Small-Scale System for the Mass Production of Rotifers Using Algal Paste

Abstract

Rotifers are a dominant zooplankton that are a preferred prey for some larval fish and are used by culturists during larval fish culture. The rotifer Brachionus plicatilis is a brackish-water species suited for mass culture because it is prolific and can tolerate a wide variety of environmental conditions. Although the culture of this rotifer has been well documented, little information is available regarding the use of concentrated algal paste for the production of B. plicatilis. Thus, we investigated algal paste for rotifer production. Rotifers were cultured in four translucent, low-density polyethylene tanks with a culture volume of 45 L of artificial seawater. The feed solution was a mixture of commercially available Nannochloropsis algal paste and artificial seawater. During a 21-d culture period, the rotifer population in each of four tanks was maintained between 500 and 1,500 rotifers/mL. A volume of 15 L was harvested when the rotifer count was 1,500 rotifers/mL or more. The results indicated that the simple and inexpensive use of a concentrated algal paste as a food source is suitable for the production of rotifers.