How to Keep Brine Shrimp Alive: A Complete Guide for Aquarium Hobbyists

Brine shrimp, also known as Artemia salina, are a type of small crustacean that have become an extremely popular live food source for aquarium fish. Their nutritional profile, which includes essential lipids, vitamins, minerals and amino acids, makes them an ideal supplement to flake and pellet foods. This has led to brine shrimp being a staple food for aquarists who want to make sure their fish are getting proper nutrition.

But keeping brine shrimp alive can be tricky. Their small size and delicate nature means they can die off quickly if not cared for properly. In this detailed guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about keeping brine shrimp alive, from buying them to storing them to culturing your own colony at home.

Buying Brine Shrimp

The easiest way for most aquarium hobbyists to obtain brine shrimp is to purchase them live from the pet store Brine shrimp sold this way are usually adult size, making them perfect for feeding to larger fish When selecting your brine shrimp, look for ones that are actively swimming in the tank. Avoid any that are laying on the bottom or floating at the top, as these are signs of poor health.

It’s best to buy brine shrimp in small quantities that can be used up quickly. The longer they sit in store tanks waiting to be sold, the weaker they will become. Try not to purchase more than a week’s worth at a time.

Many stores will also sell frozen brine shrimp. These retain much of their nutritional value and can be stored long term in your freezer. Thaw before feeding by placing in a cup of tank water.

Transporting Brine Shrimp Home

Once you’ve purchased your live brine shrimp you’ll need to get them home safely. The best way is to have the store place them in a disposable plastic bag filled with clean saltwater. Make sure there is enough air at the top of the bag so the brine shrimp don’t become oxygen deprived.

Travel directly home, limiting exposure to extreme temperatures. Cooler water will slow their metabolism, helping them survive the trip. Place the bag in an insulated cooler if your destination involves a long drive.

Never place store bags containing brine shrimp in with your regular groceries, as leaking saltwater could contaminate food. Keep them separate for safety.

Storing Brine Shrimp Short Term

Your goal should be to use live brine shrimp within 1-2 days of purchasing. But if you need to keep them alive a little longer, here are some tips:

• Place brine shrimp in clean, saltwater in a shallow container. The large surface area allows for gas exchange which they need.

• Use an airstone connected to a pump to oxygenate the water. Low oxygen is deadly to brine shrimp.

• Keep container in the refrigerator. The cold temperature of 35-40°F will slow their metabolism and extend lifespan.

• Change out at least half of the water daily with fresh, pre-mixed saltwater. This removes waste buildup.

• Feed sparingly, if at all. Uneaten food will foul the water. A few drops of phytoplankton is sufficient.

• Rinse brine shrimp in tank water before feeding to your fish to remove bacteria.

Under ideal conditions, adult brine shrimp may survive in refrigerated storage for up to 2 weeks. But expect mortality rates to rise the longer you keep them this way.

Housing a Brine Shrimp Colony

For a constant supply of live brine shrimp, consider housing your own colony. This allows you to hatch brine shrimp eggs and culture the larvae long term. Follow these tips for setting up a suitable habitat:

• Obtain a 5-10 gallon aquarium kit. Filters and lights will be needed.

• Use an aquarium salt mixture to mix clean saltwater per package instructions. Aim for a specific gravity of 1.010-1.015.

• Add a substrate like fine sand or very small gravel. This gives brine shrimp places to graze microorganisms.

• Install a hang-on-back power filter. Sponge filters also work well.

• Maintain stable water temperature between 75-82°F. Use a submersible heater.

• Use aquarium saltwater conditioner to remove chlorine and chloramines from tap water when doing water changes.

• Purchase brine shrimp eggs and hatch following directions. Introduce larvae to the tank.

• Feed newly hatched brine shrimp a powdered growth supplement a few times per week.

• Illuminate the tank on a daylight cycle using a fluorescent light to encourage algae growth.

• Change 10-15% of the water twice a week. Carefully siphon waste from the substrate.

With ideal water quality and adequate food sources, a brine shrimp colony can thrive for years. Just be sure to harvest shrimp regularly to prevent overcrowding. Use the healthiest adults to supplement your fish feeding regimen.

Hatching Brine Shrimp Eggs

In order to introduce larvae to your brine shrimp colony tank, you’ll need to periodically hatch brine shrimp eggs. This is an easy process that can be done at home. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Supplies Needed

• Container – A 1-2 liter plastic beverage bottle with the top cut off works well. Must allow for water circulation.

• Airstone – Connected to a pump or air pump to oxygenate water.

• Light – A fluorescent aquarium light or desk lamp. Light aids hatching.

• Heater – Submersible aquarium heater to maintain 75-82°F water temperature.

• Thermometer – Crucial for monitoring hatching water temperature.

• Eggs – High quality brine shrimp eggs purchased from pet store or online retailer.

• Salt – Use instant ocean or aquarium salt to reach desired salinity.

Instructions

• Mix 1 liter of clean water with salt until salinity reaches 1.010-1.015. Temperature should be 75-82°F.

• Add brine shrimp eggs, distributing evenly in water. Use 1⁄2 tsp eggs per liter of water.

• Begin aeration using airstone and pump. This circulates eggs and provides needed oxygen.

• Position light source above container to illuminate eggs.

• Wait 24-36 hours for eggs to hatch, checking periodically. Once larvae are swimming freely, they are ready to harvest.

• Turn off airstone and light. Larvae will be attracted to light. Use a flashlight to concentrate them in one area.

• Use a pipette or baster to transfer concentrated larvae to your brine shrimp colony tank.

Repeat hatching as needed to maintain your live brine shrimp culture. Having a steady supply of larvae and adults will ensure your fish always have access to these nutritious live foods.

Harvesting Brine Shrimp

When it’s time to harvest some adult brine shrimp from your colony tank to feed your fish, follow this simple procedure:

• Turn off filter and airstone briefly to prevent shrimp from being sucked in.

• Use a flashlight to concentrate the brine shrimp in one area of the tank. Their phototactic nature causes them to swarm to light.

• Insert a length of rigid airline tubing into the tank and position over the shrimp.

• Use a pipette or turkey baster to suck shrimp into the tubing. They will become trapped inside.

• Slowly remove tubing from tank with thumb covering the end so they cannot escape.

• Position harvest tube over a small container and release thumb to deposit brine shrimp.

• Return adults not being fed back to main tank by blowing through tube.

When harvested this way, brine shrimp can be rinsed of debris and fed out in appropriate amounts. Storing extras in saltwater in the fridge will allow them to remain alive for future feedings.

Feeding Fish with Live Brine Shrimp

When it’s time to feed your fish, make sure brine shrimp are rinsed free of saltwater and waste first. Place harvested shrimp in a cup of fresh dechlorinated water and swirl gently. Drain off and repeat one more time. This prevents fouling your tank water.

Carefully estimate the amount needed based on your fish load. Feed only what can be consumed in a few minutes. Uneaten live brine shrimp can quickly die and decay in the tank, spiking ammonia. Start with small amounts and adjust as needed.

Use a pipette or baster to blow a concentrated stream of rinsed brine shrimp into the tank current. This allows fish to easily see and consume the live food. Target areas fish frequent to ensure all get some.

It’s generally recommended to feed brine shrimp as a treat just 1-3 times per week. They should supplement a good quality pellet or flake, not completely replace it. Offer brine shrimp as part of a varied diet for optimal nutrition and health.

Troubleshooting Common Brine Shrimp Problems

Caring for brine shrimp does come with some potential pitfalls. Here are some common issues and how to address them: