Brine Shrimp Eggs (Artemia Cysts)
Scientific name: Artemia salina
Brine shrimp eggs, also known as Artemia cysts, are dormant, encapsulated embryos of brine shrimp. These microscopic eggs are incredibly resilient, capable of surviving in dry, oxygen-free, or extreme temperature conditions for years.
Why use them?
When added to saltwater with proper aeration and temperature, the cysts hatch within 18–30 hours, releasing live nauplii (baby brine shrimp). These are a highly nutritious live food source for baby fish and invertebrates, triggering natural feeding responses due to their size and swimming motion.
- 💧 High hatch rate under ideal conditions
- 🐟 Perfect for fish fry, shrimp, and aquatic invertebrates
- ⏳ Long shelf life when stored dry and sealed
- 🌱 Great for aquarists and breeders
Biology:
The eggs (left image) are only 200 micrometres wide. Under optimal conditions, they hatch into larvae (right image) or remain dormant. Larvae molt around 15 times to reach 10 mm. Females can live up to 3 months and lay up to 300 eggs every 4 days.
They naturally occur in hypersaline lakes, where salinity exceeds 25% — helping reduce predators and boosting algae for food.
