Effect of Different Salinities on the Survival and Growth of Artemina Spp

Abstract: The brine shrimp, Artem ia is gained a unique position in aquaculture system and is given as live feed to over 85 % of cultured species around the world. In the present study, three salinities (freshwater, brackish water and seawater) were selected for the biomass production. The initial stocking density was 100 nauplii/litre in all the salinities tested. Before inoculation of Artem ia nauplii, Chlorella was cultured in the rearing buckets and it was used as feed for growing nauplii. The water exchange was carried out once in every two days. The salinity of the tap water (freshwater) was varied between 2-4 ppt and in brackish water was ranged between 28-33 ppt. However, the seawater salinity was ranged between 34-55ppt. The pH of the freshwater, brackish water, and seawater was ranging between 7.8-8.5,8.2-8.9 and 8.5-9.3 respectively. The temperature was uniform for all three salinities used for the present study (29.32ºC). In freshwater, the Artem ia reached adult stage on 20th day of culture. Likewise the Artemia reached adult stage on 17 th and 14 th day when they were cultured in brackish water and seawater respectively. Higher survival was observed in seawater (80%) followed by brackish water (75 % ) and freshwater (30%). M aximum size of the adult Artem ia (1.2cm) was recorded in seawater and minimum size was recorded in freshwater (0.4). From the present study it could be confirmed that seawater salinity was highly suitable for the culture of Artem ia in laboratory conditions as evidenced by higher survival (80%) larger size (1.2cm) and shorter duration (14 days) to reach adult stage