Breeding and life cycle of the ornamental freshwater shrimp Neocaridina davidi in a biofilm‐based culture system

• Published in: Aquaculture research Vol. 51; no. 9; pp. 3847 - 3864
• Main Authors: Viau, Verónica Elizabeth, Pérez, Jonatan Gabriel, Tomas, Ana Laura, Fracas, Pablo Andrés, Veira, Florencia Belén, Vatnick, Itzick, López Greco, Laura Susana
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Hindawi Limited 01.09.2020
• Subjects: Animal husbandry; Aquaria; Aquariums; biofilm; Biofilms; Breeding; Ciliates; Colour; Culture; Cyanobacteria; Diatoms; Economics; Environmental conditions; Fecundity; Females; Freshwater; Freshwater crustaceans; Growth; Incubation; Incubation period; Inland water environment; Juveniles; Life cycle; Life cycles; Life history; Marine microorganisms; Market prices; Neocaridina davidi; ornamental aquaculture; Ova; Ovaries; Phytoplankton; Pigmentation; Polystyrene resins; red cherry shrimp; Substrates; Survival; Water exchange
• ISSN: 1355-557X; 1365-2109
• DOI: 10.1111/are.14733

Neocaridina davidi is a popular shrimp in the aquarium industry; however, information regarding its husbandry is scarce. In this study, we investigated the contribution of biofilm to its life cycle, comprising three successive phases: (1) the evaluation of biofilm growth on plastic nets (PN), plastic sheets (PS) and agrovelo (AV); (2) the reproduction of adult shrimp to get juveniles (JI); and (3) the effects of biofilm on the survival and growth performance of JI. Trials were performed in aquaria with zero water exchange and natural environmental conditions. Biofilm was composed mainly of microalgae, diatoms, cyanobacteria and ciliates and used as the sole diet. Survival, biomass and biochemical reserves of JI reared in this culture system were significantly higher in the presence of PN and AV substrates. The occurrence of ovarian maturation and egg incubation of female shrimp in these treatments indicate that biofilm supplied the energy required for somatic growth and fecundity. Harvested females also displayed the size and the red pigmentation associated with premium pricing. Based on these results, it is concluded that N. davidi can complete the life cycle and display characteristic life history traits in a low‐cost biofilm technology system without losing economic value as ornamental species.