Rotifers are natural initial bait for fish larvae in freshwater. Here, the effects of various concentrations of acidified eggshell powder solutions (0, 20, 40, 80, 160, and 320 mg/L) on the growth and reproduction of the rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus were evaluated in culture experiments (11 days). The population density, catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and Na and Mg contents in rotifers were significantly higher in the 20-160 mg/L groups than in the control group. A redundancy analysis showed that the Na, Mg, Cr, K, and Ca contents were positively correlated with the rotifer population density and CAT and SOD activity. Furthermore, the generation time and lifespan of F2 rotifers were significantly higher in the 20-40 mg/L treatment groups (82.0 ± 3.7 hr and 162.0 ± 2.7 hr, respectively) than in the control group (64.0 ± 4.0 hr and 128.0 ± 4.0 hr, respectively). Average egg production in F2 rotifers was significantly higher in the 20-80 mg/L treatment groups (15.2 ± 0.7 individuals) than in the control group (11.7 ± 1.2 individuals). These results indicate that 20 mg/L eggshell powder is optimal for growth and reproduction in B. calyciflorus, providing a theoretical basis for using new mineral sources in high-quality open bait for fish larvae.
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