EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE ON THE GROWTH, BIOMASS PRODUCTION AND ENERGY METABOLISM OF Poecilia reticulata (Peters, 1860)

• DOI: 10.37572/EdArt_0812257343

• Palavras-chave: Ecophysiology; culture; management; optimization; P; reticulata.

• Keywords: Ecophysiology; culture; management; optimization; P; reticulata.

• Abstract:

  The ornamental fish market is in expansion worldwide, making it essential to promote research in Mexico on the ecophysiology of ornamental species to improve their controlled production systems. Therefore, this research focused on evaluating the effect of temperature on the growth and energy metabolism (EM) of guppies. P. reticulata fry was obtained from a controlled spawning, homogenized, and randomly assigned to treatments. Based on initial weight, the feed ration supplied was 7% of body weight/day and administered at two times: 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM. Commercial feed with 32% protein was used. The research employed a fixed-effects factorial design: 20 and 24 ± 1°C with two replicates (n=10), and measured at (T 0 , T 15d , T 31d , and T 45d ), and it was analyzed using ANOVA. Growth curves and biomass production were calculated, and at the end of the experimental phase, the fish's energy expenditure (VO 2 /g.PH/day) was measured using a semi-open respirometer, considering the variation in body weight of the sample to calculate the relationship between energy expenditure and body weight. Water quality was evaluated daily using a multiparameter digital meter. Significant effects were obtained for temperature, time, and interaction (p < 0.000). The average effect of temperature on growth was 1.78 times greater at 24°C and biomass production was twice in the high temperature. Growth curves differed significantly between temperatures (p < 0.001), and hierarchies were detected from the third biometry measurement onward (day 30). The final size and weight distribution showed positive skewness, with a greater effect at 24°C. Energy expenditure was negatively correlated with body weight (p < 0.001) but did not differ significantly between temperatures (p = 0.84). The results obtained have a direct application in the controlled management of the species for commercial exploitation purposes.

• Número de páginas: 7