The average Aquarist
goes to his/her Society’s meeting and listens to the
Guest Speaker talking about breeding various types of fish
and the first or second food mentioned (depending on the
type of fish) is ‘Newly Hatched Brine Shrimp’.
Rarely does the speaker tell how he accomplishes this feat
nor is the importance of the words ‘Newly Hatched
Brine Shrimp’ stressed enough.
Briefly let me say why I use Brine Shrimp. Firstly, I firmly
believe it is by far the best food for growth and one of
the easiest to handle. Secondly, it is easily stored and
ready for use as the eggs do not take up much space and
lastly, I find that I can keep the rearing tank clean with
very little effort.
The equipment I use is quite simple, namely, 1. Empty fruit
juice jars. 2. Aquarium salt. 3. A one-gallon plastic container.
4. The Brine Shrimp eggs. A hole is bored in the lids of
the jars big enough to take air tubing.
Twenty-four hours before the fry are able to take brine
shrimp, based mainly on previous experience plus the size
of the fry, I set up the hatching mix – six tablespoons
of salt to one gallon of water. I then fill one or two jars
with the brine heated to approx 90ºF (32ºC) and
add a level teaspoon of eggs to the brine, air tubing is
placed through the previously bored hole and then an air
stone is fixed to this and adjusted to aerate strongly (this
is essential). The jars are then placed in a tank heated
to approx. 80ºF (22ºC) – the water level
in this tank is about 2 in. (5cm) below the top of the jars.
From experience I have found that the higher starting temperature
means my first hatch is almost exactly 24 hours later, this
is important as, if it hatches too early, the fry may not
be able to take it by the time I get home as brine shrimp
grows at a very fast rate, thus the importance of the words
‘Newly Hatched’. Also I do not want the brine
shrimp to be too late in hatching, as the fry will require
feeding.
To remove the live shrimp from the jars with a minimum of
eggs and husks I place the jars in front of a strong light,
remove the lids and airstones and leave for approx. 10 mins.
When the turbulence subsides the live shrimp gather in two
distinct clouds, one at the top and one at the bottom of
the jars. These are syphoned off using a length of air tube,
through a handkerchief.
The excess water is squeezed out of the handkerchief and
the shrimps are then fed to the fry, the brine returned
to the jars and a 1-teaspoon of eggs added to the mix. When
the fry are eating brine shrimp they get extended orangey
coloured bellies.
Depending on the rate of growth the fry I continue to feed
brine shrimp for between seven and ten days and then I move
on to mashed tubifex.
The jars are set-up as described above last up to five days,
therefore, to ensure a continuous supply of shrimps two
or more jars are set up using the mix from the original
gallon container.
Finally, if you have tried other methods and failed why
not give this method a try – best of luck.
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