The Effects of Different Culture Medium on the Growth of a Dinoflagellate (Cochlodinium polykrikoide) in Laboratory Condition

Abstract

Cultivation of C. polykrikoides was carried out using different culture media including f/2 medium (without silicate), modified f/2 medium, Conway, TMRL and ESM in the Iranian Shrimp Research Center in 2013. C. polykrikoides was cultured in test tubes, 100 ml, 250 ml, 500 ml Erlenmeyer flasks and in a 16 l aquarium, using 32 ppt seawater (27 ± 2°C) and with light intensity of 5000 lux, under cool-white fluorescent illuminations, and in a 12:12 h light-dark cycle. The best result was obtained using modified f/2 medium followed by TMRL medium. With ESM, cultivation was continued, in 100 ml Erlenmeyer flasks but it was not possible in more than 100 ml container. C. polykrikoides cultivation was unsuccessful with the f/2 medium and Conway medium even in the test tube. The results of the study showed that mass cultivation of C. polykrikoides was possible with modified f/2 medium even in an aquarium, but did not have favorable results with TMRL medium in the aquarium.