In the past few years Brazilian aquaculture in net cages located at public reservoirs has been increasing due to industry and government efforts. Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) has been the main fish species used in this system. Aiming to increase production efficiency, fish farmers empirically apply classification and grading management of finishing tilapias resulting in groups with different performances and precocity, in a grade basis from the best to worst performances. This study aimed to evaluate growth performance of finishing tilapias raised in a common net cage production system using the usual empirical model of classification and grading in three distinct steps along the finish phase. Results showed two distinct situations: the first with rapid growth groups of fish being marketed at 152 days presenting increasing daily weight gain (between 0.30 and 7.23g day-1) and proper feed conversion ratios (between 1.50 and 1.53); and the second with fish being marketed at 213 days presenting not constant weight gains (between 0.94 and 8.24) and high feed conversion ratios (between 1.54 and 3.03). Based on the results it must be emphasizing the importance of this empirical fish management due to the high variability in the growth performance among fish groups. Nevertheless, the appropriate strategy recommended for the use of heterogeneous groups of fish is the extensive fish farming system, which aims to mitigate the environmental impact caused by the excessive feeding used as the purpose for a high production.
Oreochromis niloticus; tilapiculture; productive performance; environmental impacts; grading
