1. Brine shrimp eggs may be purchase from a scientific supply company or at
a local pet supply store.
2. Brine shrimp culture should be made 24 hours in advance and can be kept
indefinitely, if fresh salt water is added on a continual basis.
3. The common brine shrimp (artemia) are closely related to zooplankton
such as Daphnia and are often used as live food for aquariums. The artemia
life cycle begins by the hatching of dormant cysts which are encased embryos
that are metabolically inactive. The cysts can remain dormant for many years
as long as they are kept dry. When the cysts are placed in salt water, they are
rehydrated and resume their development. After 15 or 20 hours at 25 degrees
C (77 degrees F), the cysts burst and the embryo leaves the shell. For the
first few hours, the embryo hangs beneath the cyst shell, still enclosed in the
hatching membrane. The embryo will grow and progress through 15 molts
before reaching adulthood in approximately 8 days. Adult artemia average
about 8mm long, but can reach lengths of 20 mm under ideal conditions.
Other variables of importance are pH, light and oxygen. A pH of 7.5-8.5
is optimal, and can be lowered with muriatic acid (any type of acid may be
used) or increased with baking soda. A minimum amount of light is
necessary for hatching and is beneficial for increased adult growth. Two liter
soda bottles with the tops cut off and filled with tap water make great
hatching containers. To the bottle filled with water add 10 to 20 grams of salt
without iodine and a pinch of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda). Test the pH
to make sure in stays in a range of 7.5-8.5. Aeration is necessary and can be
accomplished by a small air pump with a length of tubing long enough to
reach the bottom of the bottle. Aeration should be light, as the eggs will not
hatch if aeration is too brisk.
Feeding the brine shrimp is necessary if the culture is to be used for
A solution of baker's yeast and fish tank water to form a milky solution is an
ideal food for
the growing brine shrimp. The brine shrimp culture only needs a few drops
of the yeast
solution as they are not big eaters and overfeeding can foul the culture. The
can be placed in a dropper bottle and stored in the refrigerator.