Pacu fed different fiber sources: performance, corporal composition and intestinal morphometry

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of diets containing different fiber sources on the performance, corporal composition and intestinal morphometry of pacu juveniles (Piaractus mesopotamicus). This study evaluated five isoproteic (23% digestible protein), isoenergetic (3250kcal digestible energy/kg) and isofibrous (9% crude fiber) diets, each one containing a fiber source such as soybean meal, soybean hulls, sunflower meal and citric pulp in two levels of inclusion (30 and 45%). A total of 300 pacu juveniles (25,12±0,78g) were stocked in 25 experimental aquariums (200 liters) equipped with aeration and heating system. The best growth and feed conversion results were obtained with diets containing soybean meal and sunflower meal. Diets containing soybean hulls and citrus pulp worsened the juvenile pacu performance. Moreover, only the diet containing 45% citrus pulp decreased the villous number per area in the intestinal epithelium. From the results we can conclude that some fibrous ingredient may affect juvenile pacu performance, corporal composition and intestinal epithelium characteristics.

alternative ingredients; animal nutrition; fish feeding; intestinal morphometry