Feed training of juvenile giant trahira under different light intensities

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of light intensity on the feed training of juvenile giant trahiras (Hoplias lacerdae). A completely randomized design with four light treatments and three replicates was used, and the following light intensities were tested: 204.9; 177.58; 54.64 and 0.00 lux. Juvenile giant trahiras (length = 3.0 ± 0.4 cm and weight = 0.5 ± 0.05 g) were stocked at 6 fish L-1 in 12 rectangular tanks (24 × 20 × 14 cm) containing six liters of water, and subjected to feed training to accept dry diets. At the end of the experiment (21 days), weight gain, length gain, survival, cannibalism, and mortality rates were evaluated. Data were subjected to regression analysis at 5% probability. Different light intensities did not affect growth, survival, mortality, or cannibalism rates in juvenile giant trahiras during the feed training. Therefore, this species can be trained to accept dry diets in the presence or absence of light.

Keywords

• cannibalism
• carnivorous fish
• feed training
• Hoplias lacerdae
• light