acatnote

Guernsey Sea Farms

Handling notes for acartia and tisbe copepods

On arrival measure water quality parameters and record observations on condition of stock on our datasheet / delivery note.
Allow bottles to equilibrate to room temperature naturally over 1-2 hours.

The bottles were chilled to 10oC prior to despatch and should arrive cool.

Pour into open topped containers and reduce the density to less than 100 per litre by adding filtered seawater(1).

Arrange gentle aeration ( or other mechanical mixing method )

This is simply achieved with a glass tube fed from an 'aquarium type' pump to give single bubbles of air.

If keeping for more than 24 hours feed algae according to ISO method (3)

Always check condition of algae and cell count on haemocytometer before use.

When handling (eg. for water changes or for removing test specimens) do not allow to rest on a mesh. Concentrate (with a fine submerged mesh) and transfer by pouring, siphoning or wide mouth pipette.
The condition of the culture is usually obvious by the swimming activity of adults. The rate at which the algae is cleared and the production of nauplii are also good indicators. If well maintained, the culture should last until their age is >20 days which is the maximum age recommended for testing.

NOTES.

(1) If you have any doubt about the quality of your seawater, consider ordering some from us. This will not necessarily be better quality but at least it is the same as the animals have been cultured and transported in.

(2) We can supply algae free of charge with copepods . Normally we will supply a mixture of 2 or 3 species with details on the datasheet. To maintain this culture pour into glass flask and aerate vigorously about 12" from fluorescent light at 15-20oC. It should last for at least 48hours. Consult us if you require for longer periods.

REFERENCES

(3) see ISO 1994 'Determination of acute lethal toxicity to marine copepods' . Feeding table is reproduced as table 8A.2 in WRc /NRA R&D Note 322 manual.

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