BACTERIA AS FOOD FOR ARTEMIA

Artemia sp. were grown to pre-adult on diets consisting of bacteria, bacteria plus algae, and algae alone. There was little difference in survival among Artemia grown on these diets, but significant differences in length and dry weight were observed. Artemia fed with Flexibacter strain Inp3 plus 50 cells/mul of algae resulted in best growth and biomass (7.33 mm, 29.67 mg/l, respectively). However, highest concentration of PUFAs per dry weight of Artemia was obtained by feeding the 100 cells/mul of algae diet. The results of this study suggest that the bacteria acted not only as a food for the Artemia, but also assisted in the digestion of the algae.