Optimal Food and Concentration for Growth of Small Rotifer, Proales similis

This study determined the optimum microalgae species and concentration for growth of small rotifer Proales similis, in community cultures by feeding it several different foods. Four single trials (Tetraselmis suecica, TET; Isochrysis galbana, ISO; Nannochloropsis oculata, NAN; freshwater Chlorella vulgaris, CHL) were conducted at 5 psu and 25 . The maximum density and specific growth rate (SRG) were ℃ highest for rotifer fed CHL reaching 1,075 individuals (inds.)/mL and 0.83 respectively. By contrast, other foods of ISO, NAN and TET resulted in poor growth rates and maximum density. In the freshwater C. vulgaris experiments examining a range of 0.05 to 8.8 mg/10 4 rotifers, the growth of rotifer tended to decrease with the amount of supplement. The maximum density and SGR of females was highest at 910 inds./mL and 0.55 respectively, at 0.05 mg/10 4 rotifers. These results suggest that the best microalgae species for the culture of P. similis is freshwater C. vulgaris and the optimum concentration is 0.05 mg/10 4 rotifers.