Title: The effect of disinfection on survival and feed quality of rotifers (Brachionus plicatilis) and Brine shrimp (Artemia salina)

Live feeds are used as an essential component during the larval stages of most marine finfish species in aquaculture. The microbial accumulation in batch culture of live feed has been identified as one of the major factors limiting the expansion of commercial farming of aquatic species in many countries. The main focus of the present study was to test the use of the antimicrobial agents bronopol (Pyceze) and Sanocare ACE for the disinfection of enriched rotifers and brine shrimp (Artemia) in a marine hatchery. The study also involved a feeding experiment with three different feeds in rotifer batch culture (Rocult, yeast and algae paste). The study has successfully tested disinfection protocols that were highly effective with regards to survival and feed quality of rotifers and brine shrimp. The results indicate that the use of 50 ppm bronopol for 2 hours is a very effective protocol for rotifer disinfection with negligible lethal effects on rotifers. A combination of 100 ppm bronopol and 600 ppm Sanocare ACE for 22 hours was a very effective disinfection protocol for brine shrimp with only moderate lethal effects on the brine shrimp. The commercial feed Rocult was the best feed in the feeding experiment but an inexpensive yeast diet proved almost as good.