Strategies to sustain rotifer peak biomass, distribution of rotifer re
sting eggs in the sediment, and relationship between rotifers and larv
al fish growth were studied in a series of pond experiments, After the
ponds were filled with water, herbivorous rotifers (e.g., Brachionus
calyciflorus) developed first, but were gradually replaced by predator
y rotifers (e.g., Asplanchna). Subsequently, herbivorous cladocerans (
e.g., il Moina sp) eventually replaced rotifers and dominated the zoop
lankton community. The occurrence of Asplanchna and Moina indicated th
e decline of B. calyciflorus. Peak rotifer biomass developed 8-10 d af
ter the ponds were filled with water at 20-25 C, 10-15 d at 17-20 C, 1
5-20 d at 15-17 C, 20-30 d at 10-15 C, and >30 d at <10 C, The abundan
ce of resting eggs in the top 5-cm sediment varied from 6 to 83/cm(2).
About 25% of resting eggs were buried in the top 5-cm sediment but th
e number of resting eggs decreased with increased sediment depth. Opti
mum rotifer biomass for silver carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix Larvae
stocked at 1,500,000/ha was 20-40 mg/L. High rotifer biomass (>20 mg/
L) usually lasted 3-5 d, but could be prolonged by pond fertilization
or cladoceran controls, A weekly application of dipterex at 0.05 mg/L
reduced cladoceran biomass but enhanced rotifer biomass. Our results i
ndicate with a careful management plan it is possible to synchronize t
he rotifer development with larval fish stocking.