Production cost of tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) and tambatinga and tambacu hybrids in net cages

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to determine the production cost of tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) and the hybrids tambatinga (female tambaqui x male pirapitinga, Piaractus brachypomus) and tambacu (female tambaqui x male pacu, Piaractus mesopotamicus) produced in net cages within a 100-ha-surface reservoir over 402 days of cultivation. The effective and total operating cost for each genetic group was determined based on production performance data and operational costs gathered throughout the experimental period. Tambaqui showed a 32.3% and 48.3% lower average total operating cost compared to tambatinga and tambacu, respectively. The lower production cost of tambaqui is attributed to its superior productivity, and is therefore considered the most promising genetic group under the evaluated conditions.