CARACTERÍSTICAS MORFOMÉTRICAS E O EFEITO DO PESO DE ABATE NO RENDIMENTO DE PROCESSAMENTO DO PIRARUCU (Arapaima gigas CUVIER, 1817) EM PISCICULTURA COMERCIAL NO ESTADO DE GOIÁS

Abstract

The present study aimed to evaluate the morphometric characteristics and efficiency of processes in different slaughter weights of the arapaima (Arapaima gigas) coming from an intensive fish farming in the Goias State. The experiment was conducted on Boi das Águas fish-farming, located in Moiporá city, distant 145 km far from the capital Goiânia. In the fattening schedule management of arapaima in the property, 500 fish fingerlings were placed with 165gr average initial weight, which was divided equally into two equal-sized ponds of 1000m ², 1.60m deep and fed with commercial feed. At the end of 16 months of fattening, 50 fish were collected at random in two ponds, and morphometric analysis was performed as well as carcass efficiency. The results of weight of whole animals were divided into 04 classes, namely: class A (7.95 to 10.47 kg), class B (10.49 to 11.70 kg), class C (12.05 to 14.90 kg) and class D (15.42 to 17,76 kg). The arapaimas measured at 16 months showed no significant differences in carcass efficiency and morphometric aspects related to gender. Despite displaying numerical differences, there was no statistical difference (P <0.05) between the weight classes. Animals slaughtered in higher weight classes provide greater fillet efficiency. According to results in this study, it is recommended that fish with average weight over 15 kg should be killed because they had a better index of fillet efficiency, indicating that the slaughter on an estimate of time, as ideal harvest on the property, is not an advised option.