South American fish for continental aquaculture

Abstract

The South American continent is known for its high production and exports in fisheries and aquaculture, but has not reached its full potential in fish farming. The latest data on fish production in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela were explored in this review. Aspects of biology, production, market and health of the species most produced in South America are described in detail. These species include the round fish (Colossoma spp., Piaractus spp. and hybrids) and catfish (Pseudoplatystoma spp. and hybrids), in addition to the promising pirarucu Arapaima gigas, yellowtail tetra Astyanax altiparanae and silver catfish Rhamdia quelen. Among the countries mentioned, Chile and Brazil are two of the largest intensive fish producers in the world. Chile relies primarily on marine fish, whereas Brazil is prominent for continental production. Special emphasis is given to the black pacu Colossoma macropomum because it is a commonly farmed fish in South American countries and offers several desirable productive characteristics (domesticated, omnivorous and easy to reproduce). Furthermore, this fish has the greatest potential to compete economically with tilapia production in South America. The production of native fish is currently overtaking the production of exotic species in some countries, which is considered a milestone for South American aquaculture. Regarding diseases, the main pathogens are similar to those observed throughout the world, such as Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, different species of monogeneans and trichodinids, and the bacteria Aeromonas hydrophila. Local pathogens, such as the parasites Perulernaea gamitanae and Goezia spinulosa, are also concerning.

Molecular detection of Francisella noatunensis subsp. orientalis in cultured Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.) in three Brazilian states

“…The Continental Aquaculture in Brazil along with the salmon farming in Chile makes these countries the major producers of fish in captivity in South America (Brasil ). In Brazilian aquaculture, the most cultivated species are Nile tilapia ( Oreochromis niloticus L.) and black pacu ( Colossoma macropomum , Cuvier 1816) followed by the hybrid black pacu × pacu ( C. macropomum × Piaractus mesopotamicus ), the common carp ( Cyprinus carpio L.), pacu ( P. mesopotamicus, Holmberg 1887), catfish ( Pseudoplatystoma sp, Agassiz 1829) and its hybrids, accordingly to Valladão, Gallani & Pilarski .…”

A network meta‐analysis of threats to South American fish biodiversity

“…In fashioning romantic scenarios about South America (e.g., Valladão et al., ), Brazil points to the establishment of aquaculture as a central commodity (Lima Junior et al., ; Pelicice et al., ). The exploitation “below acceptable levels” defended by some authors (e.g., Saint‐Paul, ) generated a coordinated market that promoted the exponential multiplication of net cages in fresh waters, despite opposing scientific evidence, such as discussed by other authors (e.g., Alves, Vieira, Magalhães, & Brito, ; Lima Junior et al., ; Pelicice et al., ).…”

“…In South America, hybridization was earlier focused on the ornamental fish species, imitating the natural hybridization of atherinids (Somoza et al., ) and cyprinids (Hubbs, Zoology, & Mar, ). Now, it is broadly applied to maximize the profits of fish farms (Hashimoto, Senhorini, Foresti, & Porto‐Foresti, ; Valladão et al., ; Vitule, Freire, & Simberloff, ). By observing the success of non‐native fish in net cages, decision‐makers encouraged new introductions (Lima Junior et al., ), and fish farmers answered with novel and dangerous non‐native species (Garcia et al., ), including hybrids (Saint‐Paul, ).…”

Effects of a nanoemulsion with Copaifera officinalis oleoresin against monogenean parasites of Colossoma macropomum: A Neotropical Serrasalmidae

“…Colossoma macropomum Cuvier 1816 (tambaqui) is a fish of the family Serrasalmidae that can reach more than one metre in length and up to 30 kg in its natural environment. It is economically important in the Amazon region, and there is high demand for it in Brazil, such that around 140,000 tons were produced through aquaculture in 2015 (IBGE, ; Valladão, Gallani, & Pilarski, ). However, its fish stocks are under high fishery pressure, and it has become extinct in some localities in Amazon (Araújo‐Lima & Goulding, ; Benetton & Malta, ; Godoi, Engracia, Lizama, & Takemoto, ; Gomes et al., ).…”