Experimental fattening of cachama (Colossoma macropomum) in the estacion local el Lago, Zulia state, Venezuela

This study evaluated production, performance and food conversion of the cachama, Colossoma macropomum , fed with generic fish food under an intensive system. The study was performed in an 18.70 m2 Australian tank at the Estacion Local El Lago located in the western coast of Lake Maracaibo, Venezuela. Fifty-three fingerlings averaging 3 g in weight and at a density of 2.83 fish/m2 were sowed in the tank. At the end of seven months, the performance variables evaluated were final weight of 755.62 g; weight gain (WG): 752.62 g; daily weight gain (DWG): 3.53 g/day; specific growth rate (SGR): 2.60 g/day; food conversion (FC): 1.78; productivity (PRO): 2.14 kg/m2 and condition factor (CF): 1. It can be concluded that close observation of individuals, a good water quality management, the natural food (fito and zooplankton) and the concentrated food made possible to obtain a commercial weight in a short time, with a low investment and a high productivity, thus demonstrating the technical and economic feasibility of breeding of this species in the region.