Feeding Rotifers Brachionus plicatilis with microalgae cultivated in Tunisia

Abstract

In this study we investigated the feeding of rotifers Brachionus plicatilis with different diets. We used different foods: powder spirulina, concentrated Chlorella, commercial food named "culture selco" diluted in various volumes and each of these food modes associated to microalgae. We determined the rotifers density, the daily growth rate and the percentages of eggs for the different diets. The food on live spirulina did not give concluding results. The use of inert food only shows a maximum of eggs rotifers percentage and specific growth rate with concentrated Chlorella and a comparable result with powdered spirulina and selco culture (P ≥0, 05). The maximum of the density of rotifers and eggs percentage were obtained with culture selco associated with microalgae, followed by the food mode using super concentrated Chlorella and lastly the food using the powder spirulina.