Live Feed (Moina & Daphia) Culture

Moina & Daphnia Culture.

I almost don't know how to differentiate between Moina & Daphnia, that why before this post i mention about Daphnia instead of Moina...Yesterday morning, i sit in a class called "Live Food Production In Aquaculture" lecture by En. Abdullah at UPM. I have opportunity to learn this types of live feed and how to differentiate it. After that class i have better understanding about this creature.

Actually Moina or Daphnia is water fleas or Kutu air and both of them close related...How to differentiate them???


(1) Daphnia

Daphnia

Inside Daphnia

Anatomy of Daphnia

In term of size, Daphnia much bigger that Moina. Dapnia good to be feed to big size fish.


(2) Moina

Moina micrura

In Malaysia and Singapore, Moina most preferred and no. 1 live feed for rearing freshwater fish because of easily consume by small fish and easily to propagate. Moina have ability to survive in oxygen poor environtments is due to Moina's capacity to synthesis haemoglobin. The high temperature tolerance also give great advantage for both commercial fish farmers and hobbyists culturing live food at home. What they eat?? Moina feed on various groups of bacteria, yeast, phytoplankton and detritus for energy and growth. Their life cycle is quite short. Moina exibit both sexual and asexual (No need Male) reproduction. Normally asexually (parthenogenesis). Under optimum conditions, Moina reproduce at only 4-7 days age, with a brood size of 4-22 per female. Broods are produced every 1.5-2.0 days, with most female producing 2-6 broods during their lifetime.

Life Cycle

What is nutritional value inside Moina?? why it was chosen? The nutritional content varies considerably depending on their age and type of food they consume. Protein content usually 50% of the dry weight and adult have a hinger fat content than juveniles. Good nutrient for juvenile fish.


Practical Started..

Now i wanna to try by myself to culture both of them in my room, hopefully they will grow and propagate happily. What materials i need are some Moina (get from Pasar pudu) and Daphnia, yeast, chicken manure, fishmeal, light source, aquarium, green water and water.

Moina & Daphnia aquarium set up

Daphnia & Moina food not include the artemia

Can't wait to see they "beranak pinak"...To be Continue..