Artemia are small, easy-to-keep crustaceans that are a nutritious food for tropical and marine fauna. Although there are many artificial foods, these small crustaceans provide valuable lipids, vitamins and amino acids needed by many fish. They are also fun creatures that children can raise. You can buy them at major pet stores, especially when they are in their adult stage, but it can be cheaper to breed them at home. The process may be simpler if you are experienced in managing a seawater aquarium system; however, this article details the essential steps of breeding, so that you can learn the correct techniques and learn how to maintain a healthy aquarium.
Steps
Part 1 of 5: Setting up an Aquarium for Artemie
Step 1. Go to a specialized shop
You can find all the accessories necessary for breeding at aquarium or pet shops; alternatively, you can shop online if you find it cheaper. You need many tools, including:
- A 40 liter aquarium;
- Sponge filter (equipped with a hose, a sponge and a connection for the air pump);
- Air pump;
- Aquarium heater and thermometer;
- A package of artemia cysts (eggs);
- Salt mixture for aquarium (to make a new aquarium you need about 6 kg of salt per 100 liters of water);
- 4 liter container with lid;
- 40 liters of reverse osmosis filtered water;
- Refractometer or hydrometer to measure salinity;
- Gravel vacuum cleaner;
- Electric torch.
Step 2. Find the best place to place the aquarium
Salt water ones should never be too close to windows, doors, heating vents, air conditioners or direct sunlight, otherwise the water temperature changes quickly. It should be placed near a power outlet so that you can connect the heater and the air pump.
- Leave some space between the aquarium and the wall so that the air pump can work properly.
- The support surface must be level.
Step 3. Rinse the aquarium to get rid of any dirt
Once clean, dry it on the outside and place it in your chosen spot in the house.
Step 4. Fill the tub with the salt water mixture
Make a mixture of aquarium salt and reverse osmosis filtered water. Fill the 40 liter aquarium with 36 liters of water, so that there is room for the salt, which must be added according to the manufacturer's instructions.
- Specific instructions should be given on the salt package to calculate the amount needed to put in the aquarium, based on its capacity.
- Don't worry if you add too much or too little; you can adjust the level before inserting the artemia cysts.
Step 5. Check the salinity of the water with the refractometer or hydrometer
To be correct, it should always be between 30 and 35 ppt (parts per thousand). Follow the instructions of the instrument (refractometer or hydrometer) to measure the salinity in the aquarium and add more salt or more filtered water, as needed.
- To measure the salinity, you have to put some water with a dropper or other tool inside the device.
- Continue testing the water until it reaches the appropriate salinity level.
- If you add the salt correctly according to the manufacturer's instructions, too many adjustments shouldn't be needed.
Step 6. Install the slow flow sponge filter
This is best for aquariums, because it provides aeration, filters the water, and doesn't suck in the tiny artemias. This filter includes a hose, a sponge and a connection for the air pump. If the hose for the pump is not included in the package, please buy it separately.
- The sponge filter should be installed on the bottom of the aquarium or on the edge of the container, depending on the model you have purchased.
- You can find many cheap filters on the market these days, but you don't have to skimp on the filter system.
- Defective filters can kill artemias.
Step 7. Connect the air pump to the filter
Take the hose and attach the end of the filter to the end of the pump. Insert the electrical plug into the socket and you will see that the filter will work. Make sure it is on a solid surface behind or under the aquarium.
Step 8. Install the heater
Place it according to the manufacturer's instructions. Once connected, you can start monitoring the water temperature.
Step 9. Assemble the thermometer, following the directions on the package
Place it on the opposite end from the heater, so that it is easily visible. Once both of these devices are installed, you can adjust the temperature, to allow the water to always be at the correct temperature: 20-25 ° C. Raise or lower it as needed.
Step 10. Maintain this temperature for 24 hours
When you keep it at the same level for a whole day, the water becomes stable enough to be able to insert the brine shrimp. Check the temperature at least twice a day - if for some reason the heater turns off or the water changes temperature dramatically, the brine shrimp can die.
Part 2 of 5: The Hatching of the Artemia
Step 1. Purchase brine shrimp eggs
You can find packages of dehydrated artemia cysts at aquarium or pet stores. You can even start with just one pack, as these small crustaceans multiply quickly.
Step 2. Place the eggs in the water and within 15-20 hours they will hatch
If the temperature and salinity inside the aquarium are correct, the cysts will hatch within a day. Twelve hours after hatching, you will see the young crustaceans swimming and moving in the water.
Step 3. Have fun watching them grow in number
These creatures multiply very quickly. They start with microscopic cysts and end up becoming small artemias. There is no need for your intervention during hatching or growth, as they develop naturally, as long as the aquarium meets the right requirements.
- If the crustaceans do not hatch or grow, check the salinity and temperature of the water, which may not be correct.
- It is quite normal, however, for some specimens to die.
Part 3 of 5: Maintaining Proper Habitat
Step 1. Prepare a supply of salt water
You have to keep some more salt water on hand for the times when you need to change the one in the aquarium. Always having 4 liters ready makes changing the water much easier.
- Fill a 4-liter container with reverse osmosis filtered water.
- Add salt according to the manufacturer's instructions.
- Close the container and store the salt water in a cool, dry place until you need it.
Step 2. Use the gravel vacuum to change the aquarium water regularly (about 20% per week, which is roughly 8 liters)
Turn off the ventilation system and circulation system before changing the water. Let it settle in the tub so there are no drafts. Turn on a bright light on the surface of the water to attract crustaceans.
- Eliminate the dirty water from the bottom of the aquarium with the gravel vacuum cleaner.
- Then replace the sucked water with the salty one you prepared earlier.
- Check the salinity and temperature to make sure the levels are correct.
Step 3. Rinse or replace the sponge filter every 1-4 weeks
It could be visibly dirty. To rinse or replace it, turn off the air pump, remove the sponge and rinse it. When it comes back clean, put it back and turn the air pump back on. Buy a new one about once a year.
- Use the flashlight to herd the brine shrimp away from the filter during this process.
- You will need someone's help to grab the filter or hold the flashlight.
Step 4. Make sure you regularly check the temperature, salinity and overall cleanliness of the water
These are all important factors that you need to monitor when you want to maintain a healthy and proper habitat for small crustaceans. Get in the habit of doing this general review every week.
Part 4 of 5: Feeding the Artemia
Step 1. Get enriched food
You can find many brands available in aquarium stores. Ask a clerk to help you if you're having trouble finding enriched foods, or search online for online stores that wholesaler this type of fish feed.
Step 2. Feed the brine shrimp with yeast, vegetable puree, powdered egg or milk powder
These crustaceans have no special needs and can eat the same food suitable for humans. Another food option is spirulina, a blue seaweed.
Step 3. Feed the brine shrimp only small amounts of food, but several times a day
You don't have to go overboard and supercharge them! If you see the water turning cloudy and starting to overfill with debris, clean the tank and give the brine shrimp smaller amounts of food.
Part 5 of 5: Capturing the Artemia
Step 1. Start collecting them after 8 days
Of course, if you are keeping them for fun, you don't have to catch them, but after 8 days the adult specimens are large enough to net and feed the other fish.
Step 2. Turn off the circulation system
After 10 minutes the empty shells of the cysts begin to float to the surface and the eggs that have not hatched move to the bottom of the tank. This allows you to catch live brine shrimp more easily.
Step 3. Turn on a flashlight when you want to gather them together
All artemias pile up in front of a light source, making it easier to catch them with a fishing net.
Step 4. Use a net to catch adult specimens
Smaller artemias pass through the net, but you will be able to catch the larger ones. Collect the amount of crustaceans needed to feed other aquatic creatures.
Step 5. Feed brine shrimp directly to other fish
Put them in the aquarium where the other specimens you want to feed are located; they will really appreciate this nutritious food!
Advice
- Try different methods of hatching and breeding brine shrimp and then use the one that works best.
- Artemia are attracted to light. Using a flashlight to herd them in an area of the aquarium can be a great way to catch them.
- You can purchase specific brine breeding kits if you want to get all the tools at once. You can find them for sale in aquarium stores.
- If you don't have or can't find a gravel vacuum, you can use a kitchen pipette.
