Porphyridium cruentum (red microalga) added in Biofloc system to growth and pigmentation source of Heros severus.

Abstract

Inside aquarist industry, colored organisms are one of the most important criteria in the market. Since fish cannot synthesize pigments de novo, they must be supplied as additives in diet or culture. Therefore, in this study, it was compared the survival, growth, and pigment content of H. severus using P. cruentum as a carbohydrate and pigment source in a Biofloc system. The culture was carried out in 60 L containers with 20 juvenile of H. severus for 90 days. The following experimental treatments were used: Control and P. cruentum (freeze-dried, powder, and frozen). The Frozen treatment showed the best results in growth (11.29 cm and 124.87g), 100% survival, and a pigment concentration of 4.20 µg. Therefore, P. creuntum can be considered as a natural source of low-cost pigments for organism commercialization.