The Effects of Dunaliella tertiolecta, Tetraselmis suecica and Nannochloropsis oculata as Food on the Growth, Survival and Reproductive Characteristics of Artemia urmiana

Artemia is the most widespread live food used in the production of different stages of many aquaculture organisms. It is a non-selective filter feeding organism. Generally, microalgae are the most favorable feeds for Artemia, particularly when the algal species have suitable size, digestibility and nutrient values. This study was performed to compare the efficiency of three microalgae namely Dunaliella tertiolecta, Tetraselmis suecica and Nannochloropsis oculata for growth, survival and reproduction efficiency of Artemia urmiana in laboratory conditions. Artemia cysts were harvested from Urmia Lake and hatched according to standard methods. Live microalgae were cultured using the f/2 culture medium. Artemia survival was determined in treatments on days 8, 11, 14, 17 and 20. The results indicated a significant difference (P < 0.01) among three microalgae in terms of growth, survival rates and reproduction characteristics in A.urmiana. In spite of higher length growth of A.urmiana fed on N.oculata than T.suecica but survival and reproduction in A.urmiana fed on T.suecica was better than the first treatment. In general, D.tertiolecta was more efficient than T.suecica and N.oculata on A.urmiana, hence, it is preferred for feeding A.urmiana.