Download Green Water Culture

Green Water Culture
Green Water is composed of phytoplankton which is a valuable source of food for fish larvae and fry.
Phytoplankton is also used to feed Daphnia Magna, Brine Shrimp, Gammarus Shrimp, and Rotifer cultures. In
fact, extensive use of phytoplankton can be observed in various fields of aquaculture. The reason for the wide
application of phytoplankton is due to the fact that they compose the base food chain in nature. In
aquaculture, the technique of rearing fish larvae with phytoplankton green water culture is called Green Water
Technique. The Green Water Technique is used in hatcheries due to various benefits which include:
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Provide a direct food source for fish larvae and fry.
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Provide an indirect food source for fish larvae and fry by maintaining nutritional value of live prey
organisms.
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Stablilization of water quality through removal of metabolic waste and produce oxygen.
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Stimulate non-specific immune system of fish larvae and fry by providing polysaccharides found in
algal cell walls.
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Enhancing the visual contrast through light dispersion for fish larvae and fry with developing
perception organs.
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Microbial control.
A simple way to utilize the benefits of phytoplankton is to use the Green Water Starting Culture offered by
AquaSnack. Just mix it with water to make an instant Green Water solution. The Green Water Starting Culture
consists of Arthrospira platensis, commonly known as Spirulina. It contains 70% protein in dry weight and
provides vital amino acids for fish larvae and fry. Other beneficial content includes potassium, calcium, zinc,
magnesium, manganese, selenium, iron, and phosphorus. It is rich in chlorophyll as well. In addition to feeding
fish larvae and fry, the Green Water Culture can be used to feed Daphnia, Brine Shrimp, Gammarus Shrimp,
and Rotifer cultures. In addition, the high concentration of nutritional value makes Green Water suitable for
bioencapsulation of various live feed such as Brine Shrimp.
www.aquasnack.co.uk
Green Water Culture
What do you need to start your own Green Water Culture?
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Pure Green Water Starter Culture (that’s what AquaSnack offers).
2 or 3 glass jars with lids (1.5 litre each).
Bright lamp or direct sun light.
Pipettes.
How do you make it?
Provide the culture with aeration, nutrients, and light. First, add distilled water into 2 or 3 sterile containers
(glass jars). Provide aeration with an air pump or a large water surface area. Add our Green Water Starter
Culture to each container (glass jar). A strong light source such as sunlight must be provided for phytoplankton
growth. Maintain a temperature range of 20°C - 24°C at pH 7.0 - 8.0. Allow the phytoplankton to grow until the
water turns completely green. This process takes approximately 7 – 10 days.
Maintenance
It is advisable to keep at least a couple of different cultures operating at the same time (more if you have a lot
of fish spawning or about to spawn) to ensure that there is always a strong culture available for feeding.
Storage of a back-up culture in a second location also provides some insurance against failure of the primary
cultures.
Feeding Fry
Once the fry have absorbed their yolk sacs and become active swimmers (about one to three days after
hatching, depending on the species), samples of the culture liquid can be added directly to the fry tank. You
can use a pipette or a glass turkey baster to remove liquid from the culture. Somehow, by sight or smell, the
small fry are able to detect the presence of the microscopic food. One can soon see the fry making quick
jerking movements as they capture the phytoplankton. It's difficult to know exactly how much to feed since
the food can't be seen in the tank. Some breeders suggest that 30 ml is sufficient for fifty fry in a 20-liter tank
while others simply say to feed large quantities. Since this is a live food, normally found in fresh water, excess
phytoplankton won't die and foul the water. This fact, along with the essential vitamins and nutrients
contained in live food, are major benefits to using these cultures.
www.aquasnack.co.uk