A research on the culture of medicinal leech (Hirudo verbana Carena, 1820) in aquarium conditions

In this study, the culture of medicinal leech (Hirudo verbana), having an economic value and facing the danger of extinction, in aquarium conditions was examined. Two different culture media were chosen for five-month study. The leeches were grown in media 1 (TS) aquariums with 10 cm depth and cocopeat in 40% humidity and in media 2 (YS) aquariums with water and floating material (styrofoam). During the experiment, mean temperature, humidity and light intensity were 21.68±0.2 °C, 39.60±0.40% and between 10% (low) and 20% (low), respectively during the day. In the experiment, broodstocks with a mean weight of 3.21±0.04 g for TS group and 3.25±0.01 g for YS group were placed in test aquariums with 3 replicates and 16 broodstocks for each replicate. As a result of the experiment, no cocoon production was detected in YS group. A total of 58 cocoons were collected from TS group. 164 larvae were obtained from these collected cocoons. The mean weight, height and width measurements of cocoons were 0.06±0.01 g, 1.38±0.04 cm and 0.82±0.02 cm, respectively. The average weight of the larvae was 0.028±0.001 g. At the end of experiment, the mortality rates of broodstock leeches were 16.67% in TS group and 41.67% in YS group. As a result, it was determined that the culture medium containing cocopeat is more suitable for the production of leeches when considered the survival rates and reproduction.