Rotifers, Artemia and copepods as live feeds for fish larvae in aquaculture

Dhont and K. Dierckens, Ghent University, Belgium, J. Stnttnip, Technical University of Denmark, Denmark and G. Van Stappen, M. Wille and P. Sorgeloos, Ghent University, Belgium 

Abstract This chapter provides an update on the most common zooplankton Uve feed species used in hatchery rearing of fish and shellfish larvae, namely rotifers, Artemia and copepods. Each section starts with a summary of the biology and ecology of these species. An overview of the most common techniques to culture, feed, harvest, disinfect and preserve these organisms is provided. Special attention is given to nutritional and microbiological aspects. Furthermore, new trends and developments are discussed. 

Key words live feed, rotifers, Brachionus, Artemia, copepods. 

This chapter reviews currently used techniques to culture, harvest, treat and preserve these three groups of live feed. New trends are identified and possibilities for future research and development are set out. 

Thanks to this last characteristic, rotifers can be cultured on many feed sources (e.g. microalgae or yeast cells) and, even more important, their nutritional composition can be adjusted in a relatively short time (called enrichment) to better suit the nutritional requirements of the predator (e.g. fish or shrimp larvae). In the culture of fresh water rotifers, B. calyciflorus, pH is important due to the ammonia-ammonium equilibrium. 

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Rotifers, Artemia and copepods as live feeds for fish larvae in aquaculture... 

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