Live food culturing

How to culture Brine Shrimp (Artemia)

Supplies needed

Brine shrimp eggs (cysts)
Hatchery jar (Hobby Brine Shrimp Hatchery or DIY 2-liter bottle)
Air pump + airstone
Aquarium salt or non-iodized salt
Heater (78-80°F)
Light source
Brine shrimp net
Decapsulated cysts (optional - higher hatch rate)

Step-by-step

Step 1: Set up hatchery jarUse a hatchery cone or DIY 2-liter bottle (cap drilled with airline). Fill with saltwater (1 tbsp salt per liter) at 78-80°F. Aerate vigorously.

Step 2: Add eggs1/4-1/2 teaspoon brine shrimp eggs per liter of water. Eggs float at first; aeration keeps them suspended.

Step 3: Light + heat 24 hoursContinuous light (small LED). Maintain 78-80°F. Eggs hatch in 18-36 hours.

Step 4: Identify harvest timeAfter 24-36 hours, hatched larvae sink to the bottom and aggregate near the light. Empty shells float at the surface.

Step 5: Stop aeration + harvestTurn off airstone. Wait 5 minutes for separation. Siphon larvae from the bottom (avoiding shells at top). Strain through brine net.

Step 6: Rinse + feedRinse with clean tank water (removes salt residue). Feed immediately to fish or coral. Refrigerate excess up to 24 hours.

Step 7: Grow to adults (optional)For larger brine shrimp: transfer larvae to a 5-gallon grow-out tank with aged saltwater. Feed yeast or spirulina. Harvest at 14-21 days for 1-inch adults.

FAQ

How long do brine shrimp live?

Newly hatched (nauplii) live 24-48 hours unless fed. Adult brine shrimp live 3-6 months in a properly maintained culture.

What temperature for hatching brine shrimp?

78-80°F is optimal. Below 75°F slows hatching to 48+ hours; above 82°F can stress eggs.

Are brine shrimp nutritious?

Newly hatched: yes - high protein + lipid. Adult brine shrimp: less nutritious, but enrich with Selcon or microalgae for max nutrition.

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Aquarium-keeping fundamentals

Whatever specific topic brought you here, four fundamentals govern long-term aquarium success: water quality, parameter stability, biological filtration, and species-appropriate husbandry. Skip any one and the others struggle to compensate.

Water quality: ammonia + nitrite at zero, nitrate under 30 ppm freshwater + 10 ppm reef. Test weekly with API or Salifert kits. Use our water parameter checker to score your readings against your tank type.

Parameter stability: stable wrong parameters beat fluctuating ideal parameters. Most fish tolerate a wide pH range if it's stable. Sudden swings of 0.4+ pH or 5+°F kill fish faster than chronic suboptimal values. Use temperature controllers (Inkbird) + automated dosing for consistency.

Biological filtration: the bacterial colony on your filter media + rock + substrate is the engine. Never replace all media at once. Use our filter turnover calculator to size correctly.

Species-appropriate husbandry: research adult size, territoriality, diet, and tankmate compatibility before purchase. Use our tank stocking calculator + compatibility guides.

Frequently asked questions

How long does an aquarium take to set up? 4-6 weeks for full cycling + first stocking. Use our cycle ETA calculator + how long does cycling take.

What's the best aquarium for beginners? 20-gallon long. Big enough for parameter stability, small enough for budget + space. See beginner picks.

How often should I do water changes? 25-30% weekly. See water change frequency Q&A + water change calculator.

Why does my fish keep dying? 5 leading causes: uncycled tank, wrong species pairings, no quarantine, undersized tank, neglected water-change schedule. See full diagnosis.