Survival and the growth of pintado (Pseudoplatystoma corruscans) post-larvae on different salinities

The aim of this study was to evaluate the survival and growth of pintado, Pseudoplatystoma corruscans, post-larvae (PL) submitted to seven salinities: S1: 0; S2: 1.7; S3: 3.3; S4: 5; S5: 6.7; S6: 8.3 and S7: 10% distributed in a complete randomized design with three replicates. PL were stocked in 5- l round plastic containers at a density of 15 PL/liter and maintained in the dark. The water was salinized with iodine- free sodium chloride (NaCl). PL were fed six times a day with 500 Artemia sp. nauplii/PL. Survival was high up to salinity 1.7%, both on the fifth and on the tenth day of experiment, but decreased quickly in salinities above 5%. Better growth rates were observed in salinities 0 and 1.7%, however, high growth observed in freshwater was due to cannibalism. Results showed that pintado larviculture would be suitable in 1.7% salinity water.