Helminthes and protozoan of farmed pirarucu (Arapaima gigas) in eastern Amazon and host-parasite relationship

The parasitofauna in the giant Amazon basin, pirarucu (Arapaima gigas Schinz, 1822) cultured in fish farms from the state of Amapá, in eastern Amazonia (Brazil) was investigated. Of the 100 examined fish, 90.0% were parasitized by Ichthyophthirius multifiliis (Ciliophora), Dawestrema cycloancistrium, Dawestrema cycloancistrioides (Monogenoidea) and Polyacanthorhynchus macrorhynchus (Acanthocephala), which had an aggregated distribution pattern. The highest infection rates were caused by I. multifiliis and the lowest by P. macrorhynchus. Infection rates were different for each fish farm, due to different water quality and management characteristics. A negative correlation was found between the intensity of monogenoideans D. cycloancistrium and D. cycloancistrioides and the relative condition factor (Kn), but the welfare of fish was not affected by parasitism. The number of I. multifiliis was positively correlated with the weight and total length of hosts, while the intensity of monogenoideans was negatively correlated with body weight and total length. This study is the first to record the occurrence of P. macrorhynchus in A. gigas farmed in Amazon

Hematological and biochemical responses of pirarucu (Arapaima gigas, Arapaimidae) fed with diets containing a glucomannan product derived from yeast and algae [Respostas hematológicas e bioquímicas de pirarucu (Arapaima gigas, Arapaimidae) alimentado com dietas contendo mananoligossacarídeos derivados de leveduras e algas]

The hematological and biochemical responses of pirarucu fingerlings (Arapaima gigas) fed with diets containing different concentrations of a glucomannan product derived from yeast and algae were evaluated in order to ascertain the effect of these diets on fish physiology. Four treatments were conducted, with three replications, with 12 fish in each tank. The product evaluated (MycosorbA+®) was incorporated into the commercial diet, at four concentrations: 0, 1, 2 and 4 g.kg-1, called M0%, M0.1%, M0.2% and M0.4%, respectively. After 45 days of feeding, blood samples from six fish in each replicate were collected to perform the analyses. Their weight and length were determined to calculate the condition factor and weight gain, but no differences (P > 0.05) were observed among the treatments. No changes to the hematocrit, hemoglobin or erythrocyte levels or to the hematimetric indices of the pirarucus were observed. The glucose and triglyceride levels of the pirarucus in the M0.1% and M0.2% groups were significantly lower than those of the M0% group. The M0.2% group showed higher albumin levels (P < 0.05) than M0% and M0.4%. The M0.4% group showed a total cholesterol level that was significantly higher than in all other treatments. MycosorbA+® contributed towards increasing the levels of defense cells in A. gigas. It would be possible to use this product at concentrations of between 0.1% and 0.2%, given that they increase the levels of some defense cells and plasma albumin concentrations, without changes to hematological parameters, cholesterol and triglyceride plasma levels or condition factor. © 2017, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazonia. All Rights Reserved.This study was supported by the Brazilian Federal Agency for Support and Evaluation of Postgraduate Education (CAPES), through its Pro-Amaz?nia Program (#230238.00754/2013-61). The authors thank the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa)