| Rotifer.com | |
|
|
|
| Coming Soon - New Protocols for culturing Rotifers | |
| * What is a Rotifer? | |
| * Live "Instant Rotifers" / Prices | |
| * Receiving Your Rotifers | |
| * Rotifer Counts | |
| * Culturing Rotifers | |
| * Rotifer Floss (Filter) | |
| * Oxygen Generators | |
| * How Many Do I Need? | |
| * Enriching Rotifers | |
| * Rotifer FAQ | |
| * Rotifer Discussion Boards | |
| * Rotifer Production System | |
| Zooplankton | |
| Copepods | |
| Mysid Shrimp | |
 |
|
Culturing Marine Rotifers for Freshwater Applications
Marine rotifers are generally considered more prolific and robust than freshwater species, and are therefore the preferred choice. The drawback is that rotifers grown in 20-30 ppt salinity explode when put in freshwater. But there is an easy solution - grow the marine rotifers at 4 ppt. At 4 ppt marine rotifers such as Brachionus plicatilis will grow very well, although they won't be quite as prolific. When the 4 ppt rotifers are put in fresh water (0 ppt) they will stop reproducing but remain healthy, alive, and will maintain their enrichment levels (for at least 1 hour).
To cultivate 4 ppt rotifers it is necessary to drop the salinity gradually. We recommend lowering it no more than 5 ppt per day. While you are lowering the salinity the egg count and reproductive rate will be reduced, but once the rotifers have been at the target salinity for 48 hours they should rebound quickly. Make sure that the free ammonia level is kept low (preferably less than 0.5) to avoid stressing the animals.
For more information about raising rotifers please visit our website at www.rotifer.com/grow.asp
