Where to Buy Live Brine Shrimp: The Complete Guide

Live brine shrimp are a popular live food source for aquarium fish and invertebrates. But where can you buy good quality healthy brine shrimp? In this complete guide I’ll cover everything you need to know about buying live brine shrimp.

What are Brine Shrimp?

Brine shrimp, also known as sea monkeys or artemia, are small crustaceans that live in salty bodies of water like lakes and coastal habitats. They are a nutritious live food containing protein, lipids, vitamins, and carotenoids. When still in their larval nauplii stage, brine shrimp are an ideal size for feeding small, juvenile fish and invertebrates.

Brine shrimp are commonly used as a starter food for fish like clownfish seahorses, discus fish angelfish, bettas, and many more. They are also fed to corals and filter feeding invertebrates like clams and feather dusters.

Where to Buy Brine Shrimp

There are a few options for purchasing live brine shrimp:

Local Fish Stores

Your local fish store may carry live brine shrimp periodically. However, supply can be inconsistent. Local stores are also limited in the quantities they can stock. Prices are usually higher than online sources.

Online Retailers & Direct from Hatcheries

Purchasing brine shrimp online opens up more choices and buying in bulk for savings. Two good options are:

• Online retailers like Amazon – A search for “live brine shrimp” on Amazon shows several products shipped direct to your door. Watch for quality though, as some may have poor hatch rates.

• Direct from hatcheries like Brine Shrimp Direct – Buying direct from a dedicated shrimp hatchery, like Brine Shrimp Direct, ensures the highest quality eggs and nauplii. Their products are used by universities, zoos and aquaculture facilities.

When buying online, look for sellers that use fast, insulated shipping and gel packs to keep brine shrimp healthy.

Hatch Your Own

A third option is DIY – hatching your own brine shrimp at home using a hatchery kit. Hatching yourself gives a consistent, fresh supply. Look for high hatch-rate eggs from a reputable source. Make sure to follow proper hatching and harvesting techniques for best results.

Buying Considerations

When choosing where to buy brine shrimp, keep these tips in mind:

• Quality – The highest hatch-rate eggs (80%+) ensure a good yield. Lower quality eggs can have dismally low yields.

• Freshness – Newly hatched nauplii have higher nutritional value than older shrimp. Try to find brine shrimp no more than 24 hours old.

• Quantity – Buy enough to conveniently feed your tank but not too much to avoid waste. Brine shrimp have a short shelf life.

• Price – Balance price against factors like quality, shipping cost and convenience. Buying in bulk can offer big savings.

• Shipping method – Live brine shrimp must be packaged well and shipped fast. Make sure the seller uses insulation, gel packs and overnight delivery.

Live Brine Shrimp on Amazon

One of the most convenient places to buy live brine shrimp is on Amazon. Let’s take a look at some top products and key things to evaluate:

• Demeter Bio Live Brine Shrimp – Ships brine shrimp in 32oz of liquid. Reviews mention good quantities of healthy, active shrimp. Provides a hatch-out guarantee.

• Brine Shrimp Direct – A top brine shrimp hatchery selling live adult brine shrimp on Amazon. Known for exceptional quality and service.

• San Francisco Bay Brand – A major brand, but product reviews are mixed on the hatch rate, size and quality of these brine shrimp eggs.

• Brine Shrimp Hatchery Kits – These allow DIY hatching at home for a constant supply of live brine shrimp. High 80%+ hatch rate eggs recommended.

Things to look for when buying live brine shrimp on Amazon:

• Hatch rate guarantee of 80% or higher
• Number of shrimp per ounce/container
• Delivery method – insulated and gel packs
• Activity level and quality described in reviews
• Customer service and live delivery guarantee

Buying Direct from Hatcheries

For top quality brine shrimp, purchasing direct from a dedicated hatchery is a great option. Here are some of the best brine shrimp specialty hatcheries online:

Brine Shrimp Direct

• One of the leading suppliers to aquarists, researchers and aquaculture facilities
• Wide selection of brine shrimp eggs, nauplii and supplies
• High hatch rates of 80%+ guaranteed
• Overnight shipping available

Brine Shrimp Aquafarms

• Specialize in live brine shrimp and supplies
• Offer live adult, eggs and decapsulated eggs
• Same day shipping when ordered by 10am PST

Brine Shrimp Depot

• Sell a variety of brine shrimp eggs and nauplii
• Also offer hatching kits and tanks
• Competitive pricing on bulk orders

Buying direct gives you access to the best quality shrimp and expertise. Hatcheries stand behind their products and ship them quickly to maximize survival.

DIY Option: Hatching Your Own Brine Shrimp

Hatching your own brine shrimp at home gives you a constant supply of freshly hatched nauplii. It requires some equipment and effort but gives you control over the process.

Here’s a quick guide to hatching brine shrimp yourself:

Step 1: Get a brine shrimp hatchery kit – This provides the essentials like hatching container, air pump and tubing.

Step 2: Purchase high quality brine shrimp eggs – Look for eggs rated 80% hatch rate or higher from a reputable source.

Step 3: Hatch the eggs as per instructions – Usually takes 24-36 hours. Temperature, salinity, aeration all affect results.

Step 4: Harvest the newly hatched nauplii – Use a light or pipette to concentrate live brine shrimp for feeding.

Step 5: Rinse and clean – Change water and thoroughly rinse hatchery to prevent bacteria buildup.

Follow best practices for hygiene, monitoring and maintenance to get great results hatching brine shrimp yourself.

Key Points for Buying Live Brine Shrimp

To sum up, here are the key things I recommend when buying live brine shrimp:

• Source from high quality producers like specialty hatcheries

• Look for brine shrimp eggs rated 80%+ hatch rate

• Check shipping method – overnight delivery with insulation/gel packs

• Buy freshly hatched nauplii, ideally less than 24 hours old

• DIY hatching allows a constant supply and control over quality

• Compare quantity, quality, price and convenience when choosing where to purchase