Inclusão de própolis na dieta de acará do congo, Archocentrus nigrofasciatus (Günther, 1867)

Abstract

This work aimed to analyze the zootechnical performance and lipid peroxidation of ornamental fish, fed with diets containing propolis inclusion. The experimental period was 56 days, using 45 convict cichlid with 60 days of age and initial weigth ± 0.83g, kept in nine aquariums. The experiment was a completely randomized design with three treatments and three replicates per treatment with five fish each. The treatments were commercial ration for ornamental fish with the inclusion of 0%, 0.5% and 1.5% of propolis, provided 4% of the biomass twice a day. The performance was evaluated weekly, in which the parameters measured were: body weight, total length, standard length, biomass, average daily gain, feed conversion, average daily gain per period, condition factor and specific growth rate of the animals. Liver and muscle of three animals of each replicate were evaluated for lipid peroxidation through the reaction with Thiobarbituric Acid (TBARS). A variance analysis was performed at 5% significance. When significant, data were submitted to polynomial regression analysis and means were compared using Tukey test at 5% significance. There was no significant difference among the treatments for standard and total length, biomass, feed conversion and average daily gain. The average gain in the period after 49 days of diet consumption was higher (P < 0.05) for the fish that consumed 0.5% of propolis in the diet compared to those that did not consume propolis. There was a significant improvement in the specific growth rate and condition factor with addition of 0.5% of propolis. There was reduction in lipid peroxidation of hepatic tissue of the animals that received diets containing propolis in a linear form. It is concluded that the inclusion of propolis in the diet of convict cichlidae at 0.5% improves performance parameters and the use of higher levels can contribute to animal welfare.