How to hatch and raise Fairy Shrimps
This guide provides only the basic information based on the fairy shrimps and clam shrimps species in Arizona desert. Some parts may vary by the species.
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| Preparation : |
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A clean jar or tank. Square container is good to take photo and video.
If the container was used before, clean up with bleach and dry completely.
Any material contains algae may reduce the hatching rate significantly. As low as 0%.
An aquarium air pump is required if you want to raise more than 20 fairy shrimps per gallon.
A pack of dry yeast.
Rinsed and dried compost or potting soil.
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| Hatching : |
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Put the eggs into the container and fill up.
- Use drinkable water for best result. Distilled water and reverse osmosis water is recommended.
- Do not use any kind of chemical conditioners and any water contains algae.
- Dry eggs float on the surface of water. Filling up in many steps will increase hatching rate.
Let the container receive enough light.
- Sunlight is the best option of higher hatching rate. Let the eggs receive sunlight as long as possible in the temperature range.
- Only 1 hour of sunlight improve hatching rate, and higher than 12 hours of lamp use.
- Use 100W brightness lamp if sunlight is not provided. Keep on the light all day time and closer to the container. First hatching appears later than sunlight option.
Keep the water temperature in range
- Most of Triops, fairy shrimp, clam shrimp, and daphnia hatch between 68°F and 84°F (20°C and 29°C)
- Winter fairy shrimps (cold water fairy shrimps) hatch between 50°F and 62°F (10°C and 17°C)
- The temperature ranges showing the good range, it's not the minimum and maximum.
Usually, first hatch appears in 8 hours under sunlight and most of them hatch out in 24 hours.
Winter fairy shrimps take longer and slower than other fairy shrimps.
Daphnia take 3 to 5 days to hatch.
They are around 0.2mm to 0.4mm when just hatched out.
Use flash light in dark to confirm the hatching, they will gather to the front of light.
Remember the most important conditions,
- Do not use any water contains algae.
- Dry eggs float on the surface of water. Fill up water in many steps.
- Let the eggs receive enough light. Sunlight is the best.
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| Maintanence : |
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Keep the water water temperature in the lower range after hatching.
Reduce light to prevent overheating and algae overgrowth.
Rinsed compost can be used as a good source of buffer and mineral.
- Much higher survival rate and healthier than bare water and sands.
- Reduce the risks come from overfeeding.
- Add 1 teaspoon of rinsed compost per gallon.
- Leaves are good too, but only after those are decompossed.
Feed shrimps with yeast daily. (Based on 20 fairy shrimps in 1 gallon jar)
- Mix well 1/32 teaspoon of yeast to 1 tablespoon of water and pour into the container. Once a day.
- Feed them twice a day when the fairy shrimps reached 7mm (1/4 inch).
- Do not feed again if the water is still hazy.
Changing water is not recommended because that breaks the balance in water. But if have to;
- Clean up the sides first and wait abour 5 mintues.
- Drain out only the upper side and do not touch the bottom. All new eggs sink to the bottom.
- Using a 1/2 inch rubber hose is recommended.
- Fill up with fresh water and do not feed until water become perfectly clear.
- After changing water, a very few of new food can cause horrible result.
- Feeding after 3 days from water change is recommended. Start with a small amount.
Clean up only the algae on the walls with tooth brush for better view.
Algae at the bottom provide food for the shrimps.
Hairy algae is harmful to the shrimps. Remove as much as possible.
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| Harvest : |
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All eggs are layed on the bottom of the container.
Move all of the live shrimps to another tank.
Drain out the water with a 1/2 rubber hose, as much as possible.
Pour all of the water and stuffs on the net or kitchen sieve and wash well. Those are debris.
Filter the water again with coffee filter or a piece of flat cloth, and wash well again.
Dry the eggs on the filter under sunlight. More dry, better hatching rate.
If the eggs are dry, then those are Ready-to-Hatch.
Keep the eggs in refrigerator or freezer for longer storage.
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| More information will be updated as ready. If you have questions please contact to info@arizonafairyshrimp.com. |
