EFICIÊNCIA E VARIABILIDADE DA CONTAGEM DE ALEVINOS DE TILÁPIA POR AMOSTRAGEM USANDO RECIPIENTES

Abstract

Fish counting is a strategic process in aquaculture, directly influencing production efficiency and economic performance. Accuracy in this practice is essential to prevent losses, optimize resource use, and meet commercial standards. This study assessed the efficiency and variability of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fry counting by sampling, using perforated cylindrical containers. The research was carried out at the Aquaculture Laboratory of Alevinos Rio Verde (GO), with 24 counting repetitions performed by three trained researchers.The main methods used in aquaculture—manual counting, sampling, and weighing—were compared, with a focus on the advantages and limitations of each. Results showed that the average number of fry per container was approximately 240 fish, with variations of up to ±12%. Increasing the number of samples significantly reduced counting errors, with at least six samples required to keep errors below 5%, and eleven samples needed to reduce errors to under 3%.