We evaluated citric acid supplementation (0, 10, 20, and 30 g/kg) in plant protein‐based diets for juvenile tambaqui, Colossoma macropomum. In Experiment 1, fish (n = 160; 27.56 ± 2.73 g) were distributed in 310 L tanks (n = 16) for 80 days. Zootechnical performance, hematological parameters, and mineral composition (muscle and bones) did not differ significantly (p > .05). The inclusion of citric acid‐reduced pH of diets (p = .001) and stomach (p = .035). In Experiment 2, fish (n = 60; 48.00 ± 1.98 g) were distributed in fecal collection aquaria (200 L) for 21 days. The following were observed: a linear effect for the crude protein (p = .0004) and crude fat (p = .0037) digestibility coefficients; a quadratic effect for crude energy (p = .0037) and dry matter (p = .0004); an optimal supplementation level of 18.5 g/kg. Calcium (p = .0060) and magnesium (p = .0222) showed a linear effect, while phosphorus (p = .0001) had a quadratic effect with the 20 g/kg optimum supplementation level. To conclude, the supplementation of this organic acid in diets does not negatively affect fish nutritional status, health or welfare, and increases nutrient and mineral availability.

The tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) is a fish of primary importance in South American aquaculture, principally in the Amazon region and has a particularly unique diet in the wild. Oryza spp, or Wild rice as it is commonly known, is native to the floodplains of muddy rivers in the Amazon region. The aim of this study was to analyze the physical performance and the effects of dietary levels of Oryza spp. via the hematological parameters, total food intake, conversion efficiency, growth ratio and swimming performance of this fish. Diets containing 45% Oryza spp. induced the best performance in tambaqui. Diets containing 15% and 30% did not affect these indices, thus indicating that this amount of Oryza can be used as an alternative energy source for this important species within Brazilian aquaculture.

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The objective of this study was to characterize and compare the hematological variables (erythrogram, thrombogram, leukogram and plasma metabolites) of three cichlid species: Cichla monoculus, Cichla temensis and Cichla vazzoleri. A total of 45 specimens were captured in Balbina lake, Presidente Figueiredo, Amazonas, Brazil, with the aid of a rod and reel or hand line, with natural or artificial bait: 15 C. monoculus, 15 C. temensis and 15 C. vazzoleri. Their blood was removed by means of caudal puncture of the dorsal aorta, and hematological data were determined in accordance with methodology previously described in the literature. The erythrogram showed similarities between the species, while the thrombogram showed differences between C. vazzoleri and the other species studied (C. monoculus and C. temensis). The total leukocyte counts for C. temensis and C. vazzoleri were higher than those of C. monoculus. The predominant leukocyte in C. temensis and C. vazzoleri was lymphocytes, whereas it was monocytes in C. monoculus. The plasma metabolites showed differences between the three cichlid species, regarding their glucose, cholesterol, urea and potassium levels. It is concluded that these three species present hematological differentiation, thus indicating that they have differentiated blood-cell immune responses and plasma metabolite physiology.

This study aimed to evaluate the yields of by-products and residues and the morphometry of juvenile tambaqui Colossoma macropomum undernutrition with different levels of lysine. Diets were elaborated containing 6. 60, 9.72, 12.84, 15.96, 19.08, and 22.20 g kg -1 of total lysine, and these were fed to fish distributed in 18 tanks (310 L each one) for 90 days. Morphometric analysis, measurements of whole fish, by-products, and residues were taken and compared to each other. All variables were validated using ANOVA, Tukey's test, and quadratic regression analysis (P < 0.05). No differences were found for the morphometric variables (P > 0.05). The ratio between morphometric data for the standard and total length showed significance at levels of 9.72 and 15.96 g kg -1 (P = 0.03). The gutted fish and fillets, the protein and lipid contents of the fillets, and the weights and lengths of the intestines did not change (P > 0.05). Moisture was modified with lysine at levels of 22.20 g kg -1 (P = 0.00), and minerals, between 6.60 and 22.20 g kg -1 (P = 0.01). The increase in lysine levels in the diet led to an increase in fin weight (P = 0.00). It was concluded that the addition of lysine in the diet did not directly influence the morphometry and yields of the fish in the juvenile phase, but it did affect the fin waste and the skin by-product.