PRODUCTION PERFORMANCE OF CACHARA AND HYBRID CACHAPINTA

This study aimed to compare the growth performance of surubins (cachara Pseudoplatystoma reticulatum and hybrid cachapinta P. reticulatum x Pseudoplatystoma corruscans) produced in cages. The experiment had a randomized design with two treatments and three replicates, with one cage comprising an experimental unit, i.e., six cages in total. Fingerlings of the two genetic groups (cachara and hybrid cachapinta) were fed twice a day with extruded feed for carnivorous fishes. After 216 days of production, the growth parameters were evaluated, including total length, final weight, final biomass, biomass gain, survival, and apparent feed conversion values. No differences were found between cachara and cachapinta in the variables analyzed. In conclusion, cachara and cachapinta produced in cages exhibit the same growth performances.