The Effects of Dunaliella tertiolecta, Tetraselmis suecica andNannochloropsis oculata as Food on the Growth, Survivaland Reproductive Characteristics of Artemia urmiana

Artemia is the most widespread live food used in the production ofdifferent stages of many aquaculture organisms. it is a non-selective filterfeeding organism. generally, microalgae are the most favorable feeds forartemia, particularly when the algal species have suitable size, digestibilityand nutrient values. this study was performed to compare the efficiency ofthree microalgae namely dunaliella tertiolecta, tetraselmis suecica andnannochloropsis oculata for growth, survival and reproduction efficiency ofartemia urmiana in laboratory conditions. artemia cysts were harvested fromurmia lake and hatched according to standard methods. live microalgaewere cultured using the f/2 culture medium. artemia survival was determinedin treatments on days 8, 11, 14, 17 and 20. the results indicated a significantdifference (p<0.01) among three microalgae in terms of growth, survivalrates and reproduction characteristics in a.urmiana. in spite of higher lengthgrowth of a.urmiana fed on n.oculata than t.suecica but survival andreproduction in a.urmiana fed on t.suecica was better than the firsttreatment. in general, d.tertiolecta was more efficient than t.suecica andn.oculata on a.urmiana, hence, it is preferred for feeding a.urmiana.