Survival and Reproductive Responses of Four Artemia Strains in Low Salinity

  • Richard L. Bwala National Institute for Freshwater Fisheries Research, New Bussa, Niger State, Nigeria
  • Khalid Salie Stellenbosch University, South Africa
  • Gilbert Van Stappen Ghent University, Belgium
Keywords: Artemia, Axenic, Inoculation age, Instar, Salinity, Strain, Xenic

Abstract

The brine shrimp, Artemia thrives in sea water salinity. In such condition, high survival and nauplii production rather than cysts should be expected. In this study, low salinity (0-32 gL-1) was tested for its effect on survival and some reproductive traits of four Artemia strains: Artemia franciscana from the Great Salt Lake (GSL) and Vinh Chau as well as parthenogenetic strains from Tuz and Balikun. Survival at instar I and II developmental stages was tested in axenic condition over 48 h, while that of two inoculation ages (0 and 8 days) was tested in xenic condition over nine days. Reproductive traits were also assessed xenically. Results showed that in the xenic test, the GSL strain had significantly (p<0.05) higher survival at 20 and 32 gL-1.  No difference (p>0.05) was found between the two instar developmental stages tested. Similarly, no significant differences (p>0.05) were observed among the inoculation ages at the different salinities except at 5 gL-1. The GSL strain had significantly (p<0.05) higher offspring produced as nauplii. We conclude that 20 gL-1 salinity and the GSL strain are the most suitable when considering biomass culture for the purpose of nauplii production as live food for aquaculture species.

Author Biographies

Richard L. Bwala, National Institute for Freshwater Fisheries Research, New Bussa, Niger State, Nigeria

National Institute for Freshwater Fisheries Research, New Bussa, Niger State, Nigeria

Khalid Salie, Stellenbosch University, South Africa

Department of Animal Sciences

Gilbert Van Stappen, Ghent University, Belgium

Laboratory of Aquaculture & Artemia Reference Center

Published
2022-08-29
How to Cite
Bwala, R. L., Salie, K., & Van Stappen, G. (2022). Survival and Reproductive Responses of Four Artemia Strains in Low Salinity. West African Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 2(1), 9-21. Retrieved from http://wajfas.unilag.edu.ng/article/view/1276
Section
Research Articles