Culture of infusoria

Infusoria is a live food that can be used as for young fry of small fish species which are unable to feed on larger live foods giving the optimal head-start towards healthy growth and development.

1. Culture of Infusoria W.Romen Mangang College of Fisheries Central Agricultural University r [email protected]

2. Infusoria in common " Infusoria " was the old-fashioned aquarist's quaint expression for a dense culture of water-borne protozoans of the freshwater plankton, especially rotifers and ciliates such as paramecium but including flagellates and amoebas. Infusoria were first observed in 1763 by microscopic examination of water, in which hay had been previously soaked. There are about 2,000 to 3,000 different species of infusorian protozoa under the genera  Paramecium, Bursaria, Blepharisma, Stylonychia, Spirostomum, Volvox, Stentor, Vorticella,  and  Epistylis . 11/21/2015 2

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4. The most common species includes: a) Algae (Volvox ) 11/21/2015 4

5. 11/21/2015 5 b ) Amoebas

6. c ) Euglena 11/21/2015 6

7. d) Paramecium 11/21/2015 7

8. 11/21/2015 8 e) Rotifers

9. 11/21/2015 9 f ) Stentor

10. 11/21/2015 10 g) Vorticella

11. Infusoria technically Infusoria are single-celled animals (protozoans) belonging to the family  Ciliata  and are quite different than the organisms raised in either "green-water" (single-celled algae and  Euglena ) or rotifer culture (multicellular invertebrates of the Rotifera ). Mostly originate from vegetable infusions – pulverized vegetation in water 11/21/2015 11

12. Paramecium The most familiar among the infusorian is paramecium , the "slipper animalcule“ They are unicellular and among the most advanced protozoans F eeds on bacteria that break down organic substances They are widely cultured as fish food Paramecium are commonly known as freshwater infusoria. 11/21/2015 12

13. Systematic position Phylum – Ciliohora Class – Ciliata Order – Hymenostomatida Family – Parameciidae Genus - Paramecium 11/21/2015 13

14. Biology Paramecium have a very distinctive slipper-like appearance Small size, ranging from 25 µm to 300 µm . P resence of many surface cilia (hairs) which are used for swimming and collecting food. They have a semi-transparent appearance and the interior nuclei and food containing vacuoles are readily seen as small globules under the microscope. They have distinct front (rounded) and rear (pointed) ends 11/21/2015 14

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16. Culture Ideal conditions for a ciliate culture, or "infusoria’’ are :- a) a starter culture plus organic nutrients. b) exposure to strong daylight (but not sunlight ). c) warmth (83 o F or 28.5 o C is ideal ) d) aeration e) somewhat alkaline pH above pH 7.0 (If the water is too soft, a shallow layer of crushed coral in the bottom of the container to keep the pH above 7.0 .) f) water free of chlorine 11/21/2015 16

17. Common methods employed for culture a) By using b anana peel b) Straw c) Lettuce (blanched or dried) d) Milk e) Liquifry f) Pablam or other powdered cereal g) Rabbit pellets h) Raw potato i) Rice - boiled j) Grass k) Yeast 11/21/2015 17

18. By using banana peels Add 2 to 3 banana peels are used in about 50 litres of water in an Aquarium or a Jar Cover with cloth to prevent entry of flies Water turns milky with foul smell after 2-3 days indicating bacterial growth after 4-5 days transparent light yellow colour appears with slime layer formation due to settling of floating spores of infosuria in the air Harvested when the slime on the surface of water breaks up & disintegrate Cultured continued by regular harvesting 11/21/2015 18

19. By using lettuce leaves Add 1 large clean lettuce leaf per litre of water. Pour on enough boiling water to cover then place this outside and allow to cool. Boling water can also be excluded The next day pour this into the tub and add enough aged tap water Keep in ideal temperature & light Green water with some infusoria observed after 5 to 6 days. In about 2 weeks it should be booming. 11/21/2015 19

20. By using Straw Dry straw or hay are added Add boiling water and allow to cool Transfer in an aquarium Add adequate amount of water After 5 to 6 days growth starts Peak growth after 2 weeks observed 11/21/2015 20

21. By using milk In this case a teaspoon or two pinches of milk powder is added in 50 L water Milk can also be used to sustain culture for regular harvesting By using Liquifry Provides a source of decaying substrate for bacteria which inturn as a food for infusoria. 11/21/2015 21

22. Others Simillary other methods are also employed such as potato Apple snail or Infusorial snails ( Ampullaria) are good in culture . Feed on the lettice leaves, hay or other water plants. The droppings (feaces) of the snail containing half digested leaves will help rise large number of infusoria 11/21/2015 22

23. Water plant along with Apple snail 11/21/2015 23

24. Importance The first kind of food young fry of small fish species need is  Infusoria. E ssential for very small fry which are unable to feed on larger live foods T o help fry through the first vital days of their lives and make sure that their stomachs are always full . Having a ready supply of infusoria can make the difference between success and failure for an entire hatching of young fry . It also gives fry the optimal head-start towards healthy growth and development . 11/21/2015 24

25. contd.. Their small size, ranging from 25 µm to 300 µm (a  µm = 1/1000 of a mm) makes them an ideal live food for young fry which have just consumed their yolk sac For comparison, brine shrimp  nauplii  are around 400 mm to 500 mm in size and are so big that many fry can't consume them until at least a couple of weeks after hatching . Infusoria can be raised on quite a variety of foods. 11/21/2015 25

26. Conclusion The set-up and maintenance of these cultures is really quite easy H ave excellent results rearing fry. Besides being small in size, they are soft bodied and nutritionally rich. Owing to these qualities, they surve ideally as starter feed for early stages of finfish and shellfish in aquaculture hatcheries. 11/21/2015 26

27. Thank You

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