Uso de sucedâneos lácteos na alimentação de peixes-bois em cativeiro

Abstract

The aquatic mammals of the Order Sirenia are divided into two families: Trichechidae, represented by the Amazonian manatee (Trichechus inunguis), the marine manatee (T. manatus) and the African manatee (T. senegalensis), and Dugongidae , with only one representative, the dugong (Dugong dugon). The main threat to these species is the stranding of calves in the Brazilian beaches or their capture. The various factors that lead the baby to lose their mother, both marine manatee and Amazonian manatee, forced the institutions active in the rescue and rehabilitation of these animals, to develop techniques for the parental care of these animals in captivity that most resemble the mother's natural care. So far, there is no record of an ideal substitute formulation, but there are already studies using different milk formulas and good nutritional results. The description of the nutritional composition of the milk of captive marine manatees contains 17.40% of lipids, 5.25% of proteins, 125.00 mg of calcium and 105.00 mg of phosphorus. For the Amazonian manatees, variations of 8.76 and 19.73% in fat, 4.24 - 10.47% crude protein and 68.55 - 82.1% in moisture content are described. The main efficency assessment of the milk formula is based on the relation of the daily or weekly weight gain. Most of the dairy formulations described use vegetable or animal milk without lactose with the addition of some source of fat (oil or unsalted butter). Previous studies also report the importance of inserting a vitamin-mineral complex to the milk formula. Some of the formulations described have promising results in relation to the animal's weight gain and are used daily in aquatic mammal rehabilitation centers in Brazil.