2 replies to this topic

[centrarchid]

We will be rearing batches of D. magna and stocking them into ponds to improve forage quality for paddlefish that will be stocked in afterwards. Cultures will be reared on blue plastic food grade barrels and have a slow continuous rate of water exchange and supplemental aeration. Science side will be comparing high quality but expensive Spirulina powder to a mixture of lower cost alfalfa meal and yeast. Concern is the alfalfa meal and yeast will degrade water quality before culture is ready to transfer to culture pond. We are also trying to see how long it takes to get culture biomass up under conditions we have available in hatchery building.

[michifish]

Link to Doug Sweets article(London State Fish Hatchery Ohio)

Daphnia Culture Made Simple - Betta Source

[centrarchid]

Link to Doug Sweets article(London State Fish Hatchery Ohio)

Daphnia Culture Made Simple - Betta Source

We will be following the methodology above closely in terms of feeding methods. The alfalfa meal option was not explored and likely to be more practical for farmers I'm working with. I have used the alfalfa meal and yeast mix personally with 2,000-gallon creamery vats where water fleas were used for feeding crayfish trials. Key difference is we need water flea production volumes that are cheap and easy to move with end loader attached to a tractor.