Matrinxã (Brycon cephalus - Gunther, 1869) a native fish species from the Amazon basin, has been causing a great deal of interest among researchers and fish culturists all over Brazil. The rising demand for the culture of this species in controlled environment is mainly due, to its ready adaptation to captivity, the acceptance of manufactured feed made with either animal or plant ingredients, along with its high commercial value. However, for a successful commercial enterprise, feed must meet protein requirements of the fish to allow high weight gain in a short period. The experiment was carried out at Embrapa Amazônia Ocidental aquaculture station. Five crude protein concentration (16, 19, 22, 25 and 28 %) in isocaloric (EB = 390 kcal/100g) diets were tested in a fully randomized experimental design with three replicas. Results obtained at the end of 210 days of study showed that diets containing 28 % crude protein promoted the highest weight gain, growth and best feed conversion among tested diets, indicating that the protein requirements for this species can be satisfactorily achieved under experimental conditions.
Brycon cephalus; protein contents; fish nutrition