Raising healthy baby shrimp starts with feeding them the right diet. As juveniles, shrimp have different nutritional needs than their adult counterparts. Understanding what to feed baby shrimp is key for successful breeding and rearing.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll cover everything you need to know about feeding shrimp fry. From their wild diets to commercial foods, let’s dive into the best practices for nourishing your baby shrimp.
The Natural Shrimp Fry Diet
In the wild baby brine shrimp graze on microalgae phytoplankton, and zooplankton. Their mouths are too small to eat anything besides these tiny organisms. Here’s an overview of the main components of a shrimp fry’s natural diet
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Microalgae – These microscopic, single-celled algae float throughout the water column They provide protein, omega-3s, and other nutrients
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Phytoplankton – Plant-based plankton like diatoms are another key food source. Phytoplankton offer essential fatty acids, minerals, and vitamins.
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Zooplankton – Animal-based plankton such as protozoa and rotifers provide protein for growth and development.
This microdiet gives brine shrimp the balanced nutrition they need in their earliest life stages. The goal is to mimic this wild diet as closely as possible when raising shrimp fry in captivity.
When to Start Feeding Baby Shrimp
Shrimp babies live off yolk reserves in their eggs for 1-2 days after hatching. After this endogenous feeding stage, they are ready for exogenous food sources.
Begin feeding brine shrimp nauplii within 2 days of hatching. At this point their mouths have developed enough to effectively filter-feed. Delaying feeding could stunt their growth.
Some hobbyists recommend waiting 3-5 days before feeding fry. But research shows brine shrimp nauplii survival is highest when fed within 48 hours post-hatch. Feed shrimp babies early and often for optimal growth.
Best Practices for Feeding Shrimp Fry
Now that you know when to start feeding brine shrimp nauplii, let’s cover some feeding best practices:
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Small amounts, 4-6 times per day – Feed fry frequently, but only provide enough food for them to consume within a few hours. Uneaten food deteriorates water quality.
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Varied microdiet – Rotate through microalgae, phytoplankton, zooplankton, and other microorganisms. Variety ensures balanced nutrition.
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Maintain water stability – Stable, pristine water is essential when raising baby shrimp. Do frequent small water changes and test water parameters daily.
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Enrich foods if needed – For added nutrition, enrichment products can be fed. Use sparingly and monitor water quality.
Following these tips will give your brine shrimp larvae the best chance at healthy growth. Next let’s go over food options specifically for breeding shrimp.
Best Foods for Baby Shrimp
When raising brine shrimp nauplii, home breeders have a few options to provide a nutritious microdiet. Here are the most common foods for baby shrimp:
Live Microorganisms
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Phytoplankton – Algae-filled water from established tanks makes an excellent food source. Dense green phytoplankton water nourishes fry.
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Infusoria – Water infused with organic matter grows a diversity of microorganisms. An infusoria culture offers a balanced diet.
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Rotifers – Live rotifers like Brachionus plicatilis provide essential protein. But they must be cultured in advance.
Commercial Fry Foods
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Liquid fry food – All-in-one blends provide microalgae, yeast, plankton, and vitamins for shrimp babies. Easy to use and effective.
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Microencapsulated diets – Tiny particles ensure proper nutrition and sustain release. But they can cloud the water.
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Shrimp powder mixes – Finely ground blends offer vitamins and protein for rapid growth. Some products are for color enhancement.
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Egg yolk – Fresh egg yolk contains fatty acids, protein, and other nutrients for young shrimp. But it fouls water quickly.
With live cultures, prepared foods, or a combination, you can ensure your baby brine shrimp get a balanced microdiet. Tailor feedings to your setup and brooding goals.
When to Switch to Bigger Foods
As shrimp larvae grow, their nutritional needs change. At a certain point, you’ll need to transition from a microdiet to larger foods. Here’s when to size up feedings:
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3 weeks – Shrimp are now juveniles and can eat finely crushed flake foods, pellet powder, etc.
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5 weeks – Juveniles can handle small shrimp pellets, mini wafers, and shreds of algae wafers.
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2 months – Subadults readily eat standard shrimp pellets and other foods you feed adults.
The timing will vary based on water parameters and genetics. Use your judgment based on shrimp size and development. A balanced diet at each stage is key for maturation.
Supplementing Fry Foods
As an extra nutritional boost, some supplements can be added to brine shrimp nauplii cultures:
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Spirulina – This blue-green algae provides protein, vitamins, and carotenoids for better color. Use sparingly to avoid fouling the water.
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Astaxanthin – Improves survival rates and enhances color. But overdosing this antioxidant can be toxic.
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Cholesterol – Important for growth and molting. Pure cholesterol powder or egg yolk provides a safe source.
Only supplement feeds if shrimp seem to need an extra nutritional push. And always watch water parameters closely when adding any products to a shrimp fry tank.
Common Feeding Mistakes
When raising baby brine shrimp, there are a few feeding mistakes to avoid:
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Offering foods too early or too late – Feed nauplii within 48 hours, not sooner or later.
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Overfeeding – Only feed enough for shrimp to consume within a few hours.
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Neglecting water changes – Fry are sensitive to water quality issues from uneaten foods.
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Missing key microorganisms – Vary feedings to include phytoplankton, zooplankton, etc.
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Switching foods too fast or slow – Transition to larger foods based on growth, not age alone.
With attention to timing, portions, and variety, you can avoid missteps. Test parameters frequently, and adjust feedings based on water quality.
Fry Feeding FAQs
Here are answers to some common questions about feeding baby brine shrimp:
How much should I feed shrimp fry?
Only feed enough for nauplii to consume within 2-4 hours. Remove any uneaten food to avoid fouling the water. Start with a small amount and increase slowly over time.
What do I feed shrimp babies if I don’t have live cultures?
Commercial fry foods are nutritionally complete for feeding brine shrimp nauplii. Liquid diets or powders offer key microorganisms without the need to culture live phytoplankton, rotifers, etc.
Is infusoria safe to feed my shrimp larvae?
Yes, an infusoria culture makes an excellent food source. The diversity of microorganisms offers a balanced diet. Just make sure to use pesticide-free organic materials like leaf litter to culture the infusoria.
Can I feed newly hatched brine shrimp baby fish food?
No, fish fry foods are too large for newly hatched brine shrimp nauplii. Wait until shrimp are at least 2-3 weeks old before introducing finely crushed flake foods designed for baby fish.
How often should I change the water when raising baby shrimp?
Test water parameters daily and do 10-20% water changes anytime ammonia, nitrites, or nitrates start to climb. More frequent small water changes are better than less often large ones when dealing with sensitive larvae.
The Key to Thriving Shrimp Fry
A proper diet sets the foundation for successfully rearing baby brine shrimp. Tailor feedings to each life stage, and focus on providing the right balance of microorganisms. Combine live cultures and commercial foods to cover all nutritional needs.
With a stable tank, pristine water, and proper nutrition, your shrimp larvae will thrive. Use these feeding tips to give your shrimp fry the best start on a lifetime of healthy growth.
