Abstract:

Collection and culture of live foods to be used in studies of feeds for rearing finfish and shellfish larvae in Taiwan began in 1982. Today, 31 species (49 strains) of microalgae, three species (nine strains) of rotifers, one cladoceran and one copepod are hold as start culture. Microalgae are collected from local waters and obtained from foreign collection centers. The most common genera are Chlorella, Nannochloropsis, Tetraselmis, Chaetoceros,Skeletonema, Isochrysis, and Pavlova. Some interesting genera such as Ellipsoidion, Nannochloris, Synechococcus, and Alexandrium are also included. Three types of rotifers, i.e. L, S, and SS-type, which are classified as Brachionus plicatilis, B. rotundiformis, and Brachionus sp. are found in Taiwan waters. Among the rotifers, six strains have been isolated and cultured. Another L-type strain and two SS-type strains were obtained from foreign sources. The cladoceran Diaphanosoma aspinosum and copepod Apacyclops royi are the most common species used in aquaculture. Studies of live foods including their morphology, culture techniques, fatty acid composition and nutritional value as feeds have been undertaken.
(Taiwan Fisheries Res. Inst., Tungkang Marine lab., Tungkang 928, Taiwan)
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