Analytical study of effect of salinity on growth and survival of Artemia nauplii in inland saline water of Didwana Lake, Rajasthan

Abstract

The brine shrimp Artemia (Crustacea, Branchiopoda) lives in hypersaline lakes distributed all around the world. It is widely used as live prey in larviculture for many advantages, especially easy operation, adequate size and nutritional quality. Many sites have been exploited for its cysts, and demand from aquaculturists remains increasing. The population of Artemia salina was reared at 5 different salinities (80, 100, 120, 140 and 160 ppt) using fermented feed made with baker’s yeast, rice floor and ground nut oil cake used as food. Larval development, population growth and survival were studied. At the highest salinity tested (160 ppt), growth was slower and lower survival due to natural mortality was observed possibly this was due to oviparous type of reproduction in which the number of offspring is generally lower or may not present. The increment of number of nauplii of Artemia at lower salinities 80, 100, 120, 140 ppt was due to the ovoviviparous kind of reproduction in lower salinity regimes, pre-adult stage was longest, reproductive traits were relatively rapid, with a precocious sexual maturity and a highest total offspring were observed in treatment with salinity 100 ppt.