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Effect of the size of breeders stock in the fingerlings production of cichlasoma festae under semi controlled conditions in Ecuador

Abstract:

Cichlasoma festae is a continental tropical native fish of Ecuador almost unknown from its productive, reproductive and ecological characteristics. The success in reproduction is essential for the development of production and conservation programs. Thirty breeders of this species distributed in three pools or-ganized by weight were selected with the main objective of evaluating the effect of the weight of the breeding stock population on the production of fingerlings under semi controlled conditions. The phys-ical conditions of the water were adequate, and the reproduction was progressive in captivity without significant differences between pools (P > 0.05). The density was 3 m2 per breeder, and the 83.2, 119.17 y 151.67 g per breeder/m2 in pond 1 (T1), 2 (T2) and 3 (T3), respectively. The ratio of males per females was 1:2 and they were provided of live and concentrated feed during the experience. The fingerlings were collected every five days, being mean biomass of 11.14 fingerling/g of breeder weight live. Weight-ier breeders (T3 = 455 g) anticipated spawning and doubled the numerical productivity compared to those with lower weight (T1 = 249.6 g) (P < 0.05). However, the total biomass (number of fingerlings per g of breeder weight live) was homogeneous in all cases (P > 0.05). The aquaculture of native species such as C. festae represents an opportunity and alternative option for the conservation of the species, particularly where natural populations are decreasing.