The reproductive potential of Artemia franciscana fed with different concentrations mixed diet with Porphyridium cruentum and Pinnularia sp. in laboratory

This experiment was made with two microalgae that produce HUFA (20:5w3, 22:6w3) used in different metabolisms functions, not only for this crustacean but also all the aquatic species that eat them. Five grams of cysts from Artemia franciscana were hatching and the nauplii were introduced in 180 L plastic containers with 160 L of saline water (60 gL-1). Five experimental treatments were made: A) 100% of Porphyridium; 100% of Pinnularia; c) 50:50% of both microalgae; d) 25% Porphyridium and 75% Pinnularia; e) 75% Porphyridium and 25% Pinnularia. Better production of biomass was obtained in 50:50% of both microalgae with 417.83 g, with Ro value of 16.57, Tc of 16.52, and r value of 0.19. The lowest value was with 100% Porphyridium sp. because all organisms were dyed before 45 days. In the other treatments, the population density decreased during all experiments. The conclusion of this experiment was that is better to use a mixed diet with these two microalgae.