Resumen de Bioeconomic profitability analysis of tropical gar (Atractosteus tropicus) grow-out using two commercial feeds
David Julián Palma-Cancino, Rafael Martínez García, Carlos Alfonso Álvarez González, Ronald Jesús Contreras, Eucario Gasca Leyva, Emyr Peña, Susana Camarillo Coop
Tropical gar (Atractosteus tropicus) aquaculture is a potential economic activity in southeast Mexico. This study analyzed the economic profitability of tropical gar grow-out using two commercial feeds (Silver Cup® and Super®). The last one was designed based on the digestive physiology of the species. The experiment was conducted in six concrete ponds of 4 m3 (two treatments with three replicates) for 210 days; in each experimental unit 40 juveniles were stocked with an initial average weight and a total length of 104 ± 10 g and 27.7 ± 0.88 cm, respectively. At the end of the grow-out, there were statistics differences (P < 0.05) among treatments, where fish fed with Silver Cup® obtained the highest final average weight and total length (450.29 ± 5.36 g and 41.7 ± 1.81 cm, respectively), compared with fish fed Super®, which obtained a final average weight and total length of 415.05 ± 5.38 g and 41.4 ± 1.57 cm. Proximal analysis indicated a better protein content and fewer lipids in fish fed with Super®. The profitability analysis showed that fish fed with Silver Cup® diet had the highest values, with a Net Present Value (NPV) = US$55,332.63, Cost/Benefit (C/B) = US$1.5 and Internal Return Rate (IRR) = 48.38%, while for fish fed with Super® diet was NPV = US$50,852.28, C/B = US$1.49 and IRR = 47.03%. In conclusion, it is considered that both grow-out foods are profitable, although better nutritional value and less production cost are using Super® diet.
