TECNOLOGIA DE BIOFLOCOS NA REPRODUÇÃO DE MACHOS DE LAMBARI-DO-RABO-AMARELO (Astyanax lacustris)

Abstract

Brazilian fish farming has shown significant growth, with a 40% increase in national production between 2014 and 2024. Despite this progress, native Neotropical species still face challenges, especially in reproduction, due to the lack of appropriate technologies and the difficulty of replicating natural spawning conditions (Piracema) under controlled environments. Among these species, the yellowtail lambari (Astyanax lacustris) stands out for its wide distribution and economic importance, being used both for human consumption and as live bait. Its reproductive practicality and fractional spawning make it an interesting model for reproductive studies in controlled systems. The present study aimed to evaluate the seminal characteristics of A. lacustris males maintained it two aquaculture systems: biofloc technology (BFT) and recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS). The experiment was conducted at the Experimental Fish Farming Station of the Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), in a completely randomized design, with four replicates per treatment. Biometric variables (standard length, total length, and final weight) and reproductive variables (semen volume, empty gonad weight, sperm motility, and sperm count) were analyzed. Datawere subjected to a t-test (p<0.05) using SAS software. The results indicated no significant differences (p>0.05) between systems for any variables analyzed. Conversely, reproductive variables such as sperm motility and semen volume exhibited high variability (CV > 100%). Thus, it can be concluded that the biofloc technology at a concentration of 20mL L⁻¹ of settleable solids maintains physiological and reproductive conditions similar to those observed in the RAS system, representing a sustainable and viable alternative for the cultivation and reproduction of Astyanax lacustris under controlled conditions.