The objective of this work was to evaluate the stocking density over fish growth homogeneity of pirarucu (Arapaima gigas) juveniles in small volumes cages. Twelve 1 m³ netcages were used in a 120 m² earth pond consisting of three treatments (15, 20 and 25 fish/m³) with four repetitions each. Fish were stocked with an initial mean weight of 10.1<FONT FACE=Symbol>±</FONT>0.3 g and homogeneous distributed (p>0.05) between treatments. Coefficient of variation for growth and condition factor did not present significant (p>0.05) differences, contrary to consumption and apparent feed conversion (p<0.05). Consumption was inversely proportional to the increment of density, indicating that stockings densities increases are favorable to a better feed use. There were not any observed behavior differences between treatments. Juveniles pirarucu growth was not influenced by the stocking density or intraspecifics interactions.
Arapaima gigas; fishery management; fish culture
