Enhancing rotifer mass culture through algal diversity

Abstract

Outdoor cultures of Brachionus quadridentatus raised in 10 m3
concrete tanks fed on co-cultured three algal
species (Chlorella vulgaris, Eudorina elegans and Scenedesmus quadricauda) feed showed statistically
significant differences in population biomass growth. Growth of B. quadridentatus feeding on S. quadricauda
was significantly greater than when fed on C. vulgaris. No significant differences in growth were observed
between Brachionus cultures fed on S. quadricauda and E. elegans and between those fed on C. vulgaris and E.
elegans. Daily B. quadridentatus population biomass increase was highest with S. quadricauda, followed by E.
elegans and lastly C. vulgaris. B. quadridentatus needed approximately 20, 48 and 63 h, respectively, with C.
vulgaris, S. quadricauda and E. elegans, to double its population.