Effect of stocking density and inclusion of ascorbic acid in Osteoglossum bicirrhosum

Objective. Evaluate the effect of planting density and inclusion of ascorbic acid in grown in cages fingerlings of O. bicirrhosum. Materials and methods. 396 fingerlings were studied and distributed in nine treatments, result of the combination of planting levels factor: 1fish/5 L; 1fish/10 L and 1fish/15 L and ascorbic acid levels: 0, 500 and 1000 mg/Kg. Data were evaluated by variance analysis of 32 factorial design. Results. The planting density showed statistically significant differences in weight gain. The length increase and specific growth rate variables were not statistically different. In terms of apparent feed conversion, it was shown significant differences in the two factors: 1fish/10 L density indicated the best conversion with a value of 1.50; also, the inclusion of 1000mg ascorbic acid per Kg of feed showed the best average with 1.55. Referring to survival there was a statistical difference between treatments of 1fish/5 L density, being the best those which included ascorbic acid in the diet. Conclusions. 1fish/10 L density had the largest increase of weight 31.83 g in 87 days. The general survival was 96%, which, demonstrates the efficiency of the cropping system used, while it’s acting positively on the development of this species.