Detection and culture feasibility of a soil nematode (Panagrellus redivivus), a potential live feed for prawn larvae in Bangladesh

Abstract

The free-living soil nematode, Panagrellus redivivus is recently known to be an inexpensive, standardized and permanently available food source for first feeding fish and crustacean larvae. The present study was aimed mainly at the development of a suitable culture technique of the species P. redivivus so as to be used as live food for the prawn larvae. The study has got the species morphologically detected in the local soil ground, which was found available under some specific environmental condition. About 30% of soil moisture, pH value of 7, 200 C temperatures and 5 cm soil depth were found better for higher availability and yield of the species. For culture feasibility, the experiments were conducted using different culture media with a combination of different incubation temperatures (22, 24, 25, 26, 27 and 280 C) and incubation periods (8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20 days). Five different media (oatmeal, oatmeal with sunflower oil, cereal, raw potato and boiled potato) were used for the mass production of this nematode where the local and cheap boiled potato media was observed as the most successful and feasible one followed by the oatmeal media. The mass production of the species was found most suitable at the temperature of 260 C on around 14th day of culture period. A good quantity, 1, 50, 032±9, 285 individuals of nematodes were harvested highest from 1 gm of boiled potato media. This new technique for mass production of P. redivivus would enable fish and prawn hatchery operators to an alternative live food item to the highly expensive Artemia which is commonly used in Bangladesh.