Effects of feeding rate and feeding frequency on water quality and growth performance of juvenile tambaqui in a biofloc system
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v15i5.51010Keywords:
Aquaculture, Intensive production, Feed management, Feed efficiency.Abstract
Biofloc technology (BFT) stands out as a promising strategy for intensive aquaculture, where feeding rate and frequency are key management factors. This study aimed to evaluate the short-term effects of different feeding rates and feeding frequencies on water quality and growth performance of juvenile tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) during the initial rearing phase in a biofloc system over 14 days. One hundred and twenty fish (2.42 ± 0.20 g) were used, distributed in a completely randomized design, in a 2×4 factorial scheme, with three replicates. The physicochemical parameters of the water remained generally stable; however, the feeding rate influenced dissolved oxygen and nitrite, with less favorable conditions at a rate of 10%. Feeding frequency affected total ammonia nitrogen, indicating interference in nitrogen dynamics. No significant differences were observed in growth parameters between treatments. However, the feeding rate impacted feed intake and feed conversion, with the 5% rate being the most efficient. Feeding frequency did not influence growth performance, indicating physiological and feeding plasticity of the species. A feeding rate of 5% is more suitable, as it reduces environmental impacts without compromising growth.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Ríleury Guilherme dos Santos Gomes, Sharliane dos Santos Gomes, Carolyne da Costa Sadala, Francisco Vitor Batista do Nascimento, Jaizinho Oliveira Alves, Marcella Costa Radael, Gabriel Francisco de Oliveira Alves
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