Brine Shrimp Gut Loading

[Snowboarda42]

So I got a breeder and eggs the other day and just fed my tank a TON of baby brine shrimp (28 hours old). My fish are going NUTS! Its been in there for about 7 minutes, and both my Anthias are pigging out. My yellow watchman is eating them too, as is my Starry Blenny. My Big Fat Mandarin (tank is pod supplimented) is even eating the ones that land on the sand. I can definately say that this is an awesome way to feed. I wish there were more live foods I could feed.

Now I know that the Baby Brine Shrimp (BBS for short) are not nutritious unless they still have their Yolks attached, which I would assume do for a few days after hatching.

What else, and how, can I gut load these little buggers? I have Spirulina Capsules, which I am going to break open and feed to the batch before I feed it to the tank. Probably a few hours prior.

Any Suggestions?

 

[leebca]

From what I remember (and others may correct me on this) baby brine don't eat anything at that stage until they've consumed their yoke sac. So, you can't have it both ways -- a baby brine shrimp gut loaded and with a yolk sac.

After the appropriate stage, the brine shrimp begins to 'eat.' They are opportunistic feeders, meaning they will eat almost anything that will go into their gut. They will eat fat, yeast, Spirulina, etc.

the downside to feeding newly hatched baby brine is to be careful not to get their egg shells mixed into the feedings. The shells are not digestible to the fishes.

You could go a bit more expensive and purchase brine shrimp eggs without the shells. No need to hatch them (they don't hatch anyway). Just feed them as is. I think your fish will find them about as 'exciting' as the live ones.

Good luck!

 

[Snowboarda42]

I've also seen people that decapsulate with bleach, rinse, and then do the same process used to hatch them. In which case they are live, without anysort of shells.

 

[leebca]

I was told that decapsulated brine shrimp eggs won't hatch. I may have been misinformed. :?:

 

[Elmo18]

I was told that decapsulated brine shrimp eggs won't hatch. I may have been misinformed. :?:

If they do not hatch, the person who decapsulated them did something wrong.

Decapsulated brine shrimp hatches, otherwise, we'd have more larvae dying from the outer shells.

Actually, brine shrimp hatches better when it is decapsulated since it does not have to go through such a thick membrane to hatch out.

Best,
Ilham

 

[leebca]

Thanks Ilham. That being the case, they'd be the best to hatch for small marine fishes.

 

[DonW]

I'm to lazy to decapsulate them so I just buy them already decapsulated. These combined with the hatching dish from Brine shrimp direct make it very easy to yourself entertained without the mess or hastle.

Don

 

[leebca]

I can now see where there is confusion on the issue of decapsulated BS eggs hatching or not.

When Snowboarda42 first posted, I sent an e-mail to BS Direct. I just received their response:

Dear Lee,

There are several approaches to decapsulation. The majority of decapsulated eggs sold on the market are decapsulated using an industrial process that renders the embryo non-viable. This process is usually utilized on eggs which are of poor hatch rate to begin with. A smaller, cottage industry approach, or DIY approach can, if done properly - most importantly using ice or a chiller to cool the oxidation reaction temperature - will result in a viable embryo and hence, a hatching decapsulated egg.

Hope this answers your question.

Kindest regards,

Tim
Brine Shrimp Direct

 

[Snowboarda42]

Thanks Lee!

I wonder if Using this method will still let them hatch or not. It looks like it does.

 

[DonW]

Thanks Lee!

I wonder if Using this method will still let them hatch or not. It looks like it does.

It just hurts the hatch rate alittle but not enough to be concerned about. This happens wether its diy or purchased already decapsulated.

Don