Skeletal deformities in pacu Piaractus mesopotamicus larvae

Abstract

Studies on skeletal deformities in larvae and juveniles have been developed for several species of fish commercially produced. The presence of deformities results in several problems for aquaculture, such as increased production cost due to decreased survival, adverse effects on growth, decreased feed conversion, and also increased susceptibility to disease. The factors related to the incidence of skeletal deformities in fish larvae and juveniles are mainly nutritional, environmental and of genetic origin. However, nothing is known about this issue in South American species such as pacu. Thus, we have proposed to evaluate the incidence of skeletal deformities during the early development of pacu, and to verify the role of vitamin A in skeletal malformation and gene expression involved in this process. In addition, we will use the technique of stable isotopes as a tool to understand the turnover of nutrients in bone and muscle of pacu larvae during its early development.