Production of Artemia (Franciscana, Urmiana and Parthenogenesis) biomass and cysts in concrete pools using formulated diets

Different species of Artemia can use food particles including brans, algae, bacteria and suspended particles. In this study, a diet formulated to feed Artemia in concrete pools to evaluate the production capacity of Artemia biomass for 3 weeks and Artemia cysts for 15 weeks. The control treatment used a diet containing algae + yeast and the nutritional groups used a formulated diet. Thus, 2000 nauplii per liter for biomass production and 100 nauplii per liter for cysts production were added to concrete pools. Feeding was performed according to standard instructions. Production rate and physicochemical parameters of water as well as biochemical and microbial compositions of the medium were investigated. The highest amount of biomass (wet) and cysts (dry) were obtained in Artemia franciscana fed formulated diet, which was equal to 1455 and 10.37 g in 750 L, respectively (P<0.05). The total protein and carotenoids in the body of Artemia fed with formulated diet showed significantly higher values (P<0.05) than the control groups, which were the highest value in A. Franciscan. The results showed that use of the formulated diet and induction of nutrients into the Artemia breeding environment, in addition to provide Artemia nutrients, due to the presence of beneficial bacteria, variety of algae and bran and micro food particles in the diet, increases the growth and quality of Artemia.