author(s)
Castro-Mejía J, Castro-Mejia G, Monroy-Dosta MCA, Dávila-Sánchez F and Castro-Castellón AE

abstract
The use of heterotrophic bacteria as the food source in cladocerans diet to make massive production cultures has been little studied. So, this experimental study used Ceriodaphnia dubia cultivated in triplicate in 20 L plastic beakers at 19°, 21° and 25°C temperature, for 60 days. The bacteria source was obtained from screened liquid (20 µm) grown in Biofloc tilapias system. Every third day a sample of 500 mL was taken from each beaker and all organisms were counted. The maximum density was obtained at 19°±2°C was of 130,560±136 org, whereas, lower density was found at 25°±2°C with 107,833±461 org. The ANOVA analysis showed significant differences (P<0.001) between experimental treatments. Obtained reproduction rates values were r=0.058-0.063; Ro=12-14 org. per female and Tc=42 days. However, heterotrophic bacteria can be used as food to maintain cladocerans low density culture or in mixed diets with microalgae.