Effect of dietary diversification on the growth and reproduction of copepods, cladocerans, and rotifers

Abstract

Zooplankton plays a vital role in the successful propagation of aquaculture, as they contain nutrients those are essential for fish and shellfish larvae. However, the optimization of zooplankton culture using appropriate dietary strategies remains a challenge for sustainable larval aquaculture. In this regards, the present study examined the influence of the microalga Scenedesmus sp. on the growth performance of copepods (Cyclops sp. and Diaptomus sp.), cladocerans (Diaphanosoma sp. and Moina sp.), and a rotifer (Brachionus sp.). Five experiments were conducted with six dietary treatments, including live Scenedesmus sp., powdered Scenedesmus sp., their combination, live or powdered Scenedesmus sp. combined with baker’s yeast, and baker’s yeast alone. The growth performance of most of the zooplankton taxa was significantly affected by the dietary diversification. The combination of the live Scenedesmus sp. and baker’s yeast diet consistently showed the best results, suggesting that this mixed diet may be the most suitable feeding strategy for successful zooplankton culture.

J. Bangladesh Acad. Sci. 50(3); 415–429: September 2026