The performance of a small-scale, high-density, continuous system for culturing the rotifer Brachionus plicatilis

The performance of a high-density continuous system was evaluated as an alternative to conventional low- density batch-culture systems for culturing the rotifer Brachionus plicatilis. Rotifer densities ranging from 1700 to 3760 individuals/mL were achieved in 4 different trials that lasted 10-18 days. Problems associated with NH3-N and pH were controlled by increasing the water exchange rate and periodic addition of ammonia remover. While NH 3 -N and pH values were 0-8.8 mg/L and 6.9-9.3, respectively, the most important problem was the accumulation of TSS at concentrations of up to 85 mL/L within a very short time after start-up. Further studies are required to develop simple and cost-effective filters that reduce TSS concentrations. Use of continuous systems in combination with concentrated algae is potentially an effective alternative to existing batch-culture systems.

[1]  Wade O. Watanabe,et al.  Intensive Rotifer Production in a Pilot‐scale Continuous Culture Recirculating System Using Nonviable Microalgae and an Ammonia Neutralizer , 2008 .

[2]  T. Pfeiffer,et al.  Evaluation of a Sodium Hydroxymethanesulfonate Product for Reducing Total Ammonia Nitrogen in a Small-Scale Rotifer Batch Culture System , 2006 .

[3]  A. Hagiwara,et al.  Recent development of a high density mass culture system for the rotifer Brachionus rotundiformis Tschugunoff , 1997, Hydrobiologia.

[4]  A. Hino,et al.  Development of a continuous culture system for stable mass production of the marine rotifer Brachionus , 1997, Hydrobiologia.

[5]  K. Reitan,et al.  Comparison of rotifer culture quality with yeast plus oil and algal-based cultivation diets , 1994, Aquaculture International.

[6]  P. Sorgeloos,et al.  Technical and economical feasibility of a rotifer recirculation system , 2003 .

[7]  Kenji Tanaka,et al.  A novel culture system for the ultra-high-density production of the rotifer, Brachionus rotundiformis: a preliminary report , 2003 .

[8]  A. Hagiwara,et al.  Live food production in Japan: recent progress and future aspects , 2001 .

[9]  P. Sorgeloos,et al.  Advancement of rotifer culture and manipulation techniques in Europe , 2001 .

[10]  P. Sorgeloos,et al.  High-density production of the rotifer Brachionus plicatilis in a recirculation system: consideration of water quality, zootechnical and nutritional aspects. , 2000 .

[11]  A. Hagiwara,et al.  Culture technology of marine rotifers and the implications for intensive culture of marine fish in Japan , 1996 .

[12]  K. Hirayama,et al.  The effect of un-ionized ammonia on the population growth of the rotifer in mass culture , 1986 .