Abstract The efficiency of feed use in aquaculture may be improved by integrating the culture of extractive species into fed‐species systems. This study assessed the impact of including curimba (Prochilodus lineatus) in tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) production during the grow‐out phase in earthen ponds. A completely randomized experiment with two treatments (production systems) and three replications of each was conducted over 7 months. Tambaqui monoculture and tambaqui with curimba‐integrated culture were compared. The addition of curimba did not affect tambaqui performance, which reached a final weight of ~1. 7 kg, survival rate of ~60%, and feed conversion ratio of ~1. 73 in both systems; annual productivity reached about 7. 1 t ha −1. Curimba grew to ~144 g, with a survival rate of 97% and annual production of ~1. 0 t ha −1. Data indicated that total fish production (tambaqui + curimba) may be higher (~25%) in the integrated culture system. The presence of curimba was associated with lower morning dissolved oxygen and afternoon pH, and higher levels of chlorophyll a, turbidity, and total dissolved and suspended solids in the water. Phytoplankton, zooplankton, and monogenean parasites in tambaqui tended to be higher in the integrated culture system, possibly related to the resuspension of nutrients induced by bioturbation caused by the curimba. Implementing the integrated culture increased net profit by approximately US 1. 5 thousand per hectare per year. Curimba appears to be compatible with and complementary to tambaqui, making them suitable for co‐culture. Therefore, tambaqui can be effectively farmed in an integrated culture with curimba (and possibly other benthic species), enhancing aquaculture production efficiency and aligning with the principles of the circular economy.
Lima et al. (Mon,) studied this question.
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