Revista del Instituto de Investigaciones de la Amazonía Peruana

PROBLEMS REPORTED IN THE MANAGEMENT OF FARMED IN THE PERUVIAN AND BRAZILIAN AMAZON

MOREY1; José Carlos ZUMAETA 1; Linda Lizeth 2; Jeffson NOBRE 3 Germán Augusto MURRIETA CACHIQUE FLORES1 Instituto de VILLACORTA Investigaciones de la Amazonía Peruana (IIAP), PEREIRA Laboratorio de Parasitología y Sanidad Acuícola, Carretera Iquitos-Nauta Km 4.5, San Juan Bautista, 0784, Iquitos, Perú. Correo electrónico: [email protected]

2 Universidad Nacional de la Amazonía Peruana (UNAP), Sargento Lores 385, Iquitos, Perú.

3 Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia (INPA), Av. André Araújo, 2936 – Petrópolis, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil, 69067-375. Programa de Pós-graduação em Biología de Água Doce e Pesca Interior-BADPI.

ABSTRACT The present study reports three cases of problems reported on farmed Arapaima gigas in the Peruvian and Brazilian Amazon (1st case: Jaundice disease in farmed Arapaima gigas (Schinz, 1822) in Pará, Brazil; 2nd case: Gas bubble disease in farmed Arapaima gigas from the Peruvian amazon and 3rd case: Mortalities Arapaima gigas. All cases

incaused Para, by Brazil fights and between describes sexually a jaundice mature disease females caused of by the consumption of were reported during field expeditions to farms. The first case was reported A. gigas contaminated food by micotoxins. The second case was reported in Iquitos, Peru and describes a «gas bubble» disease on young caused by inadequate management and lack of acclimation when translated from a fish pond to glass aquaria and wooden boxes with shallow water. The third case is reported in Manaus, Brazil and describes a storage experiment where it was demonstrated that breeding tanks with more than one female results in fights against females KEYWORDS: and consequentlyArapaima the death gigas of some specimens. ; Brazil; gas bubble disease; jaundice; Peru.

Vol. 28 (1) 2019. 75-83 DOI: https://doi.org/10.24841/fa.v28i1.476 75 Problems reported in the management of farmed Arapaima gigas in the peruvian and brazilian amazon

PROBLEMAS REPORTADOS EN EL MANEJO DE Arapaima gigas CULTIVADOS EN LA AMAZONÍA PERUANA Y BRASILEÑA

RESUMEN El presente estudio reporta tres casos de problemas reportados en Arapaima gigas cultivados en la Amazonía peruana y brasileña (1r Arapaima gigas cultivados en la Amazonía peruana y brasileña; 2do caso: Arapaima gigas caso:cultivados Ictericia en enla Amazonía peruana y 3r caso: Mortalidades causadas por peleas entre hembras Enfermedad de las burbujasArapaima gaseosas gigas en

enmaduras Pará, Brasilsexualmente y describe de la condición de. Todos ictericia los causadacasos fueron por elreportados consumo durante expediciones de campo a piscigranjas. El primer caso fue reportado

jóvenesde alimento de A. contaminado gigas causada por por micotoxinas. inadecuado El manejo segundo y falta caso de fue aclimatación reportado enal Iquitos, Perú y describe la enfermedad de las burbujas gaseosas en especímenes

trasladar a los peces de un estanque piscícola a acuarios de vidrio y cajas de cualesmadera se con colocaron poca agua. más El detercer una caso hembra es reportado de A. gigas en Manaus,son inadecuados Brasil y describe para la un experimento en el cual se demuestra que tanques de reproducción en los

crianza y reproducción de esta especie, ya que como resultado se notaron peleas entre especímenes hembras que consecuentemente llevaron a la muerte PALABRAS CLAVE: de varios ejemplares.Arapaima gigas ; Brasil; enfermedad de las burbujas gaseosas; ictericia; Perú.

Vol. 28 (1) 2019. 75-83 DOI: https://doi.org/10.24841/fa.v28i1.476 76 Problems reported in the management of farmed Arapaima gigas in the peruvian and brazilian amazon

INTRODUCTION

The Arapaima gigas a period of time, for improving the activity with this fish . (Schinz, 1822) known MATERIAL AND METHODS as «pirarucu», is an osteoglossiform endemic species of the Amazon region, that inhabits the 1ST CASE: JAUNDICE DISEASE IN FARMED theAmazon most Riverimportant system, species the western for the developmentOrinoco and Arapaima gigas FROM PARÁ, BRAZIL the river systems of the Guianas. This fish is one of A. gigas raised in a of intensive in the Amazonian Nine-hundred specimens of region, being appreciated, highly demanded and fish-pond with one hectare of dimension were regarded as a food fish of the highest quality daily fed with balanced diet (pellets) with 40% (Queiroz and Crampton, 1999). Despite the crude protein. Some days after offering the food, various obstacles encountered in its farming, its fish presented loss of appetite and change of production in Brazil and Peru is been increasing coloration. After a couple of days, high mortalities each year, innovating techniques of breeding, and clinical signs of jaundice were observed on feeding process and sanitary management (IBGE evaluatedthe fish. by means of physical and chemical 2017). The quality of the water of the ponds was The arapaima has a high economic potential in fish farming, both for the production of meat with parameters: oxygen, pH, temperature and a view to national and international markets, and ammonia. Sample collection was conducted one etfor al. the production of fingerlings for exportation 2hourND CASE: before GAS and BUBBLE during the DISEASE catch of IN the FARMED fish. to different countries of the world (García-Dávila Arapaima gigas FROM THE PERUVIAN 2018). AMAZON With the intensification of breeding systems, A. gigas there is a need for greater knowledge about the appropriate management to provide Two hundred with 12 ± 3 cm standard improvement in fish health conditions, especially length were acquired from a fish farm located in in the early stages of production, larviculture the Peruvian Amazon. Fish were transported to theirand fish immune farming. system At these still stages, does whennot respondfish are a commercial Aquarium by using plastic bags. properly,continually they exposed become to adversemore conditionssusceptible andto In the Aquarium, fish were immediately placed into wooden boxes and glass aquariums without previous acclimation. parasites and diseases (Tavares-Dias and Martins A. Somegigas days after receiving the , some A.2017). gigas as a resource for the development of the atypical signs and symptoms were noticed in all Taking into consideration the importance of . Mortalities were being reported daily. the present study reports three cases of problems In order to determine the cause of the problem, noticedaquaculture on farmedin the Peruvian A. gigas and Brazilian Amazon, some fish were transported to the «Laboratorio de Parasitología y Sanidad Acuícola» of the due to inadequate «Instituto de Investigaciones de la Amazonía management during the breeding and marketing Peruana» IIAP, in Iquitos-Peru. In the laboratory, process and gives some recommendations based signs and symptoms were observed and on the experiences and studies carried out over discussed. After the analyses, all the information Vol. 28 (1) 2019. 75-83 DOI: https://doi.org/10.24841/fa.v28i1.476 77 Problems reported in the management of farmed Arapaima gigas in the peruvian and brazilian amazon

concerning to the acquisition and management contained a yellow ascitic fluid in their abdomen of Reports the fish of before people and involved after the in arrivalthe capture, to the and plenty of fat which was also yellowA. gigas in colour. Aquarium was requested. All Mean observed values signs of andphysical symptoms and revealedchemical a typical case of jaundice affecting (Fig. 1). transportation and conditioning of fish, revealed inadequate management of the fish. Fish wereO parameters were: temperature 28 °C, dissolved captured from a fish pond at midday, when oxygen 5.19 mg/L, pH 6.0 and ammonium 0.04 water temperature was between 29 to 30 C. 2mg/L.ND CASE: GAS BUBBLE DISEASE IN FARMED Fish were immediately placed in plastic bags Arapaima gigas FROM THE PERUVIAN and transported to the commercial Aquarium. AMAZON In the Aquarium, fish were removed from the Arapaima gigas bags and placed in glass aquariums and wooden chemicalboxes filled characteristics with water of different the company from thethat ones was bubbles present wereon their diagnosed heads as(emphysema), having «gas with another temperature and with physical and bubble disease», with obvious large and small gas

3inRD the CASE: ponds MORTALITIES before catching CAUSED the fish. BY FIGHTS irritation, swollen gill filaments and roof of the BETWEEN SEXUALLY MATURE FEMALES OF mouth, exposition of part of their gills by atrophy Arapaima gigas 3ofRD the CASE: opercula MORTALITIES and exophthalmia CAUSED (Fig. BY FIGHTS2). BETWEEN SEXUALLY MATURE FEMALES OF density for adult Arapaima gigas for reproductive Arapaima gigas With the purpose of evaluate the best storage processes, male and female individuals were Four days after establishing the experiment, captured from2 a fish pond located in Manaus, fights were noticed in tanks with more than two Brazil and distributed into ten concrete tanks females. Mortalities of females were reported in with 300 m . Five treatments, each with two treatment 3, 4 and 5. Dead fish were retired from replicas were considered: T1 = 1 male with 1 the tanks in order to find signs of fights and to female; T2 = 2 males with 1 female; T3 = 1 male detect the degree of sexual maturation of dead with 2 females; T4 = 2 males with 2 females and specimens. Dead specimens presented externalA. T5 = 3 males with 3 females. gigassigns such as: blows, bruises, internal bleeding RESULTS and bites and wounds on the fins. All dead were sexually mature females (Fig. 3). 1ST CASE: JAUNDICE DISEASE IN FARMED DISCUSSION Arapaima gigas FROM PARÁ, BRAZIL

Clarias Dead fish were analyzed, observing a yellowish macrocephalusSymptoms of intoxication(Gunther) byX micotoxinsC. gariepinus were pigmentation throughout the body, eyes and cited in the farmed catfish hybrid, tongue. Additionally, a longitudinal section was made from the opening of the anus to the gills, viscera(Burchell) (Pearson farmed et al. in . This fish was observing the kidney, liver and gall bladder intoxicated due to the feeding of rancid chicken enlarged with a pale yellow colour. Analyzed fish 1994). In Brazil, there are Vol. 28 (1) 2019. 75-83 DOI: https://doi.org/10.24841/fa.v28i1.476 78 Problems reported in the management of farmed Arapaima gigas in the peruvian and brazilian amazon

jaundiceno reports reported of jaundice in A. ingigas farmed fish species, so the intoxication by neurotoxins and hepatotoxins the present study constituteset al. the first case of produced by harmful algal bloom or poor water and in Brazil. quality was discarded.A. gigas According to Faria (2013), for breeding Another probably cause of intoxication was tropical fish, it is recommended a temperature the food given to the as the fish-farmer between 25 °C and 32 °C, dissolved oxygen noticed the problems related, just after changing presentbetween study, 1 and values 5 mg/L), of the pH physical between and 6 and chemical 9 and the brand of the pellets used for feeding the fish. ammonia with values below 0.05 mg/L). In the toDiscarding send samples the presenceof the food of to cyanobacteria a laboratory for in analysesthe water and of thestopped ponds, to the feed fish-farmer the A. gigas decided parameters of the water were considered as suitable for tropical fish. In the water samples, with no fungi and no cyanobacteria were detected, so that brand of pellets.

Figure 1. Specimen of Arapaima gigas (Schinz, 1822) with external signs of jaundice. B,C and D. Internal organs of A. gigas showing signs of jaundice.

Vol. 28 (1) 2019. 75-83 DOI: https://doi.org/10.24841/fa.v28i1.476 79 Problems reported in the management of farmed Arapaima gigas in the peruvian and brazilian amazon

Figure 2. Gas bubble disease in Arapaima gigas (Schinz, 1822). A – D. Visible signs: emphysema, irritation, swollen gill filaments and roof of the mouth, exposition of part of their gills by atrophy of the opercula and exophthalmia.

Vol. 28 (1) 2019. 75-83 DOI: https://doi.org/10.24841/fa.v28i1.476 80 Problems reported in the management of farmed Arapaima gigas in the peruvian and brazilian amazon

Figure 3. Specimen of Arapaima gigas (Schinz, 1822 showing wounds as a result of fights. A – B. Adult specimen with internal hemorrhage on its body, C. wound on the pectoral fin, D. wounds on caudal fin. E. Examination of internal organs, evidencing a sexually mature female specimen.

Vol. 28 (1) 2019. 75-83 DOI: https://doi.org/10.24841/fa.v28i1.476 81 Problems reported in the management of farmed Arapaima gigas in the peruvian and brazilian amazon

by Gilbert et al. A. gigas presented to Afterpresent a week improvements of having stopped in their the health,feeding withthey boxes with shallow water. As it was mentioned the alleged contaminated ration, the fish began (1967), all sick a swollen roof of the mouth, confirming this presented again a normal coloration and deaths characteristic as a diagnostic manifestation of stopped. The analyses made in the laboratory the disease. Apparently, the disease was caused showed the presence of microcystins produced by a sudden change in water temperature, which someby a input cyanobacteria. at the time Probably of preparation the company or by provoked a descompensation in the water gases, responsible for preparing the food contaminated diseasemaking itis supersaturated. apparently caused by necrosis of Death in fish suffering from gas bubble inadequate storage conditions. Toxigenic fungi and bacteria can contaminate vital organs and tissues, probably due to anoxia food in different stages of productionet al. and resulting from capillary occlusion by gas emboli. Brazil,processing, because from of its growing tropical to climate, transport provides and Special methods of controlling the amount of storage. As reported by Sabino (1988), dissolved gases in the water are required to prevent excessive mortalities in these situations ideal conditions for the proliferation of fungi and (Westgard 1964). To avoid this disease, the bacteria responsible for the production of toxins. acclimation of fish before their introduction to In addition, inadequate storage conditions favor a new environment must be done, taking into fungal and bacteria growth that can contaminate consideration proper management and control the food used for fish-farmers to feed fish. of physical and chemical parameters in the water. Considering the risk that the ingredients used Additionally, possible deficiencies in the aeration for feeding fish or the inadequate conditions systems of pipes, aerator pumps and filters must of food storing that may present high levels of be checked to avoid gas saturations in aquaria. toxins, as well as the lack of studies on the effects The pirarucu presents partial spawning of micotoxins on fish farming, it is necessary to and has peculiar reproduction habits, forming evaluateSusceptibility and monitoring to supersaturation the food used dependsfor fish- couples, selecting and isolating the spawning farmers in the fish breeding. area, building nests and releasingA. gigas, aseggs a andprocess sperm of (Imbiriba 2001). Imbiriba (1991) reported fights largely on whether the fish are confined to the between individuals of supersaturationshallow water or aquarium.are the Fishmost that susceptible are restricted to isolation of the posture area, along with the to shallow water and continuously exposed to appearance of reproductive nests. In the present cutstudy and case, territoriality fights, followed of female by A. deaths gigas observed gas bubble disease (Bouck 1980). According to between females, clearly denoted the behavior of Harvey and Cooper (1962), small fish appear to . Probably be highly susceptible to gas bubble disease. A fights start when females form couples and build diagnostic characteristic for detectinget gas al. bubble nests to start the reproductive process. In this disease in its early stages is the manifestation of way, it is recommended to keep females isolated swollen roofA. gigas of the mouth (Gilbert 1967). underfrom other captivity females, for A. in gigas order to avoid fights and In the present study case, this disease is reported guarantee the success in the reproductive process in young from aquaria and from wooden .

Vol. 28 (1) 2019. 75-83 DOI: https://doi.org/10.24841/fa.v28i1.476 82 Problems reported in the management of farmed Arapaima gigas in the peruvian and brazilian amazon

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Municipal. Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística, 51pp. Arapaima gigas We thank to the commercial aquarium Imbiriba, E.P. 1991. Production and management AQUATRADE located in Iquitos, Peru for providing of fingerlings pirarucu, fish samples used in the reports mentioned in the Arapaima(Cuvier). Belém: gigas EMBRAPA-CPATU,Acta Amazônica 19pp. , second case. Imbiriba, E.P. 2001. Creation potential pirarucu, REFERENCES , in captivity. 31: 299-316. Pearson, M.D., Chlnabutr,Clarias S., Karnchanakharn, macrocephalus Transactions of the American Fisheries Society, S., Somsir, T. 1994.C. gariepinus Jaundice disease(Burchell), in thein Bouck, G.R. 1960. Etiology of Gas Bubble Disease. farmed catfishJournal hybrid, of Fish Diseases (Gunther) x 109: 703-707. eThailand. o uso sustentado dos pirarucus, 17: (Arapaima 325-336. Faria, R.H.S, Morais, M., Soranna, M.R.G.S., Sallum, Queiroz, H.L., Crampton, W. 1999. A preservação B.W. 2013. Manual de criação de peixes em viveiro. Brasília: Codevasf, 136pp. gigas, Osteoglossidae) em . Mamirauá.Sociedade García C.R, Sánchez, H., Silva, F., Almendra, M., Estratégias para manejo de recursos Mejia, J.E., Chávez, A., Ruiz, D.C., Estivals, G., pesqueiros em Mamirauá. Brasília Vásquez, A.G., Nolorbe, C.P., Dávila, G.V., Núñez, Civil Mamirauá, Tefé, Brasil.197pp. J., Mariac, C., Duponchelle, F., Renno, J-F. 2018. Sabino, M., Lamardo, L.C.A., Inomat, G. 1988. Peces de consumo de la Amazonía peruana. Ocorrência de aflatoxina B1 em produtos Instituto de Investigaciones de la Amazonía alimentícios e rações animais, consumidosRevista no Peruana (IIAP), Iquitos-Perú, 218pp. doEstado Instituto de São Adolfo Paulo Lutz e em várias outras regiões Gilbert, B., Pauley, B.,Journal Nakatani, of the R.Fisheries 1967. do Brasil, no período de 1980 a 1987.An overall ResearchHistopathology Board of of Canada «Gas-Bubble» Disease in estimation of losses caused, 48: 81-85. by diseases in Salmon fingerlings. Tavares-Dias, M., Martins, M.L.Journal 2017. of Parasitic , 24: 867-871. Disease Harvey, H.H., Cooper, A.C.1962. Origin and the Brazilian fish farms. treatment of supersaturated river water. , 41: 913-918. Intern. Pacific Salmon Fish. Comm., Progr. Wetsgard, R.L. 1964. Physical and biological Rept., No.9, 1-19pp. aspects of gas-bubbleAmerican. disease Fisheries in impounded Society, IBGE (Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e adult chinook salmon at McNary Spawning Estatística). 2017. Produção da Pecuária Channel. Trans. 93: 306-309.

Recibido: 12 de julio de 2019 Aceptado para publicación: 27 de agosto de 2019

Vol. 28 (1) 2019. 75-83 DOI: https://doi.org/10.24841/fa.v28i1.476 83