The Effect of Different Ground Materials on the Survival Rate of Tubifex tubifex (Müller, 1774) under Light/Dark Photoperiod Conditions and Mineral Matter Composition

Abstract

In this study, two experimental studies were conducted with Tubifex tubifex, which was adapted to laboratory conditions after being collected from nature. In the first experiment, the effect of some ground materials that can be used in controlled breeding conditions on the survival rates of T. tubifex was investigated. For this purpose, 7 different ground materials (trout mud, grain, vegetables, fish offal, cow liver, cow dung, and sand) were used. Initially, 20 T. tubifex were stocked for each repetition of the experimental groups consisting of these materials. At the end of the 45-day experiment, the number of alive individuals in the groups was compared. At the end of the experiment, alive individuals were observed in 3 groups including trout mud, cow dung, and sand. In the second experiment, the mineral substance compositions of living T. tubifex samples collected from nature were compared with the mineral substance compositions of alive individuals kept at different water temperatures (14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28ºC) for 90 days. In terms of magnesium, potassium, iron, copper, and zinc, statistically differences were found between the values measured at the beginning and at the end of the experiment. At the beginning of the experiment, while magnesium values tended to decrease in some groups, it increased in other groups. At the end of the experiment, it was determined that the potassium level was lower in all groups. At the end of the experiment, it was observed that the iron, copper, and zinc values were much higher than the values at the beginning of the experiment.