Effect of different feeds on reproduction performance, nutritional components and fatty acid composition of cladocer water flea (Daphnia magna)

This research evaluated the growth, survival, proximate and fatty acid composition of water flea (Daphnia magna) fed baker's yeast (BY) and three types of microalgae diets. In this study, two freshwater microalgae; Botrycoccus braunii (BB) and Chlorella vulgaris (CV), one marine spray-dried microalgae, Nannochloropsis oculata (SDN), and baker's yeast were evaluated for herbivorous zooplankton Daphnia magna. Survival, reproduction and population density of Daphnia magna have been studied. Daphnia reproduction was enhanced by utilization of baker's yeast diet with increasing egg number, juvenile and adult female numbers among treatments during the experimental period. Daphnia fed SDN diet increased egg number only 7th day of experiment. Population density and survival was positively affected by utilization of baker's yeast at the end of the experiment. Protein levels enhanced by SDN diets while Daphnia fed Botrycoccus braunii diet showed the highest lipid and EPA content in Daphnia. Overall, each diet improved different part of nutrients in Daphnia biomass.