The present investigation was performed to assess the benefit effects of using bioflocs as a feed source on Artemia performances and water quality. The bioflocs were grown at four different salinities (35, 60, 80 and 100 ppt) in the plastic tanks using tapioca powder as a carbon source (C:N>10). Five feeding treatments consisting of mixed microalgae harvested from the fertilization pond in Vinh Chau considered as a control feed, which was compared to four bioflocs collected at different salinities for feeding Artemia. Both culture phases were carried out at a salinity of 80 ppt. Artemia naupllii were stocked communally to sexual maturity (adult stage) in a 10-L glass bottle with 3 replicates and at stocking density of 100 ind. l^-1 to determine the survival and growth, and then Artemia adults were reared individual couple in a 50-ml plastic Falcon tube with 40 replicates in order to observe the reproductive characteristics and life span.

The results showed that after 13 days of culture survival of Artemia was not different among feeding treatments, ranging from 77.2 to 84.9%. Although growth of animals fed the control feed (mixed microalgae) had longer total length, significant difference was only found between the control and the biofloc 35 ppt treatment. The pre-productive period of Artemia female in all feeding treatments was similar, varying in the range of 14.3-14.7 days. The reproductive performances (reproductive period, total offspring per female, number of brood) and life span of Artemia females in the control treatment was not significantly different from the groups fed the biofloc harvested at salinities of 60, 80 and 100 ppt, except the 35 ppt biofloc treatment. The total number of offspring encysted in all biofloc treatments was higher than in the control although there was no significant difference among treatments (P>0.05). Moreover, water quality parameters in terms of the concentrations of nitrogen (NH₄⁺, NO₃^-, NO₂^- and TN) and phosphorus compounds (PO₄^3- and TP) in the control treatment were usually higher than in biofloc treatments. It can be concluded that biofloc could be a suitable food for Artemia as well as help improve culture medium and indicate applying environmental friendly approach.