A general survey of the feasibility of culturing the mysid Gastrosaccus roscoffensis (Peracarida, Mysida): Growth, survival, predatory skills, and lipid composition

Abstract

The effects of culture conditions on growth, survival, predation, and nutritional composition of the mysid Gastrosaccus roscoffensis were studied. Light had a negative effect on the predation rates of G. roscoffensis and predator size was important to prey on Artemia nauplii and rotifers (Brachionus plicatilis). Growth rates were higher in the first three weeks and measured individuals increased almost 7 mm in length in six weeks. Mortality rate was not constant, but it peaked during the first 10 days and after the 40th day of culture. Lipid class composition of cultured G. roscoffensis juveniles showed differences compared to wild G. roscoffensis and other mysid species, with a high proportion of neutral lipids (72.04% total lipids) mainly triacylglycerol (41.74%). Fatty acid composition was characterized by high levels of 18:3n-3 (23.16% total lipids) and monoenes in cultured G. roscoffensis. The experiments demonstrated the feasibility of the culturing conditions assayed for G. roscoffensis, although further experiments should be carried out to test this mysid as a prey for new species of commercial interest, including fish and cephalopods.