Stock density, feeding, and water salinity for larval rearing of yellowtail tetra (Astyanax altiparanae)

One of the critical points in fish rearing is larviculture, a phase that requires suitable food for first feeding. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of three variables on the larviculture of the yellowtail tetra Astyanax altiparanae: 1) type of Artemia franciscana nauplii used for feeding (Fresh, frozen and freeze-dried); 2) salinity (0.2%, 0.4%, and 0.6% NaCl); and 3) stocking density (50, 100, 150, and 200 larvae/L-1). Growth and survival were evaluated over 10 days. On day 10, larvae fed with Artemia nauplii (fresh) had a higher length and survival rate when compared with other treatments (P= 0.0012). Water at 0.4% and 0.6% NaCl showed significantly (P = 0.0010) lower and no survival, respectively. Lower density (50 larvae L-1) showed the greater length (7.73 ± 0.08 mm) and the highest density (200 larvae L-1) presented the lower length (5.86 ± 0.10 mm). These results are innovative for this species, opening up new larviculture possibilities for laboratory and aquaculture purposes.