The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of salt (NaCl) on physiological responses and monogenean control in tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum). Juveniles of tambaqui (42.38 ± 0.47 g; 13.90 ± 0.06 cm) were transferred to 350L tanks and acclimated for a period of 24 hours. The assays were conducted using the concentrations of 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 g of NaCl L-1 of water, exposed to 30, 60 and 120 minutes, with three replicates in each treatment. The tambaqui tolerance to salt and the efficacy against monogenean were evaluated by physiological analysis (glucose, chloride, sodium and potassium plasmatic concentrations) and parasitic indices (total number of parasites and prevalence). Tambaquis exposed to 4 g NaCl L-1 for 120 minutes, 6 and 8 g NaCl L-1 for 60 and 120 minutes showed increased glucose levels while those exposed to 8 g NaCl L-1 for 120 minutes presented increased chloride levels. The prevalence of monogeneans in the gills of tambaqui was 100% and the salt concentrations evaluated in this study were not effective in the reduction of monogenean parasites.
stress; physiology; fish health; monogeneans; fish culture
