Feed Restriction in Juvenile Piaractus brachypomus Under BFT

Optimizing feeding management is crucial for the economic sustainability of intensive aquaculture. This study evaluated the effects of cyclic feed restriction on the zootechnical performance, physiological responses, and feed costs of juvenile Piaractus brachypomus reared in a biofloc technology (BFT) system. Two hundred and twenty-five juveniles (1.75 ± 0.41 g) were subjected to three feeding regimes for 56 days: daily feeding (T7, control), restriction of one day per week (T6), and restriction of two consecutive days per week (T5). Water quality parameters remained stable and within suitable ranges across all treatments. Although final weight, total length, and biomass were higher (p < 0.05) in T7 compared to T5, there were no differences (p > 0.05) in specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio, or productivity among the treatments. A dose-dependent increase in plasma glucose and triglycerides was observed with T7 (p < 0.05). Survival was lower (p < 0.05) in T5 (86.67%) compared to T7 (100%). Feed cost analysis showed a reduction of 29% for T5 and 9% for T6 relative to T7. The study concludes that the one-day-per-week restriction regimen (T6) represents an optimal adjustment, reducing feed costs by approximately 9% without significantly compromising growth performance, feed efficiency, or survival of P. brachypomus in a BFT system. This strategy balances economic savings with the maintenance of key productive indicators. Financial support: CNPQ, and CAPES.