Microalgal Diet Influences the Nutritive Quality and Reproductive Investment of the Cyclopoid Copepod Paracyclopina nana

Copepods represent an interesting alternative or a complement live food to brine shrimps and rotifers commonly used in aquaculture. They constitute the natural prey of many fish species therefore do not require potential nutritional enrichment. But optimization microalgal diets feed copepods is essential improve their mass culture. This study examined effects seven diets, namely single-species Rhodomonas salina (R), Tisochrysis lutea (T), Pavlova lutheri (= Diacronema ) (P), two-species (R + T, T P, R P), three-species diet on fatty acid monosaccharide composition cyclopoid copepod Paracyclopina nana as well its reproductive investment. Experiments were run during 15 days 10-L beakers; starting with nauplii collected from large 300-L batch contents studied, particularly relative amounts docosahexaenoic (DHA) eicosa-pentaenoic (EPA). The R, induced highest total amount copepods. also generated lowest DHA/EPA ratios due high EPA contents. value monosaccharides was found fed P. Diets greatest prosome volumes clutch ovigerous females. Both volume females correlated individual amount. results demonstrated that all including R. enhanced productivity culture, when combined T. . , complementary profiles, confirming represents best microalgae combination for productive culture Conversely, did enhance profile nor fecundity first demonstrate suitable microalga use