Abstract

COMOLLI, J; ROUX, J.P; SANCHEZ, S  and  HERNANDEZ, D. Engorde de bagres (Rhamdia quelen) en sistema de cultivo intensivo por sexos separados. Rev. vet. [online]. 2013, vol.24, n.2, pp.113-118. ISSN 1669-6840.

The South American catfish (ramdiá or jundiá) is characterized by a fast growth during the first months of life, and an important difference of development between sexes. Female reaches 30% more living weight than males, because the latter become sexually mature faster. The aim of this study was to analyze the fattening of Rhamdia quelen by separated sexes in an intensive system. Three treatments were made: TA- female, TB- mix and TC- male. Fattening was carried out in 30 l plastics boxes. Eighty one specimens were used, with an average weight of 49.30 g for female and 42.90 g for male. Nine fishes per box were distributed at a density of 300 fishes/m³. The essay lasted 60 days. Analyzed variables were: specific growth coefficient, daily food intake, feed conversion rate, survival rate, total biomass produced, head percentage, carcass performance (RC), and gonadosomatic index (IGS). No significant differences were found among treatments for the studied variables (p>0.05). By comparing the variables between sexes, it was found that RC and IGS from TA had significant differences compared to TB, with average values of 89.47 and 2.35% versus 88.01 and 3.79% respectively. RC values were similar to those of other authors, but IGS were lower, particularly in females. Females from TA had lower values of IGS and better performance values of RC than the females from TB. These results may suggest that better RC values due to lower IGS can be obtained when females and males are grown separately. Physical sex separation of R. quelen during the fattening stage produces a better carcass performance in females because of their decreased gonadosomatic index. In contrast, these changes were not found in males.

Keywords : Rhamdia quelen; South American catfish; Nutrition; Carcass performance; Gonadosomatic index.

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