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ABSTRACT Diets with high protein levels but unbalanced amino acid (AA) profiles can lead to poor AA utilization, increasing nitrogenous compound excretion and feed costs. Our study aimed to develop a formulation strategy to maintain a balanced dietary AA profile with a low protein level for Nile tilapia juveniles without compromising growth. Fish (6.75 ± 0.07 g) were fed on one of four isoenergetic diets with varied protein concentrations and AA profiles twice daily to apparent satiation for 41 days. The trial included four dietary treatments containing either 321 (32HighLys and 32LowLys) or 292 and 222 g protein kg –1 (29BAL and 22BAL, respectively) with five replicates per diet, making a total of 20 experimental units in a completed randomized design. The growth of fish fed the 29BAL diet was not compromised; weight gain (WG) and thermal growth coefficients were similar to those fed the 32HighLys and 32LowLys diets. However, the protein gain of those fish fed the 32HighLys diet was significantly higher than that of those fed the other diets. The 22BAL diet promoted the lowest growth, and its higher protein-energy ratio led to increased body lipid content. Therefore, the formulation strategy to supply balanced dietary AA to Nile tilapia reduced digestible protein from 32 to 29 %, without compromising fish growth and allowing a 12 % decrease in the excretion of nitrogenous waste.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of supplementing feed with a functional mixture of immunomodulators, including β-glucans, nucleotides, ascorbic acid, and alpha-tocopherol, associated with a diet with lower levels of animal protein (11.5%) and higher levels of soybean meal (43.5%), on the zootechnical performance, health, hematological and immunological parameters, intestinal morphology, centesimal composition, and intestinal microbiome of juvenile Nile tilapia (initial weight 1.88 g ± 0.25 g, mean ± standard deviation). Two isocaloric and isoproteic diets (35% crude protein) were formulated, one with the inclusion of the immunostimulant functional mixture (40 kg·t−1), composed of 150 mg·kg−1 of nucleotides, 1000 mg·kg−1 of β-glucans, 1000 mg·kg−1 of ascorbic acid (vitamin C), and 20 mg·kg−1 of alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E), and another without. The combined supplementation of nucleotides, β-glucans, ascorbic acid, and alpha-tocopherol resulted in a 59.95% increase in final weight, 64% weight gain, 66% daily gain, a 21.31% decrease in feed conversion rate, and double the retention of body protein. Supplementation also improved intestinal morphology and modulated the intestinal microbiome, increasing Chao-1 diversity. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed that fish fed with both diets exhibited intact intestinal mucosal membranes. Supplementation did not alter the hematological and immunological parameters, suggesting that there was no overstimulation of the fish’s immune system. This work allows us to evaluate the effect of reducing the use of animal protein in the diets of fish, along with the effects of nucleotides, β-glucans, ascorbic acid, and alpha-tocopherol. Together, these compounds can provide fish with the necessary tools to achieve optimal health and growth.

Abstract Over the past 20 years, substantial progress has been made in improving feeds and feeding technologies for most aquaculture species. Notable improvements in feed conversion efficiency (through a better understanding of requirements and improved feed management) and ingredient sustainability (through increased capability to use a wider range of ingredients) have been achieved. While advances have been made in understanding the requirements of many of the main aquaculture species, there is still much to be done in defining requirements, especially for many of the species being farmed in the developing world. Gains in the efficiency of feeds are slowing for developed species, but potential gains are still appreciable for less developed species. There is a growing need to more precisely prescribe the required levels of essential nutrients and various additives in the diet based on age, genotype, environment, and immune status to deliver a “precision nutrition” approach to farming aquaculture species. There is still further need to diversify our ingredient options to provide greater resilience, as the sustainability of different feed ingredient sources, including possible climate change impacts, is becoming a growing issue. There is a growing demand for biocircularity in our feed ingredient supply chains. Ultimately, what is needed to sustain future feed ingredient needs are sustainable sources of cost‐effective protein, some essential amino acid additives, some omega‐3 fatty acid resources, and various minerals and vitamin additives. The increasing use of new and varied resources will ensure that food safety remains an important issue throughout the world. Feed manufacturing has evolved from a simplistic exercise to a highly complex science with state‐of‐the‐art engineering, but its application is not consistent across all sectors, as there is still widespread use of pelleting, mash, and trash fish feeding in the developing world. Similarly, feed management has also dichotomized between the developed and developing world, with a high reliance on manual skilled labor in the developing world, whereas more advanced aquaculture systems are becoming increasingly reliant on automated computer‐controlled feeding systems.

Brycon moorei is an opportunistic omnivorous species. It is not known what its nutritional requirements are at any stage of its development; this study determined the influence of diet on the zootechnical parameters and enzyme activity of these fish. In a completely randomized quintuplicate design, an ad libitum dietary protocol was applied, which included Prochilodus magdalenae larvae, Artemia salina and balanced feed with increasing inclusion levels (35 to 55% crude protein (CP)). Larvae 22 h post-hatching (HPH), with an average initial weight and length of 3.07 ± 0.69 mg and 6.069 ± 0.22 mm, respectively, were seeded at a density of 17 larvae L−1 in tanks with an effective volume of 60 L. The main zootechnical parameters, water quality and enzyme activity were analyzed with respect to the experimental diets. Significantly, the best diet was that of 45% CP when compared with the other CP levels used. Specific serum enzyme activity was found from hatching, with fluctuating values, the specific pepsin-like activity started at 111 HPH. B. moorei larvae can receive a dry diet from 124 HPH and their requirement corresponds to 48.5% CP.

ABSTRACT Protein quality is related to amino acid composition and digestibility. Accurate evaluation of apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) of nutrients in commonly used feedstuffs is paramount for formulating efficient aquafeed. ADCs of soybean meal (SBM) and poultry by-product meal (PBM) were evaluated using reference diets formulated with two types of ingredients (semi-purified [SP] and practical [P]) for juvenile Nile tilapia ( Oreochromis niloticus, Linnaeus) of the GIFT strain. Groups of 20 juveniles (65.05 ± 12.37 g) were fed twice a day to apparent satiety with one of the four experimental diets (SBM-SP, SBM-P, PBM-SP, and PBM-P) in quadruplicate for 30 days. After the last feeding, feces were collected by siphoning hourly and the ADCs of dry matter, protein, and amino acids (AAs) were calculated. Nile tilapia exhibited a high capacity to digest SBM and PBM, with most ADCs exceeding 90 %. The type of reference diet affected the ADCs of protein and AAs on the test ingredients, with the SP reference diet providing the highest ADC, mainly in SBM. Digestibility data generated with a P-type reference diet demonstrated more practical relevance than those generated with an SP-type reference diet. They can be applied in digestibility studies for Nile tilapia.

Soy lecithin (SL) is a source of phospholipids, which play a crucial role in determining cell membrane structure, fluidity, and functionality. This study investigated the effects of dietary SL on the performance, nutrient digestibility, and body composition of Nile tilapia juveniles (average initial weight 12.2 g) raised at 22 °C. The experimental diets contained increasing levels of SL (0.0, 21.0, 43.0, and 64.0 g kg−1). The best weight gain and feed efficiency occurred with 42.2 and 49.8 g kg−1 of SL inclusion, respectively, estimated through quadratic regression after 90 days of feeding. The body composition of the fish was also affected by feeding with SL, with a decrease in total body lipids and viscerosomatic and hepatosomatic indices but an increase in polyunsaturated fatty acids. A digestibility trial using only two diets (0SLD and 43SLD) revealed increased lipid and fatty acids digestibility in fish fed with 43SLD. In addition, the consumption of digestible nutrients was the highest in fish fed the diet 43SL. Therefore, SL supplementation is beneficial in fall/spring diets for Nile tilapia juveniles as it can improve growth, lipid digestibility, and body composition when supplemented within the range of 42 to 50 g kg−1 diet.

Mussel meal (species Perna perna) was evaluated as a potential feed additive for whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) diets to improve growth and cold resistance. Five experimental diets (0, 1, 2, 3 and 4% of mussel meal inclusion) were tested in quadruplicate in whiteleg shrimp, using twenty polyethylene tanks of 400 L. Each tank was stocked with 40 shrimp (3.5 ± 0.5 g), filled with seawater and kept under constant aeration and a temperature of 28.4 ± 0.4 °C. After 8 weeks, the growth and feed efficiency of the shrimp were evaluated, and a thermal shock was administered. The shrimp that were fed with the addition of 3 or 4% mussel meal in their diets showed similar results as the control (0% inclusion), while the addition of 1 or 2% mussel meal in the diet resulted in a significantly higher final weight, weight gain and relative growth rate and a lower feed conversion ratio. Further, no differences were observed in thermal shock resistance and survival among the treatments. In conclusion, mussel meal can be used as a feed additive in whiteleg shrimp diets to improve growth, and quadratic regression models indicate that the best levels of inclusion range from 1.73 to 2.00%.

ABSTRACT: The determination of nutritional requirements, based on diets administered in practice, considers physiological specificities and sustainability are essential to the development of suitable aquaculture technologies for novel fish species. The growth of jundiá (Rhamdia quelen Quoy and Gaimard) juveniles (31.54 ± 4.92 g) fed five diets comprising increasing levels of digestible protein (DP: 24, 29, 34, 39, and 44 %) and digestible energy (DE: 12.13, 13.39, 13.81, 14.64, and 15.06 MJ kg−1) with DP:DE ratios: 20, 22, 25, 27, and 29 g MJ−1, respectively, was evaluated. Each diet was fed to three groups of 25 fish for 75 days. Regression analysis showed that the different DP:DE ratios affected both growth and economic performance as well as excretion of total ammonia nitrogen. Fish fed diets with DP:DE ratios between 22 and 27 g MJ−1 achieved a higher daily weight gain, superior apparent net protein utilization, feed conversion rates, and lower feed costs. For the economically viable and environmentally friendly farming of jundiá juveniles in the initial grow–out stage (30 to 80 g average weight), the best DP:DE ratio was 25 g MJ−1 DP:DE (34.05 % DP and 13.81 MJ kg−1 DE).

Despite being a tropical species, Nile tilapia is farmed in many subtropical regions worldwide, including southern Brazil, China, and Egypt, where production is hindered during the colder months of the year. This review aimed to identify and synthesize the main aspects that affect cold tolerance in Nile tilapia. There is sufficient evidence in the literature to show that modulation of dietary lipid amount and profile, for example, adding long chain n-3 fatty acids, can be vital for improving the physiological response of fish to cold. However, outdoor studies to validate these findings are yet needed. It is also important to understand how lipid metabolism and dietary supplementation of key compounds that improve membrane function, such as phospholipids and cholesterol, affect cold tolerance in Nile tilapia. Husbandry practices, including the use of large fish, bio-floc technology, and strains more tolerant to low temperatures can also improve Nile tilapia cold tolerance; however, these factors should be investigated in combination with adequate nutrition.

Protein hydrolysates from poultry by-product (CPH) and poultry by-product plus swine liver (PHPPL) were evaluated for digestibility and attractiveness for Litopenaeus vannamei, their effect on growth as a substitute for salmon by-product meal. Initially, the apparent digestibility coefficient (ADC) of the protein hydrolysates was determined and their attractiveness was also evaluated. Subsequently, five diets with 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 % substitution of the salmon by-product meal protein by PHPPL, were evaluated. The experiment was conducted for 42 days in a clear water system. For the digestibility assay, the protein hydrolysates had high ADC for protein, dry matter, energy, and essential amino acids for L. vannamei. However, PHPPL had better digestibility results than CPH, so it was used in the growth assay. No difference in the attractiveness of the tested ingredients was observed (p ≥ 0.05). In the growth assay, survival was no different (p ≥ 0.05) among shrimp fed the different protein replacement levels. However, we observed an increase in shrimp growth with the treatment of 25 % protein replacement. Diet with 50 % protein replacement promoted growth similar to that of the control diet with a subsequent decline of up to 100 % of protein replacement. Therefore, it can be concluded that up to 25 % of dietary protein replacement with PHPPL can improve shrimp growth.

Aurantiochytrium sp. is a heterotrophic microorganism that produces docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), thus being considered as a possible replacement for fish oil in aquafeeds. We investigated the effect of Aurantiochytrium sp. meal (AM) dietary levels (0, 5, 10, 20, and 40 g kg−1) on Nile tilapia body and hepatopancreas fatty acid (FA) profile, body FA retention, somatic indices, and morphophysiological changes in the intestine and hepatopancreas, after feeding Nile tilapia juveniles (average initial weight 8.47 g) for 87 days at 22 °C. The 10AM diet was compared to a control diet containing cod liver oil (CLO), since their DHA concentration was similar. Within fish fed diets containing increasing levels of AM, there was a linear increase in n-3 FA content, especially DHA, which varied in the body (0.02 to 0.41 g 100 g−1) and hepatopancreas (0.15 to 1.05 g 100 g−1). The morphology of the intestines and hepatopancreas was positively affected in AM-fed fish. Fish fed 10AM showed less accumulation of n-3 FAs in the body and hepatopancreas when compared to fish fed CLO. Therefore, AM is an adequate substitute for fish oil in winter diets for Nile tilapia, with the supplementation of 40AM promoting the best results regarding intestine and hepatopancreas morphophysiology.

ABSTRACTThe objective of this work was to evaluate the performance of Litopenaeus vannameifed different levels (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100%) of soybean protein concentrate (63.07% crude protein, CP) to replace fish meal-by product (61.24% CP). The study was conducted in clear water in fifteen 800 L tanks equipped with aeration systems, constant heating (29 ºC), and daily water exchange (30%). Each tank was stocked with 37.5 shrimp/m3 (3.03±0.14 g). Feed was supplied four times a day, at 6% of the initial biomass, adjusted daily. After 42 days, the weight gain of shrimp fed diets with 0 and 25% protein replacement was higher than that observed in shrimp fed 100% replacement, and there were no differences among those fed the other diets. Feed efficiency and survival did not differ among shrimp fed different protein replacements. There was a negative linear trend for growth parameters and feed intake as protein replacement with soybean protein concentrate increased. Fish meal by-product can be replaced by up to 75% of soybean protein concentrate, with no harm to the growth of Pacific white shrimp.

Fish meal is widely included in animal feed because it contains ideal essential amino acids profile, it is rich in energy, essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals and with >80% apparent protein digestibility in peneid shrimp. In human nutrition, studies are investigating the inclusion of fish meal in snacks, cakes, breads and cookies, as an enrichment in calcium, phosphorus, iron, protein and, especially, omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids reduces heart diseases and have antithrombotic and anti-inflammatory properties (eicosapentaenoic acid), and are essential to the formation of brain tissue and retina in infants and are important during pregnancy and lactation (docosahexaenoic acid). Fish meal produced from fish waste is rich in minerals (phosphorus), which may cause eutrophication and impair water quality in aquaculture. The aim of this study was to reduce phosphorus content from commercial fish meal produced from waste by sifting (0.60 - 1.00 - 1.18 - 1.40 - 2.36 and 3.35mm mesh sizes). Fish meal samples were collected monthly for 24 months. Proximate composition of subsamples per mesh size was compared to the unsieved sample. Results indicate that sifting through a 0.60mm sieve total phosphorus and ash contents were reduced up to 32% and 36%, respectively, further to increase protein content up to 20%. Average composition of the subsamples was 47.04% ash, 5.56% of total phosphorus and 39.45% protein, suggesting that the residue of the fractionation may be marketed as a mineral and protein supplement.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar o método de coleta de fezes mais adequado para camarões marinhos (Litopenaeus vannamei) na determinação do coeficiente de digestibilidade aparente da proteína bruta e da matéria seca de dietas comerciais, e avaliar o efeito da suplementação de Lactobacillus plantarum na dieta sobre o coeficiente de digestibilidade aparente da proteína, da energia e da matéria seca. Foram testados três sistemas de coletas de fezes: decantação, sifonamento e dissecação dos animais. A coleta por decantação foi o sistema mais adequado para a determinação in vivo dos coeficientes de digestibilidade aparente da proteína bruta e da matéria seca das dietas, por apresentar baixo grau de lixiviação das fezes e por ser de fácil execução. Nos camarões alimentados com a dieta suplementada com L. plantarum, foi observado maior coeficiente de digestibilidade aparente da proteína (84,18±0,35%) e da energia (81,28±0,16%), quando comparado ao grupo controle (82,73±1,01 e 78,63±0,93%, respectivamente). O uso de L. plantarum como aditivo probiótico na ração pode trazer benefícios nutricionais a L. vannamei, com melhor aproveitamento dos nutrientes.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da suplementação da dieta com os probióticos Lactobacillus plantarum e Saccharomyces cerevisiae, no desempenho zootécnico, digestibilidade e na resistência à infecção por patógeno, em alevinos de tilápia-do-nilo. Foram realizados três ensaios. No primeiro, durante 55 dias, seis grupos de 30 alevinos (2,4±0,5 g) receberam suplementação com probióticos, e outros três grupos não receberam suplementação. No final desse período, no segundo ensaio, os peixes foram desafiados com Aeromonas hydrophila, e a sobrevivência foi avaliada por 96 horas. No terceiro ensaio, com oito peixes por tanque (230,0±10,0 g), avaliou-se a digestibilidade da dieta após a suplementação com os probióticos. A suplementação probiótica melhora significativamente o ganho de peso, a conversão alimentar, as taxas de retenção proteica e energética, assim como a resistência dos animais a Aeromonas hydrophila, após a infecção. A suplementação com Saccharomyces cerevisiae à dieta de tilápia-do-nilo melhora significativamente a digestibilidade da proteína, energia e matéria seca.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o desempenho zootécnico e econômico de robalo-peva (Centropomus parallelus) alimentado com seis rações práticas, contendo diferentes concentrações proteicas. As dietas foram formuladas para conter as seguintes concentrações proteicas: 375, 395, 416, 438, 473 e 490 g kg-1. Cada dieta foi fornecida até a saciedade aparente duas vezes ao dia, por 90 dias. Ao final do experimento, a composição corporal dos peixes alimentados com as diferentes dietas não diferiu significativamente. O ganho em peso variou de 2,87±0,09 a 4,74±0,02 g, da menor para a maior concentração proteica. A concentração proteica de 490 g kg-1 levou à redução de 2,86±0,13 R$ kg-1 no custo médio de alimentação, ao aumento de 97,82±4,25% no índice de eficiência econômica, e à redução de 102,91±4,58% no índice de custo. A dieta com a maior concentração proteica e a relação energia/proteína de 7,27 Mcal kg-1 promove os melhores índices zootécnicos e econômicos para juvenis de robalo-peva.

Channel catfish, a major freshwater aquaculture species in the US, is also farmed in Southern Brazil. However, apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) of nutrients in commercial feeds available in Brazil for the species are not known. This study aimed at optimizing a methodology for fecal collection and determination of apparent nutrient digestibility for catfish. Pilot trials were carried out to establish gastrointestinal transit, fish density, and time interval between fecal collections. Gastrointestinal transit of dry feed for catfish varied from 11h30 to 10h30 for 100 and 172-g fish, respectively. Average dry weight of feces produced along a six day period by 99-g fish was 0.54 g, regardless of stocking density (10, 15 or 20 fish per 98-L cage; p > 0.05). Described methodology allowed the collection of average 10.80 g feces per tank (dry weight) in three days. Feces collected at 1, 6 or 12 h had increased protein digestibility from 1 to 12 h, that is, there was increased protein leaching as the time of feces exposure to water increased. Fecal collection was optimized at 20 fish per tank and 6 h interval between collections. ADC of protein, energy, and dry matter of four commercial feeds for catfish using the indirect method with the addition of 0.5% of Cr2O3 as an inert maker was also evaluated. Crude protein contents of commercial feeds matched manufacturer's specifications but did not yielded the 28% digestible protein required for adequate channel catfish growth. The digestible protein of commercial feeds ranged from 23.3% to 25.6% and digestible energy ranged from 1177 to 1249 kJ 100 g-1 feed. It is instrumental measuring nutrient digestibility when evaluating commercial feeds.O catfish americano, espécie aquícola importante nos Estados Unidos, também é produzido no sul do Brasil. Entretanto, a digestibilidade dos nutrientes das rações disponíveis no Brazil não é conhecida. Nesse estudo otimizou-se a coleta de fezes e a determinação do coeficiente de digestibilidade aparente (CDA) para a espécie. Ensaios pilotos foram conduzidos para determinação do tempo de passagem do alimento no trato digestório, densidade dos peixes e intervalo entre coletas de fezes. O tempo de passagem variou de 11h30 a 10h30 em peixes com peso médio de 100 e 172 g, respectivamente. O peso médio (base seca) das fezes produzidas por peixes (peso médio 99 g), em seis dias, foi 0.54 g, independentemente de a densidade ser 10, 15 ou 20 peixes por gaiola (p > 0.05). Com esta metodologia foi possível coletar 10.80 g de fezes (base seca) por tanque em três dias. A digestibilidade da proteína aumentou com intervalos de coleta de fezes de 1, 6 e 12 h, indicando aumento na lixiviação deste nutriente à medida que aumentou o tempo de exposição das fezes à água. A coleta de fezes foi otimizada com 20 peixes por tanque e com 6 h de intervalo entre as coletas. Também foi avaliado o CDA para proteína, energia e matéria seca de rações comerciais para catfish, utilizando-se o método indireto com a adição de 0.5% de Cr2O3 como marcador inerte nas dietas. Os conteúdos de proteína bruta das rações comerciais foram similares às especificações dos fabricantes, mas as rações não forneceram 28% de proteína digestível, necessária para o crescimento adequado da espécie. A proteína digestível nas rações comerciais variou de 23.3% a 25.6% e a energia digestível, de 1177 a 1249 kJ 100 g-1 de ração. Ressalta-se assim a importância da determinação da digestibilidade dos nutrientes na avaliação de rações comerciais.

A exigência proteica de alevinos de dourado foi avaliada por meio de dois ensaios, e as concentrações proteicas das dietas variaram de 32,29 a 57,63% no Experimento I e de 33,93 a 53,61% no Experimento II. O peso inicial dos alevinos foi de 0,75 e 5,68 g, para os Experimentos I e II, respectivamente. As dietas foram formuladas com ingredientes semipurificados e eram isoenergéticas dentro de cada ensaio. Os peixes foram alimentados até a saciedade aparente, duas vezes ao dia (9 e 16h), durante 29 dias no Experimento I e 94 dias no Experimento II. A análise de regressão revelou aumento linear do ganho em peso com o aumento da concentração proteica no Experimento I, indicando que a exigência proteica de alevinos de dourado de 0,75 a 3,04 g foi de, pelo menos 57,6% de proteína bruta. Já no Experimento II, a concentração proteica de 45,4% foi estimada como a exigência dietética para máximo ganho em peso, pela análise de regressão polinomial. The dietary protein requirement of dourado fingerlings was evaluated by two feeding trials where the crude protein concentrations varied from 32.29 to 57.63% in trial I, and from 33.93 to 53.61% in trial II. Fingerling initial weights were 0.75 and 5.68 g, for trial I and II, respectively. Experimental diets were formulated with semipurified ingredients and were isoenergetic within each feeding trial. Fish were fed to apparent satiation, twice a day (9 and 4 p.m.), for 29 days in trial I and 94 days in trial II. Regression analysis revealed a linear increase in weight gain as the dietary protein concentration increased in Trial I, indicating that the protein requirement of dourado fingerlings from 0.75 to 3.04 g is, atleast, 57.6%. In trial II, with bigger-size fish, 45.4% crude protein was estimated as the protein requirement for maximum weight gain by polynomial regression.

The present study evaluated Nile tilapia when fed on dried duckweed in combination with commercial feed, aiming at reducing production costs. Three diets, which consisted of commercial feed (40% crude protein), dried duckweed or a combination of commercial feed and dried duckweed were fed to triplicate groups of 20 tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fingerlings. Fish weighing 3.2 ± 0.94g were stocked in nine 1-m3 net cages and fed twice a day for 50 days. The final average weights of fingerlings fed commercial feed (21.67g) and50% feed + 50% dried duckweed (19.53g) were not different (p

Desempenho de alevinos de tilapia nilótica alimentados com uma combinação de lemnas secas e ração comercial. O presente estudo avaliou a utilização de ração comercial e lemna seca no cultivo de alevinos de tilápias nilóticas com o objetivo de reduzir os custos de produção. Três dietas representadas por lemna seca, ração comercial (40% proteína bruta) e uma combinação de lemna seca e ração comercial foram fornecidas a um grupo de 20 alevinos de tilápia (Oreochromis niloticus) em triplicata. Peixes com peso médio 3,2 ± 0,94g foram estocados em nove tanques-rede com volume de 1-m3 e alimentados duas vezes ao dia durante um período de 50 dias. O peso médio final dos alevinos alimentados com ração comercial (21,67 g) e 50% ração +50% lemna seca (19,53 g) não diferiram estatisticamente (p

O presente estudo caracterizou o desenvolvimento gonadal de jundiá até a maturação sexual, quando cultivados em viveiros de terra, visando subsidiar o desenvolvimento de tecnologia de cultivo para esta espécie na região sul do Brasil. Alevinos de jundiá (peso médio 8 ± 3,73 g) foram estocados em três viveiros, na densidade de 0,6indivíduos m-2. Catorze indivíduos foram amostrados mensalmente, de setembro de 2001 a outubro de 2002. Os estádios de maturação gonadal foram caracterizados macroscopicamente, e fragmentos de ovários e testículos de alguns exemplares foram fixados em formalina 4% para análise histológica. Foram analisados 118 exemplares: 60 machos e 58 fêmeas. Os machos apresentaram atividade reprodutiva precoce, quandocomparados às fêmeas. Testículos e ovários apresentaram morfologia similar a de outras espécies de Siluriformes. De acordo com a análise microscópica, as gônadas foram classificadas em quatro estádios de desenvolvimento: imaturo, em maturação inicial, em maturação final e maduro. A relação gonadossomática variou de 0,29 a 9,16 para os machose de 0,11 a 13,03 para as fêmeas. Indivíduos maduros foram observados nos meses de verão (dezembro/2001 e janeiro/2002), outono (abril e maio/2002) e primavera (setembro e outubro/2002), acompanhando o aumento de temperatura.The study characterized the gonadal development of jundiá from approximately 8 g until gonadal maturation, to provide further knowledge for farming jundiá in Southern Brazil. Jundiá fingerlings(average weight 8.00 ± 3.73 g) were stocked in three ponds at 0.6 fish m-2. Fourteen fish were sampled each month from September 2001 to October 2002. Gonadal maturation stages were characterized macroscopically, and samples of ovaries and testicles were fixedin 4-%-buffered formalin for histological examination. One hundred and eighteen fish were analyzed: 60 males e 58 females. Jundiá males matured earlier than females. Testicles and ovaries presented similar morphology to other Siluriformes species. Gonads were classified in four development phases of the ovarian follicle, according to histology: immature, initial maturation, final maturation and mature. The gonadosomatic index varied from 0.29 to 9.16 for males and from 0.11 to 13.03 for females. Mature individuals were observed during summer (December/2001 and January/2002), fall (April and May/2002) and spring (September and October/2002), following the increase in water temperature.

Com objetivo de avaliar a influência da freqüência alimentar no ganho de peso, na taxa de crescimento específico, na conversão alimentar e na sobrevivência de juvenis de jundiá, 12 grupos de 280 peixes (7,47 ± 1,73 g) foram estocados em viveiros de terra (2 peixes/m²). Uma dieta comercial extrusada, com 42% de PB, foi fornecida até a aparente saciedade em quatro regimes de arraçoamento: 1, 2, 3 e 4 vezes ao dia, em triplicata, durante 120 dias (maio a setembro de 2003). O ganho de peso médio foi determinado por meio de biometrias (10% da população) realizadas em intervalos de aproximadamente 40 dias. A qualidade da água foi monitorada durante o período experimental para obtenção das médias de temperatura, oxigênio dissolvido, pH, transparência, amônia, alcalinidade e dureza: 18,1 ± 0,1ºC, 7,9 ± 0,2 mg/L, 8,0 ± 0,8, 109 ± 29 cm, 0,5 mg/L, 46 mg/L CaCO3 e 40 mg/L CaCO3, respectivamente. O ganho de peso e a taxa de crescimento específico dos juvenis aumentaram com o aumento da freqüência alimentar. O ganho de peso e a taxa de crescimento específico diferiram entre os juvenis alimentados 1 e 4 vezes/dia. Os valores de conversão alimentar não diferiram significativamente entre as freqüências alimentares, porém, a sobrevivência foi significativamente maior no grupo de peixes alimentados 3 vezes/dia, em comparação àqueles alimentados 1 vez/dia. Recomenda-se a alimentação de juvenis de jundiá (8 a 45 g) pelo menos 2 vezes/dia quando cultivados em temperatura média da água de 18ºC.The influence of feeding frequency was evaluated on weight gain, specific growth rate, feed conversion and survival of jundiá juveniles. Twelve groups of 280 fish (7.47 ± 1.73 g) were each stocked in twelve ponds (2 fish/m²) and fed to apparent satiety an extruded commercial feed containing 42% CP In four feeding schedules: 1, 2, 3 and 4 times a day, in triplicate, for 120 days (May to September, 2003). Average weight gain was recorded by sampling 10% of the total fish/pond approximately every forty days. Water quality was monitored throughout the experimental period by measuring temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, turbidity, ammonia, alkalinity and hardness which were 18.1 ± 0.1ºC, 7.9 ± 0.2 mg/L, 8.0 ± 0.8, 109 ± 29 cm, 0.5 mg/L, 46 mg/L CaCO3, and 40 mg/L CaCO3, respectively. Fish weight gain and specific growth rate increased as feeding frequency increased. Juveniles fed four times a day showed significantly higher weight gain and specific growth rate than fish fed just once a day. Feed conversion did not differ significantly among feeding frequencies, however survival was significantly higher for the groups fed three times a day when compared to the ones fed only once a day. Therefore, jundiá juveniles weighing from 8 to 45 g should be fed at least twice a day, when raised in earthen ponds at an average water temperature of 18ºC.

No intuito de minimizar as perdas provocadas na produção de alevinos de jundiá devido à alta susceptibilidade destes ao ictio, foi testada a suplementação (0, 250, 500, 1000 e 2000 mg kg-1) de ácido ascórbico monofosfatado em uma ração prática. Cada dieta foi fornecida a quatro grupos de peixes (peso inicial 9,21 ± 0,26 g), durante 45 e 60 dias.Após a biometria final realizou-se a infestação experimental por ictio e depois de 8 dias avaliou-se o grau de infestação dos peixes. Não houve efeito significativo (p>0,05) das concentrações de vitamina C na dieta e/ou duração do período de alimentação sobre o grau de infestação por ictio, sobrevivência e crescimento dos alevinos de jundiá. Os resultados obtidos e os procedimentos definidos para a infestação experimental e avaliação do grau de infestação dos jundiás serão úteis em estudos futuros que visem avaliar a influência destaimportante vitamina sobre a susceptibilidade do jundiá ao ictio.In order to minimize the losses caused in the production of jundiá fingerlings because of its high susceptibility to ich, dietary supplementation (0, 250, 500, 1000 and 2000 mg kg-1) of ascorbic acidmonophosphate was tested. Each diet was fed to four groups of fish (initial average weight 9.21 ± 0.26 g), during 45 and 60 days. At the end of the feeding period ich challenge was performed, and eight days later the fingerlings level of infection was assessed. The dietaryvitamin C concentration and/or the feeding period did not affect significantly (p>0.05) the infection level by ich, survival and growth of the jundiás. The results obtained and the methodologies defined here for experimental infection and for evaluation of jundiá level of infection will be useful in future studies that also aim at verifying the influence of this important vitamin on the susceptibility of jundiá to ich.

Foram determinados os coeficientes de digestibilidade aparente da MS, proteína e energia de cinco ingredientes (farelo de soja, glúten de milho, farinha de resíduo de peixe, quirera de arroz e milho) para juvenis de jundiá, Rhamdia quelen (78,5 ± 9 g). A digestibilidade foi estimada pelo método indireto, utilizando-se óxido de crômio na concentração de 0,5% da dieta como indicador, efetuando-se a coleta de fezes a cada 4 horas por sedimentação. Entre os ingredientes testados, os maiores coeficientes de digestibilidade foram obtidos para o glúten de milho (95,0% para proteína, 88,0% para energia e 82,2% para MS) e os menores para o milho (73,0% para proteína, 59,1% para energia e 57,2% para MS). Os demais ingredientes apresentaram valores intermediários de digestibilidade. Obtiveram-se, para o ingrediente energético quirera de arroz, valores de 80,7% para proteína, 64,8% para energia e 60,5% para a MS, enquanto, para os ingredientes protéicos farelo de soja e farinha de resíduo de peixe, os coeficientes de digestibilidade foram, respectivamente, de 88,6 e 77,7% para a proteína, 76,5 e 74,8% para a energia e 73,3 e 58,6% para a MS. Os resultados deste estudo demonstram que juvenis de jundiá, apesar do hábito alimentar onívoro, têm grande capacidade de digerir ingredientes protéicos e relativa dificuldade de digerir ingredientes energéticos, sugerindo que este peixe é onívoro com tendência à carnivoria.The apparent digestibility coefficients of DM, protein and energy of five ingredients (soybean meal, corn gluten meal, fish meal, broken rice and ground corn) were determined for jundia juveniles (78.5 ± 9 g). The indirect method was adopted for nutrient digestibility estimate. Chromium oxide (0.5%) was added to the diet as marker, and feces were collected by sedimentation every four hours. Among all tested ingredients, corn gluten meal showed the highest apparent digestibility coefficients (95.0% of protein, 88.0% of energy and 82.2% of DM), while ground corn showed the lowest apparent digestibility coefficients (73.0% of protein, 59.1% of energy and 57.2% of DM). The other ingredients showed intermediary results. The broken rice (high energy ingredient) showed 80.7% of protein, 64.8% of energy and 60.5% of DM, while the soybean meal and fish processing waste meal (high protein ingredient) showed 88.6 and 77.7%, respectively, for protein digestibility. The energy digestibility for the same ingredients were 76.5 and 74.8%, while for DM were 73.3 and 58.6%. The results show that jundia juveniles, although presenting an omnivorous feeding habit, is able to digest high protein ingredients better than high energy ingredients, suggesting that this species is an omnivore with carnivorous tendency.

Jundiá, Rhamdia quelen (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824), is a catfish native to Central and South America. The species has a number of excellent farming features, such as easy handling, low temperature resistance, efficient feed conversion, flavorsome meat and absence of intramuscular bones, and has been increasingly raised in Southern Brazil. However, most of its nutritional requirements have not yet been determined, including the essential amino acid (EAA) requirements. The objective of the present study was to estimate such requirements through the determination of muscle tissue amino acid composition for four groups of jundiá. Two groups were wild caught and allocated in two categories: from 1 to 100 g and from 101 to 200 g. The other two groups, obtained from artificial propagation, were differentiated by the diet they had been fed for three months preceding sampling (one diet containing 38% crude protein, CP, and 3,200 kcal kg-1 estimated metabolizable energy, ME, and other with 34% CP and 3,650 kcal kg-1 ME). Similar amino acid compositions were obtained for all groups. An estimate of jundiá daily EAA requirements was made using jundiá muscle tissue composition and also taking into account the average EAA requirement for other omnivorous species such as channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus, Rafinesque, 1818), Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus, Linnaeus, 1758) and common carp (Cyprinus carpio, Linnaeus, 1758) . The estimated requirements proposed could help formulating diets for jundiá until dietary EAA dose-response experiments are performed.O jundiá, Rhamdia quelen (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824), é um bagre de ampla ocorrência nas Américas do Sul e Central e atualmente vem sendo criado na Região Sul do Brasil por ser uma espécie de fácil manejo, resistente ao frio e eficiente na conversão de alimento, além de apresentar carne saborosa e sem espinhos intramusculares. Apesar disso, muitas das exigências nutricionais desta espécie ainda não foram investigadas, dentre elas as exigências em aminoácidos essenciais (AAE). Desta maneira, o presente estudo propôs estimar estas exigências em AAE a partir da composição em AAE do tecido muscular desta espécie. Para tanto, foi determinada a composição em aminoácidos do tecido muscular de quatro grupos de jundiá, dois provenientes da natureza, diferenciados por duas faixas de peso (1 a 100 g e 101 a 200 g), e outros dois provenientes de criações, diferenciados pela dieta a que foram submetidos nos três meses antecedentes à coleta (uma contendo 38% de proteína bruta, PB, e 3200 kcal kg-1 de energia metabolizável estimada, EM, e outra contendo 34% PB e 3650 kcal kg-1 EM). A composição em aminoácidos foi similar entre todos os grupos analisados e, a partir delas, a exigência dietética em cada aminoácido essencial foi estimada levando-se em conta a exigência média de outras espécies onívoras, tais como o bagre do canal (Ictalurus punctatus Rafinesque, 1818), a tilápia nilótica (Oreochromis niloticus, Linnaeus, 1758) e a carpa comum (Cyprinus carpio, Linnaeus, 1758). Até que sejam realizados experimentos de dose-resposta para a determinação das exigências em AAE com o jundiá, sugere-se a utilização da estimativa aqui proposta para auxiliar na formulação de dietas.

Foi conduzido um estudo para avaliar o efeito do sistema de cultivo na composição corporal de juvenis de tambaqui e matrinxã, quando cultivados em sistema intensivo, em canal de igarapé, e em sistema semi-intensivo, em viveiros. Foram usados juvenis de tambaqui e matrinxã com comprimento e peso médio inicial de 15,4 cm e 88,3 g e 23,4 cm e 219,4 g, respectivamente. Os juvenis de cada espécie foram estocados a uma densidade de 10 e 1 peixe/m³ no sistema intensivo e semi-intensivo, respectivamente. O período experimental foi de 170 dias e os peixes foram alimentados duas vezes ao dia, até aparente saciedade, com ração extrusada comercial contendo 30% de proteína bruta. A análise da composição corporal de peixe inteiro e filé de tambaqui e matrinxã demostrou que houve menor deposição de gordura e maior retenção de proteína nos peixes cultivados no sistema intensivo, em canal de igarapé, do que naqueles cultivados no sistema semi-intensivo, em viveiros. O desempenho das espécies foi diferenciado dependendo do sistema de cultivo: o tambaqui apresentou diferenças significativas no ganho em peso, sendo este 3,0 vezes maior no sistema semi-intensivo, enquanto o matrinxã não apresentou diferenças significativas no ganho em peso nos dois sistemas de cultivo.

O objetivo do presente estudo foi determinar a exigência protéica e correspondente relação energia/proteína em dietas para alevinos de piracanjuba, Brycon orbignyanus. Seis dietas semi-purificadas isocalóricas foram formuladas para conter 3.000 kcal de energia metabolizável (EM)/kg e concentrações de proteína bruta (PB) de 24, 26, 29, 32, 36 e 42%. Para essas concentrações, as relações E/P das dietas foram de 12,3; 11,6; 10,4; 9,2; 8,5 e 7,1 kcal EM/g PB, respectivamente. As fontes de proteína, lipídios e carboidratos digestíveis foram, respectivamente, caseína/gelatina, óleo de fígado de bacalhau/óleo de soja e dextrina. Após condicionamento de cinco dias, as dietas foram fornecidas, até a saciedade, em duas alimentações diárias, a 162 alevinos (27 peixes/dieta), que apresentaram 8,38 ± 0,09 g de peso médio inicial, distribuídos em 18 tanques de fibra-de-vidro de 100 L, conectados a um sistema de recirculação de água. A temperatura média da água foi de 26,3°C, com extremos de 23,7 e 30,2°C. Após 90 dias, a concentração de proteína na dieta que proporcionou ganho em peso máximo aos peixes foi 29% PB, com relação E/P igual a 10,4 kcal EM/g PB. As dietas com concentrações de PB iguais a 32, 36 e 42% não se mostraram superiores para conversão alimentar, taxa de eficiência protéica, valor produtivo da proteína e retenção de energia bruta. A deposição corporal de proteína e gordura não sofreu influência da concentração de PB da dietaThe aim of this study was to determine the dietary protein requirement and associated energy to protein (E/P) ratio for "Piracanjuba", Brycon orbignyanus, fingerlings. Casein-gelatin semipurified diets were formulated to contain six crude protein (CP) concentrations: 24, 26, 29, 32, 36 e 42% at one energy level, 3,000 kcal metabolizable energy (ME)/kg. These diets resulted in E/P ratios of 12.3, 11.6, 10.4, 9.2, 8.5 and 7.1 kcal ME/g CP, respectively. The protein, lipid and digestible carbohydrate sources were casein/gelatin, cod liver oil/soybean oil and dextrin, respectively. After an initial 5-day conditioning period, each experimental diet was fed to satiation, twice a day, to 8.38 ± 0.09 g piracanjuba fingerlings (n = 27), housed in eighteen 100-L fiberglass tanks connected to a water recirculating system, and kept at 26.3°C average water temperature (range: 23.7 to 30.2°C). After 90 days, the lowest dietary CP level that produced maximum fish weight gain was 29% CP with associated E/P ratio of 10.4 kcal ME/g CP. Higher dietary CP levels, i.e., 32, 36 and 42% did not improve 29% CP feed conversion, protein efficiency ratio, apparent net protein utilization and gross energy retained. Whole-body fish composition (total lipid and protein concentration) was not affected by the dietary CP level

The immune modulatory activity of diet long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in fish has been previously demonstrated, although results for freshwater species are controversial. This study evaluates the effect of different dietary lipids on freshwater catfish jundiá, Rhamdia quelen, survival and its non-specific response (phagocytosis) after being inoculated with the pathogen Aeromonas hydrophila. Five diets were offered to jundiá fingerlings during 150 days prior to challenge: cod liver oil (FO), sunflower oil (SO), linseed oil (LO), canola oil (CO) and coconut oil (CNO). Accumulated mortality was significantly lower in fish fed FO and CNO diets and higher in fish fed LO. In spite of the highest values observed for phagocytotic activity in CNO-fed fish (50.0 + 12.7%) and in FO-fed fish (45.0 + 10.5%) when compared to those fed other diets, no significant differences in phagocytosis were reported. Results show the relevance of a balanced dietary lipid source with adequate concentrations of n-3 and n-6 series of fatty acids to prevent mortality after pathogen challenge.

A exigência proteica de alevinos de dourado foi avaliada por meio de dois ensaios, e as concentrações proteicas das dietas variaram de 32,29 a 57,63% no Experimento I e de 33,93 a 53,61% no Experimento II. O peso inicial dos alevinos foi de 0,75 e 5,68 g, para os Experimentos I e II, respectivamente. As dietas foram formuladas com ingredientes semipurificados e eram isoenergéticas dentro de cada ensaio. Os peixes foram alimentados até a saciedade aparente, duas vezes ao dia (9 e 16h), durante 29 dias no Experimento I e 94 dias no Experimento II. A análise de regressão revelou aumento linear do ganho em peso com o aumento da concentração proteica no Experimento I, indicando que a exigência proteica de alevinos de dourado de 0,75 a 3,04 g foi de, pelo menos 57,6% de proteína bruta. Já no Experimento II, a concentração proteica de 45,4% foi estimada como a exigência dietética para máximo ganho em peso, pela análise de regressão polinomial

Este estudo teve como objetivo principal avaliar o potencial do jundiá, Rhamdia quelen, e do dourado, Salminus brasiliensis, para exploração em aqüicultura no Sul do Brasil. Para tanto, a velocidade de crescimento, conversão alimentar, diferença de crescimento entre machos e fêmeas, resistência ao manejo e sobrevivência destas espécies foram avaliadas. Alevinos destas duas espécies foram estocados em viveiros de terra, em dois municípios de Santa Catarina: Santo Amaro da Imperatriz (SA) e São Carlos (SC). Estes foram alimentados com dietas comerciais, duas vezes ao dia, até a saciedade aparente. Após 365 (jundiás) e 605 (dourados) dias, os jundiás apresentaram um ganho em peso diário (GPD) de 1,00g e 1,97g e conversão alimentar de 1,85 e 1,78, em SA e SC, respectivamente, enquanto os dourados um GPD de 0,46g e 0,51g e conversão de 3,52 e 3,82, em SA e SC, respectivamente. Em SA, foram detectadas diferenças em GPD, fator de condição e índice gônado-somático entre machos e fêmeas. Fatores como densidade de estocagem, tamanho de viveiro e proporção sexual são discutidos para as duas espécies.

O presente estudo caracterizou o desenvolvimento gonadal de jundiá até a maturação sexual, quando cultivados em viveiros de terra, visando subsidiar o desenvolvimento de tecnologia de cultivo para esta espécie na região sul do Brasil. Alevinos de jundiá (peso médio 8 ± 3,73 g) foram estocados em três viveiros, na densidade de 0,6 indivíduos m-2. Catorze indivíduos foram amostrados mensalmente, de setembro de 2001 a outubro de 2002. Os estádios de maturação gonadal foram caracterizados macroscopicamente, e fragmentos de ovários e testículos de alguns exemplares foram fixados em formalina 4% para análise histológica. Foram analisados 118 exemplares: 60 machos e 58 fêmeas. Os machos apresentaram atividade reprodutiva precoce, quando comparados às fêmeas. Testículos e ovários apresentaram morfologia similar a de outras espécies de Siluriformes. De acordo com a análise microscópica, as gônadas foram classificadas em quatro estádios de desenvolvimento: imaturo, em maturação inicial, em maturação final e maduro. A relação gonadossomática variou de 0,29 a 9,16 para os machos e de 0,11 a 13,03 para as fêmeas. Indivíduos maduros foram observados nos meses de verão (dezembro/2001 e janeiro/2002), outono (abril e maio/2002) e primavera (setembro e outubro/2002), acompanhando o aumento de temperatura.

No intuito de minimizar as perdas provocadas na produção de alevinos dejundiá devido à alta susceptibilidade destes ao ictio, foi testada a suplementação (0, 250, 500,1000 e 2000 mg kg-1) de ácido ascórbico monofosfatado em uma ração prática. Cada dietafoi fornecida a quatro grupos de peixes (peso inicial 9,21 ± 0,26 g), durante 45 e 60 dias. Após a biometria final realizou-se a infestação experimental por ictio e depois de 8 diasavaliou-se o grau de infestação dos peixes. Não houve efeito significativo (p>0,05) dasconcentrações de vitamina C na dieta e/ou duração do período de alimentação sobre o graude infestação por ictio, sobrevivência e crescimento dos alevinos de jundiá. Os resultados obtidos e os procedimentos definidos para a infestação experimental e avaliação do grau deinfestação dos jundiás serão úteis em estudos futuros que visem avaliar a influência destaimportante vitamina sobre a susceptibilidade do jundiá ao ictio.

Knowledge about gonad fatty acid composition is important for broodstock diet formulation. This study characterized ovary fatty acid composition of wild female jundiá catfish (Rhamdia quelen) in their different gonadal maturation stages. Female jundiá (n = 36, average weight= 383.8 + 208.8 g) were captured in the rio Uruguay, comprising all seasons. Ovaries were extracted and classified according to their gonadal maturation stage. Gonad-somatic ratio varied significantly among seasons, being higher in spring (3.7), followed by summer (2.2), winter (0.9) and autumn (0.6). Main fatty acids groups detected were: saturated (SFA= 35.5%), monounsaturated (MUFA= 28.1%) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA= 33.5%). Over the four seasons, palmitic acid was recorded in large quantities, followed by docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (ARA). ARA was present in higher concentrations in immature or maturing ovaries, and its content decreased along the maturation process. Conversely, DHA and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) contents increased during maturation. Such variation resulted in an increase in EPA/ARA and DHA/ARA ratios in mature gonads, which can be important for successful breeding. Such findings suggest that jundiá broodstock diets should contain lipids that provide long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids from both the n-3 and n-6 series to ensure gonadal maturation completion.

Sulfated polysaccharides (SPs), especially those with immunostimulant effects on shrimp and fish, are bioactive compounds with potential use in aquaculture. In this study, Pacific white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) were fed diets containing 0%, 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, or 2.0% crude extracts from the microalga Porphyridium cruentum for 30 days. After dietary supplementation, the shrimp were exposed to Vibrio alginolyticus, allowing the assessment of phenoloxidase activity (PO) and total hemocyte count (THC) pre- and post-challenge, as well as shrimp survival rates. Shrimp that received the 1.0% treatment had greater survival (90%) at 48 h post-challenge, while the 0% and 2.0% treatments had survival rates close to 63% in the same period. Furthermore, at 48 h post-challenge, THC was significantly greater (p < 0.05) in the shrimp that received crude extract supplementation compared to that in shrimp of the control group (0%). PO showed a proportional increase according to crude extract inclusion levels. Such dose-dependency in response to PO increases became significantly greater (p < 0.05) in the 2.0% treatment group compared to that in the 0% treatment group in the pre-challenge period and that in the 0% and 0.5% treatment groups in the post-challenge period. These results showed that crude extracts from P. cruentum could be considered immunostimulants by increasing the resistance of P. vannamei exposed to V. alginolyticus, potentially representing a major breakthrough for marine shrimp farming.