The Brine Shrimp, <i>Artemia salina</i> & Its Culture Potential in India

Abstract

Studies on a natural population of A. salina in the salt pans of Tuticorin indicate several characters differentiating the Indian strain from other strains. The Indian strain shows completely parthenogenetic reproduction and predominance of oviparity. These shrimps reach a maximum size of only 10 mm and attain early maturity and reproduce in 12 days. Artemia cysts hatch out at higher salinities of 130-160% thus suggesting that the hatchability of these cysts in nature is entirely ditJerent from laboratory conditions and might be on ecological adaptation. The potential annual yield of Artemia eggs from 1 ha is about 30 kg. In view of its increasing exploitation, necessary resource management and utilization measures for optimizing the yield are suggested Advantages of culturing A. salina to enhance natural production of eggs are indicated.