The Complete and Updated "Rotifer Polyculture Method" for Rearing First Feeding ZebrafishChristian Lawrence 1, Jason Best 1, Jason Cockington 2, Eric C. Henry 3, Shane Hurley 1, Althea James 1, Christopher Lapointe 1, Kara Maloney 1, Erik Sanders 4
1Aquatic Resources Program, Boston Children's Hospital, 2UQ Biological Resources, University of Queensland, 3Reed Mariculture, 4Aquatics Lab Services
Larval zebrafish are adapted to feed on zooplankton. It is possible to capitalize on this natural feature in the laboratory by growing first feeding fish together in the same system with live saltwater rotifers. This "polyculture" strategy promotes high growth and survival with minimal labor and disturbance to the larvae.