Dietary protein and body mass affect ammonium excretion in white cachama (Piaractus brachypomus)/La proteína dietaria y la masa corporal afectan la excreción de amonio en cachama blanca (Piaractus brachypomus)/A proteína dietética e massa corporal afeta a excreção de amônio em pirapitinga (Piaractus brachypomus)

• Published in: Revista Colombiana de Ciencias pecuarias 2014-04, Vol.27 (2), p.121
• Main Authors: Ruales, Carlos A David, Torres, Wálter Vásquez
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0120-0690; 2256-2958

Ammonia is the main excretion product from protein catabolism in fish, eliminated primarily through the gills. The proportion excreted by each species depends on factors such as protein quality, energy level and diet balance, body size of the animals, and environmental factors such as water temperature and pH. This study aims to determine the effect of dietary protein level and body weight on ammonia excretion (AE) in white cachama (Piaractus brachypomus). Basal AE level was determined by measuring water ammonia concentration every 2 h for 26 h after a 48 h fasting period. The AE in response to CP levels was determined for each fish size by measuring ammonia every 2 h for 26 h, after feeding them to satiety with the experimental diets. The differences between treatments were significant. The AE rate, depending on protein level and body weight, was significantly different for all comparisons, similar to the comparison of main effects.