Growth performance of three pejerrey genetic groups in intensive culture system

Abstract

This study examined the growth performance of Odontesthes bonariensis, O. humensis and hybrid (O. bonariensis X O. humensis) in intensive culture system for a period of 180 days, using the body weight (W), total length (Lt), condition factor (CF), allometric coefficient (b), specific growth rate (SGR) and estimates of body weight and maximum total length (Wmax, Ltmax) as indicators. Fish were randomly selected from three genetic groups (Bonariensis, Humensis and Hybrid), divided into water recirculation system consisting of 12 tanks (50 L). 12 measurements of body weight and total length (0, 2, 7, 14, 21, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, 120, 180 days) were taken by means of a random sample of 10 subjects per replicate. All genetic groups grew in weight and length over the period analyzed, being influenced by the genetics of each species. O. bonariensis showed the best performance in growth and hybrid fish showed intermediate growth and estimated maximum body weight exceeding the pure species. Based on these results, it would be helpful the selective breeding and formation of domesticated strains.