Impact of enriching larval brine shrimp (Artemia sp.) with a supplement containing polyunsaturated fatty acids on their growth and mortality

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the impact the commercial supplement S.presso (INVE Aquaculture, Belgium), a source of polyunsaturated fatty acids to enrich the proximate composition of brine shrimp (Artemia sp.), had on their growth and mortality. Four different enrichment protocols were investigated: the supplement was given in one or two doses at various time intervals. The results indicate that while S.presso increased nauplius mortality slightly, administering the appropriate dose reduced losses to a very low level (from 12.5% with a single dose to 8.6% with the recommended dose divided into to equal parts). Additionally, it was confirmed that the supplement S.presso increased brine shrimp growth slightly in comparison to that of the control group, but the differences were statistically insignificant. The results permit concluding that S.presso is suitable for use as a source of polyunsaturated fatty acids for brine shrimp enrichment with the intent of using them as fish food.

Keywords

• artemia
• bioencapsulation
• enrichment
• essential fatty acids
• live food
• pufa