Bangladesh has no naturally occurring Artemia, and all the growing shrimp hatcheries of the country depend entirely on import of cysts from foreign countries. Following successful inoculation of Artemia and production of cysts for the first time in this country in a coastal saltpan (at Chanua, Banskhali) by the senior author (in 1989-90), a similar second attempt was made under this programme in a saltpan (1000 m super(2)) of Demoshia, Chakaria, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh between January and April 1992. A total of 1639.9 g (dry weight) of cysts (i.e. 5.46 kg DW/ha/month) have been produced using the Red Jungle Brand, whereas the previous attempt obtained 517 g of cysts (i.e. 2.07 kg DW/ha/month) using the Great Salt Lake Brand

Belal Haider, S.M.

Mahmood, N.

Quaderi Saikat, S.

Aquatic Commons

Pakistan Journal of Marine Sciences, Vol.2(1), 23-31,1993. 
SUCCESSFUL INOCULATION OF ARTEMIA AND 
PRODUCTION OF CYSTS IN THE COASTAL SALTPANS 
OF BANGLADESH ll 
Nuruddin Mahmood, S.M. Bela! Haider and Sohel Quaderi Saikat 
Institute of Marine Sciences, University of Chittagong, Chittagong, Bangladesh 
ABSTRA.Cf: Bangladesh has no naturally occurringArtemia, and all the growing shrimp hatcheries of the 
country depend entirely on import of cysts from foreign countries. Following successful inoculation of 
Artemia ·and production of cysts for the first time in this country in a coastal saltpan (at Chanua, Banskha-
li) by the senior author (in 1989-90), a similar second attempt was made under this programme in a salt-
pan (1000 m1 of Demoshia, Chakaria, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh between January and April1992. A total 
of 1639.9 g (dry weight) of cysts (i.e. 5.46 kg DW /ha/month) have been produced using the Red Jungle 
Brand, whereas the previous attempt obtained 517 g of cysts (i.e. 2.07 kg DW /hajmonth) using the Great 
Salt Lake Brand. 
KEY WORDS: Artemia culture - cyst production - saltpans - Bangladesh coast 
INTRODUCTION 
Artemia, commonly known as brine shrimp is about 12 mm in length. All over the 
world Artemia cysts are used as one of the most important food items both in fmfish 
and crustacean hatcheries for mass production of fry. This small planktonic crusta-
cean occurs naturally in some extreme regions of the ecological niches in saltlake and 
brine ponds with salinity ranging between 60 and 300%o; and does not occur in every 
existing body of saltwater. It is unable to migrate from one saline biotype to another 
via the sea because it does not have any anatomical defence mechanism or structure 
against predation by carnivorous aquatic organisms. Because of its unnatural occur-
rence Artemia cysts are to be imported in large quantities from abroad and its nauplii 
are used as a live food for the larvae and juveniles of many cultured species such as 
freshwater prawns (Macrobrachium sp.), shrimps (Penaeids), lobsters (Homarns sp.), 
crabs and different finfishes (Bardach et al. 1972; Sorgeloos, 1976; Rosemark, 1978). 
Nauplii ofArtemia are easily and quickly obtained by hatching them in seawater. 
They survive and remain active in water of different salinities. Even when put in 
freshwater, mortality occurs only after 2-3 hours of exposure. 
In extremely high salinity conditions of earthen saltpans constructed all over the 
world in the tropical and subtropical belt for solar salt extraction, only few plant and 
animal species can live, the most popular organism being the Artemia (Persoone and 
Sorgeloos, 1980). 
Artemia eggs are very high in nutrient value, they contain 52% protein and 27% fat. 
Nauplii and Instar 1, contain 40% protein and the adult has a protein content of 60% 
of the dry weight which makes them an excellent food (Tunsutapanich, 1979; Sorge-
loos and Kulasekarapandian, 1984). 
In Brazil a great potential for commercial scale inte~ated production of 
24 Pakistan Journal of Marine Sciences, Vol.2(1), 1993 
salt+ Artemia +shrimp production in saltpans has been demonstrated (Sorgeloos, 
1983). 
Now it is proved that inoculation ofArtemia cyst in man-managed solar saltpan can 
play a vital role in mass production of Artemia and salt. Recently in South America 
and Australia Artemia has been transplanted by man for improvement of the quality 
of salt produced from the saltpans (Sorgeloos and Kulasekarapandian, 1984). 
From quite a long tiine back, in the coastal belt of Banskhali, Chakaria, Cox's 
Bazar, Kutubdia, Matharbari and Moheshkhali islands are used extensively for pro-
duction of salt from the salt pans. So, there is a great potential for culture of Artemia 
as a by-product of salt extraction from the coastal saltpans of Bangladesh. 
Thailand, India and the Philippines which have no natural population of Artemia 
have recently started production of cysts from the saltpans by successful inoculations 
(Vos and Tunsutapanich, 1979). 
Karim (1974) and Mahmood & Begum (1978), initiated laboratory scale research 
work on A1temia in Bangladesh and for the first time field trials gave some prelimi-
nary positive results on culture of Artemia in Bangladesh (Mahmood, 1989). The first 
successful production of Artemia biomass and cysts were reported from a coastal 
saltpan of Bangladesh (Banskhali) by the senior author (Mahmood, 1990) through 
inoculation of nauplii hatched out from cysts (Great Salt Lake Brand, U.S.A.). A 
similar second attempt has been made through this study to produce cysts and Arte-
mia biomass using the Red Jungle Brand, U.S.A. 
Vos and Rosa (1980) stated that more than 50 different strains exist world over with 
differences in specific characteristics such as hatching rate, nauplius size, viability, 
optimal temperature and salinity range requirements etc. Until now it has been 
possible to examine production performances of only one strain in our coastal saltpan 
(Mahmood, 1990), and thus lot of work remain to be done in this line to sort out the 
strains suitable for culture in our coastal climatic conditions. 
MATERIALS AND METHODS 
The study area was located in Demoshia (Chakaria) opposite to Matharbari and 
Moheshkhali Islands in the coasts of Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh (Fig.1). A traditional 
saltpan located in the study area was renovated to meet the requirements for integrat-
ed production ofArtemia cysts and salt (Fig.2). 
Field preparation was started in December 1991 on a small plot of land (1000 m2). 
An existing saltpond was modified for integrated production of Artemia biomass, cysts 
and salt. 
Water depth of the pond was maintained to around 30 em to prevent attainment of 
too high temperature. It was done by slight excavation of the bottom soil and by 
raising height of the dykes. Vos (1979) mentioned that water temperature ofArtemia 
culture pond should not exceed 35-36°C. 
Water intake structures were prepared to allow water intake at regular intervals. 
Compaction of the soil on the dyke was made to prevent leakage and seepage through 
the dykes and pond bottom. 
Two Artemia production ponds (APP) ( 45 m2 each) and a series of evaporation 
compartments were constructed (Fig.2). 
Mahmood et al: Inoculation of Anemia in Bangladesh 
IJ... 
0 
9 2" 
25 
Fig.l. Map showing geographical location (black dot) of the experimentalArtemia 
production ponds in a coastal saltpan of Demoshia, Chakaria, Cox's Bazar. 
26 Pakistan Journal of Marine Sciences, Vol.2(1), 1993 
At the dyke sides of theArtemia production pond (APP) cyst barriers were fabricat-
ed with bamboo frame and lined with black polyethylene sheet for collection of cysts 
at ease. 
'Lab-lab' is undesirable inArtemia ponds. Unlike shrimp it is not a good food for 
Artemia and when it starts floating it can seriously hamper cyst harvest (Vas and 
Rosa, 1980). Pond bottom was dried, raked up and all traces of decayed 'lab-lab' 
were removed. 
Sea water of 25 ppt was pumped in the reservoir on January 9, 1992 which passed 
through a screen of 1 mm mesh to prevent entrance of shell or finfish larvae. This 
water was drawn from a mangrove estuary near the experimental saltpan. Water of 
mangrove area has a much higher food content for Artemia in its suspended organic 
detritus particles (Vas and Rosa, 1980). 
After six days of water intake, salinity was increased about 57 ppt by gradual evapo-
ration. Then pond water was fertilized with both inorganic and organic fertilizer as 
follows: inorganic fertilizer : 180 g of urea was applied in each pond (APP); organic 
fertilizer; simultaneously 3.6 kg of dry chicken manure was also applied in each pond. 
Weekly replenishments were made at the rate of 45 g of urea and 900 g of dry chick-
en manure in each pond. Fertilization was done when the pond water level attained 
its maximum after intake of fresh brine in order to ensure bloom of phytoplankton. 
Artemia cysts (Red Jungle Brand, U.S.A.) weighing 30 g were taken in a plastic 
container and 3 litres of seawater (about 35%o) were added with provision of contin-
uous aeration. After an incubation period of 30 hrs, the nauplii hatched out. Newly 
hatched nauplii were taken in a polyethylene bag, concentrated sea water from APP 
was introduced slowly and gradually to help adapt nauplii to the temperature-salinity 
regime of the APP. Then nauplii were distributed throughout the whole pond uni-
formly. The nauplii were inoculated to APP at 7 pm on the 22nd of January, 1992; 
Hydrometeorological parameters (water temperature, dissolved oxygen, salinity and 
pH) of the APP were recorded at five days intervals following standard methods 
(APHA, 1976) at the culture site. 
Water depth was maintained around 30 em and water temperature below 35°C. 
Salinity gradually increased to as high as 153%o. From time to time, concentrated 
brine from the Artemia production pond (APP) was drained to the crystallization 
pond to produce salt. 
Cysts were collected regularly from along the side o~ the cyst barriers where they 
aggregated following wind drift. A fine meshed scoop was used for this purpose. 
Soon after collection cysts were put on a sieve and washed with several changes of 
freshwater to remove soluble matters. The cysts were then transferred to a container 
filled with water of 250-300%o. Aeration was provided continuously from a tube. The 
cysts kept on floating at the surface while other solid matter such as earth, sediments 
and other particles sank to the bottom of the container. Cysts were then removed 
from the container and allowed to be dried in the air to about 10% moisture content 
level avoiding direct sunlight. The dried cysts were transferred to screw capped con-
tainers and kept in a cool dry place such as a freezer. 
OBSERVATIONS AND RESULTS 
PHYSICO-CHEMICAL PARAMETERS: 
Air temperature was recorded from the experimental area, mean of which has been 
Mahmood et al: Inoculation ofArtemia in Bangladesh 27 
SUPPL-Y CANAL 
I'!ESERVOIR 
Ev. P. Ev.P. 
Ev.P. Ev.P. 
Ev.P. Ev.P. 
Ev.P. Ev.R 
Ev.P. Ev.P. 
A.P. P. A. P. P. 
Ev.P. Ev.P. 
II S.C.P. S.C.P. 
Fig.2. Layout of theArtemia cyst production and evaporation ponds (over 1000 m2) in 
the coastal salt producing area of Demoshia,. Chakaria, Cox's Bazar. 
(Ev.P.=Evaporation pond. APP=Artemia production pond. SCP=Salt crystal-
lization pond). 
shown in Fig.3a. During the study period, the lowest mean atmospheric temperature 
was 22.5°C, recorded on 29th February, 1992 and highest (33°C) on 5th, lOth and 
15th of April, 92 (Table I). 
The mean values of water temperature have been plotted in Fig.3a. The lowest 
mean water temperature (19°C) was recorded on the 13th, 15th and 29th February, 
1992 and the highest (34.2°C) on the 15th of April, 1992 (Table I). 
InArtemia production ponds minimum salinity was found to be 50%o at the begin-
ning of the experiment during the month of January and the maximum (153%o) in 
April (Fig.3b, Table I). 
The range of dissolved oxygen (mean value) varied between 4.0 and 6.0 mlfl. The 
maximum and minimum values were found to be 6.0 and 4.0 ml/1 in the month of 
January and April respectivley (Table I). 
During the experiment water depth varied between 24 and 30 em with a mean value 
of 28.06 em. Minimum depth was encountered on the 15th of January and the 
maxima on 31st January, 8th February and lOth April, 1992 (Table I). The hydrogen 
ion concentration of the APP (Table I) during the study period was observed to be in 
the range of7.7 to 7.9. 
28 Pakistan Journal of Marine Sciences, Vol.2(1), 1993 
Table I. Envrronmental parameters of the Anemia cyst production ponds during 
pre-monsoon dry season of 1992. 
Date Air Water Water Salinity DO pH Seawater Remarks 
Temp. 
(oC) 
Depth 
(em) 
Temp. 
(oc) 
(%o) (mljl) Salinity 
(%o) 
15/1/92 24.0 24 22.0 50 6.0 7.9 25 
20/1/92 25.0 27 23.0 70 5.7 
25/1/92 24.5 29 22.0 79 5.6 
31/1/92 25.0 30 23.0 85 5.2 7.8 
04/2/92 26.0 28 24.0 94 5.1 
* 08/2/92 24.0 30 22.0 93 5.7 H.R. 
13/2/92 23.0 27 19.0 97 5.3 
* 15/2/92 23.0 29 19.0 94 6.0 7.8 H.R. 
20/2/92 23.0 28 21.0 98 5.4 
29/2/92 22.5 27 19.0 101 5.1 
05/3/92 . 26.0 27 25.0 110 4.8 
10/3/92 29.0 27 29.0 116 4.5 
15/3/92 29.5 28 30.0 120 4.4 7.9 
20/3/92 30.0 27 30.5 123 4.3 
25/3/92 30.5 27 31.0 129 4.4 
31/3/92 32.2 27 33.0 135 4.3 7.8 
05/4/92 33.0 28 34.0 141 4.0 
10/4/92 33.0 30 34.0 148 4.0 
15/4/92 33.0 29 34.2 153 4.0 
* Heavy rainfall 
Table II. Anemia density and cyst harvest record during pre-monsoon 
dry season of 1992 
Date Population density Cyst harvest 
(individuals /1) Cyst weight (g) Dry weight (g) 
15/1/92 nauplii released 
20/1/92 40.0 
25/1/92 80.0 
31/1/92 120.0 
04/1/92 135.0 140.0 79.0 
13/2/92 160.2 210.0 104.5 
29/2/92 230.0 242.2 127.4 
05/2/92 233.0 243.0 132.0 
10/3/92 240.1 297.0 147.0 
15/3/92 250.0 300.4 152.0 
20/3/92 257.0 320.0 163.0 
25/3/92 289.3 347.0 173.0 
31/3/92 307.0 356.0 183.0 
10/4/92 320.0 373.0 187.0 
15/4/92 323.0 378.0 192.0 
Total: 3,206.6 1,639.9 
40 
35 
0 30 
. 
~ 
w 
0:: 
~ 25 
< 
0:: 
w 
II.. 
:120 
w 
1-
15 
JAN 
Mahmood et al: Inoculation ofArtemia in Bangladesh 29 
I 
I 
I 
I 
I 
I 
\ "' I \../ '" 
FEB MAR APR 
• ~ 
• 
>-
1-
160 
140 
120 
;;; 100 
-
.J 
< 
(/) 80 
60 
40~~---L-------L------~--~ 
15 31 29 31 15 
JAN FEB MAR APR 
00 00 
Fig.3. (a) Distribution of atmospheric (solid line) and aquatic temperature (broken 
line) during January-April, 1992 in the experimental Artemia culture area of 
Demoshia, Chakaria, Coxis Bazar; (b) Gradual increase of salinity in two 
Artemia production ponds (APP) during the experimental period (January-
April, 1992). 
ARTEMIA BIOMASS AND CYST PRODUCTION: 
Artemia were harvested with a dip net. A continued and steady increase in popula-
tion density ofArtemia is apparent form the data (Table II). Highest density (323 
individuals/!) was recorded onApri115, 1992. 
Cysts were found to accumulate on the cyst barrier on the 3rd of January, 1992. 
Cyst collection was started on 4th January and continued till April 15th. A total of 
1639.9 g (dry wt.) of cysts were harvested during the whole course of the experiment 
(Table II). 
DISCUSSION 
In the present study Artemia dry cyst production was 5.46 kgjha/month using the 
Red Jungle Brand (U.S.A) as the inoculator (Table II) whereas the previous attempt 
(Mahmood, 1990) obtained 2.07 kg/ha/month using the Great Salt Lake Brand, 
U.S.A. In view of production performances between these two different strains it 
appears that Red Jungle Brand is probably more useful for culture in our coast. 
In the Philippines cyst production of Artemia was achieved to 20 kg DW cysts/ 
ha/month (Jumalon et al., 1987). Lower rate of production in our two prelimit;tary 
experimental studies may he due to sudden lowering of the ·salinity regime in the 
Artemia production pond (APP) as a result of sudden and irregular rainfall during the 
period of experiments or other environmental conditions, and the geographical strains 
30 Pakistan Journal of Marine Sciences, Vol.2(1), 1993 
utilized (Mahmood, 1989, 1990). So, a continuous and intensive study is necessary to 
tag the useful strains for Bangladesh coast from among more than 50 round the world 
(Vos and Rosa, 1980). 
In the coastal salinas of Banskhali, Chakaria, Cox's Bazar, Kutubdia, Matharbari 
and Moheshkhali Island poor families are largely dependent on salt extraction from 
the ,solar saltpans. There this integrated technology can be easily adopted by salt 
farmers to culture Anemia as a by-product of salt production. An integrated culture 
system Anemia + salt + poultry + shrimp can be established in the coastal saltp~n 
area of Bangladesh. From poultry, chicken dung could serve as a good source of 
organic manure in the APP. This practice can easily fulfill the domestic demand of 
Anemia. 
A successful hatchery operation is dependent on appropriate nutritionally balanced, 
non-polluting, economically viable and readily acceptable feed to obtain the optimum 
growth and survival (Sorgeloos and Kulasekarapandian, 1984). Thus there is no 
match of Anemia as a source of feed in hatcheries. 
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 
We are grateful to BARC (BangladeshAgricultural Research Council) for giving 
fmancial support for this research project. 
REFERENCES 
APHA, 1976. Standard methods for the examination of water and waste water. 14th Ed. N.Y. Amer. Pub. 
Health Assoc. 1193 pp. 
Bardach, J.E., J.H. Ryther and W.C. McLarney. 1972. Aquaculture, John Willey, N.Y. 868 pp. 
Jumalon, N.A, D.G. Entenoir and D. Ogburn. 1987. Commercial production of Artemia in the Philip-
pines. In: Artemia Research and its Applications, Vo1.3. (Sorgeloos et al., eds.). Universal Press. 
Wettem, Belgium. Pp.239-252. 
Karim, M. 1974. Survival of brine shrimp, Artemia nauplii under controlled condition of temperature and 
salinity. Bangladesh Journal of Zoology 2:65-69. 
Mahmood, N. 1989. Preliminary study on growth of Artemia in the coastal saltpans of Bangladesh. 
Annual Prog. Report. BARC Contract Research Scheme, IMS. C.U., Bangladesh. Pp.l-9. 
Mahmood, N. 1990. Preliminary study on culture of Artemia'in the coastal saltpans of Bangladesh. Final 
Report, BARC Contract Research Scheme; IMS, C.U., Bangladesh. Pp.l-15. 
Mahmood, N. and B. Begum. 1978. On hatching of Artemia nauplii under different conditions of tem-
perature and salinity. Chittagong University Studies 2: 103-106. 
Persoone, G. ·and Sorgeloos, P. 1980. General aspects of the ecology and biogeography of Artemia. In: 
The Brine Shrimp Artemia. Vo1.3: Ecology, Culturing, use in Aquaculture. (Persoone et al., eds.) 
Universal Press, Wettem, Belgium. pp.3-24. 
Rosemark, R 1978. Growth of Homarus americanus onArtemia salina diets with and without supplemen-
tation. Proceedings of the Meeting of World Marlculture Society 9:251-257. 
Sorgeloos, P. 1976. Artemia salina as live food in aquaculture. In: Jaspers. E. (Ed.), Europian Marlculture 
Society Special Publication 2: 37-46. 
Sorgeloos, P. 1983. Live animal food for larval rearing in aquaculture; achievements, constraints, perspec-
tives (Bilio et al., Eds.) Europian Mariculture Society Special Publication. 300pp. 
Mahmood et al: Inoculation ofA1temia in Bangladesh 31 
Sorgeloos, P. and Kulasekarapandian, S. 1984. Production and use of Artemia in aquaculture. Central 
Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Cochin, India. Special Pub. No.15. 74pp. 
Tunsutapanich, A. 1979. Cysts production ofArtemia salina in salt ponds in Thailand. FAO/UNDP: 
THA/75/008 Project Manual. THA: 75:008:80:WP /9. Pp.1-14. 
Vos, J. 1979. Brine Shrimp (Artemia salina) inoculation in tropical s~lt ponds: A Preliminary guide for use 
in Thailand. FAO/UNDP:THA/75/008 Project Manual. THA/008:79/WP /4. Pp.1-14. 
Vos, J. and N.L. de LA Rosa. 1980. Manual onArtemia Production in salt ponds in the Philippines, 
FAO /UNDP /BFAR Project Manual PHI/75 /005 /WP 6. Pp.1-48. 
Vos, J. and A. Tunsutapanich. 1979. Detailed report on cyst Inoculation in Bangpakong, Chachengsao 
Province, FAO/UNDP Field Document (THA/75/008). 


Successful inoculation of Artemia and production of cysts in the coastal saltpans of Bangladesh II

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