Rotifers
Microscopic planktonic animals used as first food for fish larvae and marine invertebrates. Essential for marine breeding.
Detailed explanation
Rotifers (Brachionus plicatilis for marine aquariums, B. calyciflorus for freshwater aquariums) are microscopic organisms (100-300 microns) that reproduce rapidly.
They are the most important live food for marine fish larvae in the first days of life. Artemia nauplii are too large for many larvae: rotifers fill that gap.
Rotifer culture requires: a container with salt water, aeration, phytoplankton as food (Nannochloropsis), temperature 25-28 degrees. The population doubles every 1-2 days.
Enrichment with HUFA (highly unsaturated fatty acids) before administration to the larvae is essential for their nutrition.