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2.3.1 Culture of paramecia

Yuko Wakamatsu
Nagoya University

2.3.1.0 General information

Paramecia and cyanobacteria are suitable feed for fry during first two weeks after hatching. We culture both paramecia and cyanobacteria in a mixed condition and use the culture as feed without any treatment. Paramecia and cyanobacteria can be cultured separately with the same method described below. We obtain cyanobacteria from green-colored water (we say “green water”) in fish tanks which are kept outside.

2.3.1.1 Co-culture of paramecia and cyanobacteria

  1. Materials: a 1L-size beaker, 5% skim milk solution (Keep at 4ºC upto one week), A mixed culture of paramecia and cyanobacteria, dechlorinated tap water
  2. Add 100mL of the mixed culture of paramecia and cyanobacteria and 600µl of the skim milk stock solution to 400ml of dechlorinated tap water in the 1L beaker.
  3. Cover the open end of the beaker with a plastic sheet.
  4. Keep the culture on a corner of the fish room (26ºC, 100lx).
  5. Add 600µl of the skim milk stock solution to the culture after two days of the beginning of the culture, when the paramecia and cyanobacteria increase in the number and culture solution became clearer and more green.
  6. Two to three days after, the skim milk is ate out by the organisms and the paramecia and cyanobacteria increase enough in the number. The culture show a bright green color. We use 100mL to 200mL of the culture at this stage as food for 10 to 30 fry in 4 L to 15L tanks every 2 to 3 days.
  • Two to 5 day-old cultures can be used for subculture.
  • Cultures look opaque with the component skim milk are not suitable for feed.
  • Check cultures sometimes under a microscope to confirm paramecia and cyanopacteria are predominant in the cultures.

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Last-modified: 2022-08-23 (Tue) 08:34:24