William Sullivan, “Effects of Salinity & Decapsulation on Artemia salinia Hatching Efficiency & Nutritional Composition”
Mentor: Dong-Fang Deng, Freshwater Sciences

Artemia salinia commonly known as brine shrimp is a commonly used live feed for aquatic species during early life stage feeding because of their small size, and nutritional quality (protein and lipid). Artemia cysts (eggs) can be stored for long periods and hatched when needed.  However, hatching efficiency, nutrition and physical quality may be influenced by the hatching conditions.  The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of decapsulation and varying salinities (15g/L, 20g/L, 25g/L, 30g/L, 35g/L) of the hatching medium on Artemia quality based on hatching efficiency, physical size, and nutrient composition.  The ultimate goal is to optimize a protocol for hatching high quality Artemia.  Decapsulation is the process of removing the alveolar (outer) layer of the cyst to ease the energic burden of hatching: this was achieved through submersion in a bleach solution while under constant aeration followed by washing with dechlorinated water.  Temperature was stable at 28⁰C with constant aeration and illumination; stocking density was 5g dried cysts in 3L of hatching medium. Artemia samples were collected to evaluate for percentage of hatching, nutrient contents, and the body dimensions at 18, 24, 42, and 48 hours after hatching. Hatching efficiency was found to increase significantly (P<0.05) across all salinities with decapsulation, along with a trend of increasing hatching efficiency as salinity decreased, with 15g/L having the greatest overall. The hatching reach peak level at 42 hours for Artemia hatched under different conditions. The results on nutrient density are pending for analysis and  will be completed by the presentation.  These findings suggest that decapsulation should be considered in Artemia hatching protocol and that a salinity of 15g/L is recommended as the hatching salinity.  The information of this study will provide baseline information to aid fish hatcheries optimize protocols on Artemia production.