Abstract

PARADA-GUEVARA, Sandra L.; VIRGUEZ-PARRADO, Alirio  and  CRUZ-CASALLAS, Pablo E.. Experiences on ornamental fish farming in the Cooperative COOPESCA, Acacias - Meta. Orinoquia [online]. 2012, vol.16, suppl.1, pp.248-255. ISSN 0121-3709.

The ornamental fish farming species in Meta province is still incipient, although that can be a source of livelihood for many rural and urban families. However, to achieve growth of the business is essential and appropriate to generate the necessary knowledge on the biology, behavior and appropriate adaptation techniques and captive management of potentially cultivable species. The captive culture offers the possibility to diversify production, produce better quality animal husbandry and health, ensure continuous supply and help reduce pressure on wild populations generated by the indiscriminate extraction. Currently at the regional level, only few species have standardized protocols for captive breeding and cultivation on a commercial scale. Therefore, this study sought to characterize some productive variables four ornamental species of commercial interest to the cooperative COOPESCA: blue gourami (Trichogaster trichopterus), pearl gourami (Trichogaster leeri) betta (Betta splendens) and scalar (Pterophyllum scalare). Variables were analyzed water quality, growth and physical development, nutrition, health and infrastructure used. The observations were made between August and December 2011. Overall, of the four species, 210 animals were monitored, grouped according to age and body size. In all groups, the increases in weight and height were directly proportional to feed intake. The water temperature was maintained at 21.5 ± 2.3 °C, the pH at 7.1 ± 0.6 and 49.5 ± conductivity 23 µS. Information collected to provide guidance to organize processes and make local production more profitable, so that it becomes an alternative employment and income for the fishing community, as well as strategy for the conservation, protection and recovery aquatic species and natural resources of the municipality of Acacias, Meta - Colombia.

Keywords : Fish farming; ornamental; production parameters; weight; height.

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