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Selection of Suitable Media and Intervals of Media Inoculation for Culturing Tubificid Worms

M. F. A. Mollah
Department of Fisheries Biology and Genetics, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh.

K. Mosharaf
Department of Fisheries Biology and Genetics, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh.

Mariom
Department of Fisheries Biology and Genetics, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Tubificid worms are aquatic invertebrates, belonging to the class Oligochaeta and family Tubificidae, used as an important live food for fishes. The study was conducted to culture Tubificid worms under running water in order to develop a suitable culture media and an optimum duration of media inoculation for culturing Tubificid worms. The worms were cultured under two experiments in cemented culvert system (160×25×10 cm3) for 90 days. In the first experiment the worms were cultured in three different media designated as treatment-I, treatment-II and treatment-III. The highest yield (503.39±22.98 mg cm^-2) was found at 70th day of culture duration in the culture media containing a mixture of 35% mustard oil cake, 20% wheat bran, 25% cow-dung and 20% fine sand (treatment-III). Only 1.99 kg media ingredients valued BDT 29.85 were needed to yield 1 kg worms. In the second experiment, the worms were cultured at three different intervals of media inoculation i.e., 6, 10 and 15 days interval designated as treatment-I, treatment-II and treatment-III respectively using the media found best in the first experiment. Inoculation of media at 10 days interval showed significantly (P<0.01) higher production (488.94±5.60 mg cm^-2).

Keywords: Tubificid worms, Oligochaeta, Culture media, Intervals of media inoculation.

Location: Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) campus, Mymensingh, Bangladesh

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Animal Health and Management

Commodity: Feed

Objectives:

No suitable feed has been developed for the larvae to replace the live food to date so far as the growth and survival rate are concerned. Therefore finding a suitable culture media with optimum interval of media inoculation for culturing these worms was felt important.

Methodology:

Two experiments were conducted in cemented culvert (160×25×10 cm³) system under a tin-shed to develop a suitable culture media and to assess the suitable interval of media inoculation for the production of Tubificid worms. Experiment-I: Selection of suitable culture media: The worms were cultured in three different media to conduct a 3×5 factorial design (3 treatments each with 5 replications) for 90 days. Experiment-II: Determination of suitable time interval of media inoculation to the culture system This experiment was designed based on experiment-I and was carried out for a period of 90 days. Here the worms were cultured in three different intervals of media inoculation i.e., 6, 10 and 15 days interval under three treatments namely treatment-I, treatment-II and treatment-III. Culture procedure: Before starting the experiment, the culture culverts were washed and cleaned thoroughly with fresh water. Water was continually supplied from the deep well to a water reservoir tank with which the culverts were connected a by stop cork. Each culvert was facilitated with inlet (porous PVC pipe of 180 cm long and 1 cm² diameter) and outlet to assist in the renewal and removal of water concurrently. The required amount of locally available ingredients mentioned in Table 1 were collected and measured by a laboratory balance (TANITA, KD-160) on a proportional basis to make up 1000 g of media for each culvert. The ingredients were then mixed with sufficient amount of water in three different fibreglass tanks and kept for seven days for decomposition. Subsequent mixing was done every morning and evening for better mineralization. Then required amount (250 mg cm^-2) of the well-mixed media was suffused to each of the culvert using a small plastic bowl. Live Tubificid worms were collected from the drains of Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) campus, Mymensingh, Bangladesh. Collected worms were cleaned using flowing water and conditioned over 24 h in a flow-through system. At first, media were introduced to the culverts and water flow was adjusted at a rate of 1.24±0.33 L min-1 to keep the dissolved oxygen above 5 ppm. After 24 h the collected worms were inoculated at the rate of 1.25 mg.cm-2 (i.e., 5 g culvert-1). The periodic supply of culture media was done once in every 10 days at 1000 h at the rate of 250 mg cm-2 in respective culverts. Water flow was stopped during media addition. Following water quality parameters were recorded during the experimental period: a. Water temperature: Water temperature of the culture culverts was recorded with digital thermometer at 1000 h once in every 10 days before sampling. b. Dissolved oxygen: Dissolved oxygen (DO) was determined with the help of Dissolved Oxygen Meter (Model: DO- 5509) once in every 10 days before sampling. c. pH: Water pH was measured by using portable digital pH Meter (Model: HI 98127) once in every 10 days before sampling. Collection of worms from each culvert was initiated after 40th day of the inoculation of Tubificid worms at every 10 days interval to determine the growth and multiplication as well as the production of the worms before the introduction of new media. Tubificid worms were collected by a glass tube having a diameter of 2.2 cm from three randomly selected places of each culvert. They were cleared from their respective media by water flow and finally parted from the unwanted particles using forceps and dropper. Separated worms were dried with tissue paper and weighed using a Matler electric balance graduated in 0.000 g. Data were analyzed through one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Turkey’s HSD post hoc for multiple comparisons. Statistical analysis was performed using the statistical software SPSS version 11.5 with the level of significance at P<0.05.

Source of Information: J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 10(2): 325–330, 2012 ISSN 1810-3030

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Although the production of Tubificid worms is increased with congenial water temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH and water flow rate, suitable media and appropriate interval of media application to the culture system have substantial impact on the production of the worms.

Knowledge Management: Journal