Fish of the genus Prochilodus is widely spread in South America, showing endemic characteristics in some basins. It feeds basically on organic detritus, benton organisms, and artificial feeds. The purpose of this study was to test three stocking densities (0.5, 0.75, and 1 fry/L) and diets with two different crude protein levels (35 and 40% CP) on the growth parameters and survival rate of curimbatá, Prochilodus scrofa. Larvae were stocked in 100L aquaria containing 60L, supplied with continuous water flow coming from an artesian well. There was a significant effect (P<0.05) of the 40% CP diet on growth (body weight = 1.66g ± 0.21) of fish stocked at 0.5 fry/L, at the 30th experimental day. At the 68th day, fish fed the 40% CP diet achieved the highest (P < 0.05) final body weight (2.50g ± 0.40), and fish stocked at the densities 0.5 and 0.75 fry/L showed the highest survival rate, 94.45% ± 19.32 and 78.87% ± 19.32, respectively. Our results suggest that larvae curimbata may be fed exclusively with artificial diet after nine days-old.
curimbatá; stocking density; crude protein; Prochilodus scrofa
