Nagae et al., 2002. Rev. Bras. Zootec., 31 (5): 1875-1880

To evaluate the effects of including millet Pennisetum americanum [Pennisetum glaucum] in diets for piavucu Leporinus macrocephalus, 240 fingerlings (initial body weight of 1.380.03 g) were distributed into randomized blocks with 6 treatments (0.00, 6.00, 12.00, 18.00, 24.00 and 30.00% of millet in diets), and 5 replicates. There were a total of thirty 120-litre net ponds (n=8 animals per pond) installed in five 1000-litre cement asbestos tanks. The inclusion of millet had no effect on final body weight, liveweight gain, apparent alimentary conversion, rate of protein efficiency, and survival of the fingerlings. A quadratic effect was observed for the cost/kg gain, with the minimum cost at 20.31% of inclusion. It was concluded that millet can be included at 30.00% substitution to maize diets for piavucu fry, without affecting performance.