Culture of yellow-tail lambari integrated with benthic species in earthen ponds

In this study, we assessed the production of yellow-tail lambari ( Astyanax lacustris ), giant river prawn ( Macrobrachium rosenbergii ), and curimbata ( Prochilodus lineatus ) in two integrated aquaculture arrays. A completely randomized experiment was conducted in 12 earthen ponds over 62 days. Two treatments were tested: lambari + prawn (LP) and lambari + prawn + curimbata (LPC), with six replicates each. Only lambari were considered in the feeding management. Adding P. lineatus did not affect the performance of A. lacustris or water quality. However, the final average weight and productivity of M. rosenbergii decreased by 34 % and 25 %, respectively, in the presence of curimbata, while survival remained unaffected at 89 %. Lambari reached market size in two months with high survival rates (62–70 %), supporting its role as a short-cycle fed species. Curimbata growth was limited, with an average survival rate of 75 %, indicating poor performance under short cycles. Feed conversion ratios did not differ significantly between treatments. Curimbata marginally contributed to additional biomass beyond that already stocked, but helped diversify products and markets. These results highlight the benefits, constraints, and trade-offs of tri-species integrated systems. Yellow-tail lambari confirms its role as a key short-cycle species, while new management strategies are needed to optimize the coexistence of giant river prawns and curimbata. The study demonstrates the technical feasibility of integrating yellow-tail lambari with giant river prawn in earthen pond systems, while exploring the opportunities and constraints of including curimbata. • Yellow-tail lambari reached market size in two months with high survival. • Giant river prawn growth was reduced by 34 % in the presence of curimbata. • Curimbata added low biomass beyond that stocked, but represents product diversification. • Culture of yellow-tail lambari together with giant river prawn is a technically feasible short-cycle aquaculture model.