A preliminary study of using Artemia salina as life food for scleractinian coral, Galaxea fascicularis

Abstract

This study was undertaken to access feasibility of using Artemia salina nauplii as life food for coral, Galaxea fascicularis. The coral specimens were fed with Artemia salina nauplii at 1.0 X 10 2 , 2.0 X 10 3 , 4.0 X 10 3 , 6.0 X 10 3 , and 1.0 X 10 4 ind. r1 under light and dark conditions. Under light condition, optimal feeding rate of Galaxea fascicularis was 113.6 ± 5.10 ind. polyf 1 hour·' while under dark condition, optimal feeding rate of Galaxeafascicularis was 77.1 ± 20.64 ind. polyp· 1 hour· 1 • Feeding of Galaxea fascicularis was not significantly different (p > 0.05) under light and dark conditions. However, feeding rates changed significantly with time (p < 0.05) when the corals are fed with high nauplii density. To determine digestibility of Artemia salina nauplii by Galaxea jascicularis, the gastrovascular cavity's contents of the polyps were withdrawn using a 1-ml syringe at 10, 30, 60, 90, 120, 180, 420 minutes. The gastrovascular contents were observed and captured by using a microscope with digital camera attachment (Motic). Artemia salina nauplii are highly acceptable by Galaxea jascicularis. Complete digestion of Artemia salina nauplii by Galaxea fascicularis was observed after 180 minutes. These results indicate that Artemia salina nauplii are feasible and a potential life food for maintaining Galaxeafascicularis under captivity