Tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) and related species Pirapatinga (Piaractus brachypomus) and Pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus) are important aquaculture species in Latin America and the Caribbean. The fish is an omnivore, and requires a comparatively low protein content in its feed. When farming tambaqui it is possible to make use of lowcost feed and feed ingredients such as forest fruits, the seeds of leguminous plants, cassava, etc. As a species it not only tolerates soft- and acid waters well, but also can grow in water with relatively high salinity, up to about 10 ppt. Tambaqui is a hardy fish and quickly grows to a large size, which means that even seasonal waters can be suitable for producing them. For these reasons, the aquaculture production of tambaqui has continued to increase, and there is huge potential for its cultivation on both a large and small scale. For additional information on tambaqui, see FAO Field guide to the culture of tambaqui: www.fao.org/3/ca2955en/CA2955EN.pdf"

2019

Austin Stankus

Aquaculture, Fish, Hatchery

Union

Saint Lucia