hatching baby brine shrimp

wjrg · 07-29-2008, 07:57 PM

I'm ready to start hatching brine shrimp, but I will like to know how long I have to wait after they hatch to feed my tank?, How do I know They are ready?

ssgheislerswife · 07-29-2008, 08:57 PM

Do you have a hatchery? This is one thing I know well...we have a hatchery to feed the tiger barbs and the rainbow shark in the freshwater tank. I have the one that you turn a cup upside down in the black hatchery.

When I see all of them swimming around in the cup, I dump the cup in the tank with my fish. You can see the swimming babies running from the fish, but the fish always win!!!

wjrg · 07-29-2008, 09:07 PM

I have 2, one is hatch and feed, inside the sump and a soda bottle ready to use. Is my first time and I dont know wich one to use, please let me know wich one I should use or if you have a better idea

ssgheislerswife · 07-29-2008, 09:14 PM

I want a hatch and feed for the rainbow shark. If I don't feed him 3 times a day he starts nipping at his tankmates. They don't take long to hatch once you add them to the water.

wjrg · 07-29-2008, 09:17 PM

You mean the beter option is hatch and feed.

ssgheislerswife · 07-29-2008, 09:18 PM

I don't think with brine shrimp that there is a right or wrong way. They'll hatch in the toilet if you dumped the stuff in there and let them sit for 2 hours.

wjrg · 07-29-2008, 09:23 PM

Thanks, I get the message. I will start tomorow and I let you know.

jptrson · 07-29-2008, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ssgheislerswife

I don't think with brine shrimp that there is a right or wrong way. They'll hatch in the toilet if you dumped the stuff in there and let them sit for 2 hours.

Hmmm, Sea monkeys and turtle heads.

ssgheislerswife · 07-29-2008, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jptrson

Hmmm, Sea monkeys and turtle heads.

I know this because my adventurous 4 year old dumped some in the toilet and blockaded the bathroom door so he'd have something to feed his new clown...it's been a long day!

rayjay · 07-30-2008, 12:31 PM

I've been raising brine shrimp for many years and never had any cysts, normal or decapped, that hatch out in a couple of hours. (I have eight 26g garbage pails of brine shrimp under cultivation from newborn nauplii to adults)
Normal range would be about 12 hours for the first few up to 24 hours for all that are going to hatch. Hatch rate depends on cyst quality and how they have been stored. (should be stored in a refrigerator, not on a store shelf or peg)
Ideal time to harvest is as soon as they hatch out so that the egg sack is still intact. Newborn have no anus or mouth and can't feed on anything until they progress to the second instar stage, about 24 hours after hatch out.
If not used soon after hatch out, they should be kept for at least 24 hrs and then gut loaded with a quality food to be able to give maximum benefit to the intended eaters.
As the cysts can harbour nasty bacteria sometimes, it's best to rinse in fresh water before feeding the brine to the tank. Also, try not to get any of the empty or unhatched cysts into the tank as they can lodge in the digestive track of some fish.
As for hatch out, that basically becomes a personal choice as they all work but one is just cheaper than the other.
I use inverted pop bottles, caps on, with rigid air line tubing inserted in the top of the inverted bottle. (originally the bottom)
Use just enough air to keep everything in suspension. Too much air and too many cysts rise above the water line on the container wall. No airstones as small bubbles kill them.
Lastly, you may find that a lot of fish can't be bothered eating them as newborns because they are so small.