Brine shrimp, scientifically known as Artemia, are small aquatic crustaceans that make an excellent live food source for fish and other aquatic pets. Raising brine shrimp at home is easy, cost-effective, and enjoyable. In this article, we will cover the steps to successfully raise brine shrimp.

1. Gather the necessary equipment and supplies:

To get started, you will need the following items:

– A brine shrimp hatchery or a clean, transparent container

– Brine shrimp eggs (cysts)

– Saltwater (made using marine salt mix)

– Air pump with tubing

– Fine mesh net or sieve

– Infrared or other suitable heat source (optional)

2. Set up your hatchery:

Firstly, clean your hatchery or container thoroughly and place it in a suitable location away from direct sunlight. Attach the air pump and tubing to create water circulation within the hatchery. This aids in oxygenation and prevents the brine shrimp eggs from settling at the bottom.

3. Preparing saltwater:

Prepare saltwater by following the instructions on your marine salt mix package. Generally, you will need a specific gravity of around 1.018-1.028 for optimal brine shrimp growth.

4. Adding eggs to the hatchery:

Once your hatchery is set up, add approximately one teaspoon of brine shrimp eggs for every gallon of water into the hatchery. Gently stir the water to distribute the eggs evenly.

5. Optimal hatching conditions:

Maintain a temperature between 77-82°F (25-28°C) to ensure optimal hatching conditions for your brine shrimp. You can use an infrared bulb or alternative heat source if required. Keep in mind that low temperatures may lead to slower hatching rates.

6. Hatching process:

Brine shrimp eggs typically hatch within 24-48 hours after being added to the hatchery. You will notice small, orange-colored nauplii swimming in the water once they begin to hatch.

7. Harvesting:

After about 48 hours, you can start harvesting the brine shrimp nauplii. Turn off the air pump and wait for the nauplii to settle at the bottom of the container. Use a fine mesh net or sieve to collect them. Gently rinse harvested brine shrimp with fresh water before feeding them to your fish or other aquatic pets.

8. Ongoing culture:

For a continuous supply of brine shrimp, set up multiple hatcheries and stagger their hatching times by adding eggs every couple of days.

9. Raising to adulthood (optional):

If you wish to raise your brine shrimp to adulthood, transfer them to a separate container with clean saltwater, provide proper aeration and feed them microalgae or prepared commercial feed. Adult brine shrimp can reach maturity in two weeks under optimum growing conditions.

Caring for and raising brine shrimp is not only rewarding but also beneficial for your aquatic pets’ health and well-being. Follow these steps, and you’ll have a thriving colony of brine shrimp that serves as an excellent live food source for your fish, corals, and other invertebrates.