LAUSR

The time supply of live food (Artemia nauplii) at the initial phases of development and the frequency of feeding with inert feed (egg custard) in Macrobrachium amazonicum larviculture were evaluated by two experiments: In Experiment I, newly hatched Artemia were offered to the larvae in three schedules (treatments): at 07:30 h (A07:30); at 12:00 h (A12:00) and 16:30 h (A16:30). In Experiment II, the inert food was offered in the following frequencies (treatments): twice a day at 08:00 and 17:00 h (IF2); three times a day at 08:00; 12:30 and 17:00 h (IF3) and four times a day at 08:00; 11:00, 14:00 and 17:00 h (IF4). Water quality variables (dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, salinity, NH3 + NH4, NO2 and NO3) and production variables (weight, survival and duration of larviculture) were evaluated. The feeding managements studied did not influence significantly either the water quality and production variables. The results indicated that it can be recommended, for M. amazonicum larviculture feeding management, the supply of Artemia nauplii at early morning and inert feed two times per day (early morning and late afternoon), after stage V until the metamorphosis.