Artemia (brine shrimp)
Small saltwater crustaceans used as live food. Newly hatched nauplii are ideal food for fry and small fish.
Detailed explanation
Artemia salina is a small crustacean whose cysts can resist drying for years and hatch in 24-48 hours in salt water.
Newly hatched nauplii (0.4-0.5 mm) are the most used live food for fry. Their movement stimulates the predatory instinct.
Hatching is done in salt water (25-35 ppt), with vigorous aeration, continuous light and temperature 26-28 degrees.
The enrichment of nauplii with fatty acids makes them even more nutritious. Frozen Artemia in blisters is an excellent food for marine and freshwater fish.
Quality cysts have a hatch rate of 80-90%. Top brands: Ocean Nutrition, INVE, Sanders.