Effect of light on the hatching and growth of Artemia salina

Abstract

Dry cysts of the brine shrimp, Artemia salina (Indian strain) were exposed to different light intensities ranging from 1500 to 6000 lux and the percentage of hatching was found to be nearly 50% in all the four intensities. Cysts kept in total darkness had only 23% hatching. Nauplii, which were kept in total darkness, grew faster than the ones which were exposed to continuous light. This is due to lesser activity and uniform distribution which helped the nauplii to convert all the available food energy for their growth