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Intensive Culture of Marine Harpacticoid Copepod, Nitokra affinis (Gurney 1927) in Aquaculture Wastewater under Laboratory Condition ��? A New Emphasis

C. Rajthilak, P. Santhanam, J. Sivakumar, C.Premkumar, P.Peruma

An investigation was made on the utilization of wastewater collected from the aquaculture farm near Mimisal, Pudukkottai District, Tamil Nadu (South East coast of India) for the culture of harpacticoid copepod Nitokra affinis under laboratory condition. During the culture period, the water quality parameters and microbial populations were monitored before and after the inclusion of copepods in aquaculture wastewater. The culture system with initial stock of Nitokra affinis produced an average of 650 ind/lit (i.e., nauplii- 350, copepodites - 200 and adults - 100) during the 21days of culture period. Further, there was a significant difference found in the concentration of heavy metals and nutrients. There was a gradual decrease found in the population of actinomycetes viz. 3.2×10-3 to 3.0×10-3CFU/ml and pathogenic bacteria (Vibrio) 5.9x10-3 to 3.9x10-3 CFU/ml was noticed. The total heterotrophic bacteria (beneficial microbes) level (CFU/ml) increased to 5.30×10-4from the initial level of 2.12×10-4. The present study suggested that probiotic microbes enhanced the population growth performance of Nitokra affinis in aquaculture wastewater