The aim of the present experimental study was to better understand the foraging behavior of Asellus aquaticus. Different numbers of A. aquaticus were introduced into different experimental setups of unfertilised eggs, viable eggs, hatched larvae of Danio rerio. The number and time of A. aquaticus significantly affected the ratio of consumed non-fertilised eggs in each experimental cycle (MANOVA, p<0.05). A. aquaticus belongs to the aquatic saprophytes and no predatory behavior was observed during the experiments. They were able to distinguish between the dead eggs and those containing living embryos. Additionally, zebrafish larvae were not harmed by the A. aquaticus, even when there was not an alternative food source. The results help to understand the potential sanitary role of these crustaceans in natural waters and provide new insight into their possible application as a biological control organism in aquaculture hatcheries. Finally, our results indicate that there is a potential for A. aquaticus application against pathogens by reducing bacterial and fungal growth substrates.
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