Stress responses of pirarucu (Arapaima gigas) during routine aquaculture practices

Abstract

Pirarucu is an obligatory air breathing fish native to the Amazon basin. In rearing conditions it reaches up to 10 kg in one year, being one of the fish with the greatest potential for farming in the Amazon. The aim of this study was to verify stress responses in pirarucu during routine aquaculture practices. Three experiments were carried out: 1) transport; 2) crowding; and 3) exposure to ammonia. Parameters of the energy metabolism (glucose and lactate), hormonal (cortisol), and hematological (hematocrit) were analyzed. All experiments caused alterations in the physiological parameters of pirarucu. The stress responses during transport are similar to crowding. However, the magnitude of the responses to crowding was higher. Ammonia exposure does not cause an immediate alteration in the physiological parameters, with a latency period in the stress responses. From the observed results it is possible to conclude that alterations in the metabolic parameters occur during the more intense management periods and probably can be prevented adopting best management practices.