DIETARY-EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT FEEDS ON THE BIOCHEMICAL-COMPOSITION OF THE ROTIFER (BRACHIONUS-PLICATILIS MULLER)

The rotifer (Brachionus plicatilis Muller) was cultured on phytoplankton monocultures (Dunaliella tertiolecta, Tetraselmis suecica, Nannochloropsis sp., Phaeodactylum tricornutum), natural nanoplankton and baker's yeast. Biochemical composition of rotifers harvested at exponential, stationary and death phases was determined. The moisture content declined in all samples in their stationary phase of growth. Ash levels were highest at the death phase. Lipids and carbohydrates were observed to decline between the exponential and the death phases. Protein levels increased in the stationary phase. Growth rate, doubling time, lipid, carbohydrate and protein content of rotifers fed Phaeodactylum tricornutum and Nannochloropsis sp. indicate that these monocultures are the most suitable diets for the rotifer. Rotifers fed on these algae are expected to satisfy the nutritional demand of fish larvae.