A comparative study of different diets to optimize cultivation of Hyalella azteca in the laboratory

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the influence of four diets on the laboratory cultivation of H. azteca, seeking to improve production of young specimens through reduced mortality and better growth and number of offspring per couple. The best diet was composed of a mixture of diluted commercial fish food, diluted yeast and primrose oil, associated with fish food flakes containing spirulina. With this diet the maximum mortality was 25 percent (at the end of 28 days), the average number of offspring/couple was 11.4 +/- 2.8 (at the end of twelve days) and the peak weight and length of the males (at the end of 40 days) were 0.930 mu g and 5.26 +/- 1.1 mm, respectively. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.