Culturing fairy shrimp can be challenging, but with the right setup, success is achievable. To fully grasp the key to success, start by understanding the habitats of fairy shrimp.
Fairy shrimps inhabit ephemeral bodies of water, such as vernal pools or dry lake playas. Each body of water has its unique geochemical composition, water chemistry, and longevity, influencing which species can prevail.
Filled by seasonal rains or snowmelt, these ephemeral bodies of water, under optimal temperatures, initiate the hatching of fairy shrimp eggs, kickstarting their life cycle.
Understanding that these habitats possess a specific soil composition containing essential elements like bacteria, algae, micro-metazoans, salts, and carbonates is key. These components are pivotal for sustaining the growth of fairy shrimp.
As these habitats fill with water, the flourishing of microorganisms initiates, commencing the cycling of nutrients into the environment.
The image above illustrates a habitat typical for Eubranchipus species, commonly found in cold temperate pools. This habitat is characterized typically by low dissolved solids, low alkalinity, and low pH. Despite these conditions, it boasts a plethora of algae, fungi, and metazoans that aid in breaking down organic material. These microbes and detritus offer an abundance of food and nutrients, facilitating the feeding and growth of fairy shrimp.
Creating a new tank in captivity lacks these essential factors, but it’s possible to recreate specific habitats for each species. The method below is based on my experience.
Start with a glass tank capable of holding at least 1 to 3 gallons of water. Larger fairy shrimp species or a higher quantity may require more space so choose up to 3 gallons.
Clean the glass container with bleach, avoiding the use of soaps or detergents, as their residue can be harmful to fairy shrimp.
Choose a well-lit location, like a sunny window, or utilize artificial lighting such as LED lights. Provide light for 8 hours a day to mimic natural day cycles, enhancing algae growth and facilitating hatching.
Substrate is a critical component for success as it directly influences water chemistry. The soils in fairy shrimp habitats typically consist of clays, silts, and sands, with many habitats favoring loamy soils, though not exclusively. These soils may contain various minerals, and some habitats are characterized by a dominant salt cation, including Na, Ca, K, Mg, among others. Other factors include the presence or absence of calcium carbonate or calcium sulfate. Such elements can affect the buffering capacity, making the water more alkaline with a higher pH or more acidic. Additionally, the concentration of salt ions affects the habitat's salinity. Some fairy shrimp species are osmoregulatory, either expelling or retaining salts within their bodies, while others are osmoconformers, adapting to the salinity levels of their environment. If the water is beyond a certain purity or salinity threshold, the fairy shrimp may perish due to their inability to regulate these salts.
For substrate and water parameters, please refer to "Anostracan (Crustacea: Branchiopoda) zoogeography II. Relating distribution to geochemical substrate properties in the USA" for best guidance.
For the water, the easiest option is spring water, as it contains minerals and is slightly alkaline, closely resembling most fairy shrimp habitats.
Distilled water, which simulates natural rain due to its low osmotic pressure, can be used for hatching. However, since it is devoid of minerals, it is recommended to add carbonates and salts to bare tanks.
After setting up the tank with water and substrate, there might still be insufficient microbes to feed young fairy shrimp. It’s advisable not to add the eggs just yet.
Adding a small amount of compost can enhance microbial activity.
While not essential, incorporating an air pump for aeration is greatly beneficial. It encourages algae growth, facilitates hatching, and sustains a higher population of fairy shrimp. Keep the airflow gentle, as fairy shrimp are delicate swimmers and can be harmed easily.
Allowing the tank to rest for one to two days lets bacteria and microorganisms establish themselves, providing vital nourishment for the hatchling fairy shrimp and ideally starting the nutrient and nitrogen cycles.
In the absence of compost or leaf litter, leaving the tank undisturbed for a longer period, like a week, helps in cultivating more microbes. During this time, make sure the tank is well illuminated to promote the growth of algae.
Following this interval, proceed to introduce the eggs. It is recommended to begin with half of the egg packet, in case the initial attempt is unsuccessful.
At the optimal temperature, within 24 to 72 hours, the fairy shrimp should hatch. Darken the room and shine a flashlight on the side of the tank. Although barely visible, the baby fairy shrimp are phototropic, meaning they are attracted to light. They will propel themselves with their two little limbs towards the light.
At this stage, you can provide a pinch of fish food or spirulina as food for the fairy shrimp and microbes. However, there are plenty of microbes for the fairy shrimp to feed on. Fairy shrimp feed within the water column as filter feeders, each with unique feeding strategies. Feed every few days; if the water becomes cloudy, it indicates a bacterial bloom, and you should halt feeding until the water clears.
Be mindful, as excessive feeding can be detrimental, leading to ammonia spikes. Establishing a feeding regimen requires practice and a close eye on the tank conditions.
If the container water evaporates, refill using spring water to the previous water line. Add small amounts of water at a time. Avoid water changes for fairy shrimps, as disturbing the water balance can be fatal for them.
As the tank ages, string algae can pose a risk to certain species by entrapping the fairy shrimp. If necessary, remove excess string algae to ensure the well-being of the fairy shrimp.
Fairy shrimps typically live for 6 to 8 weeks, though some species may have a longer lifespan. They do not live very long and will perish from old age. If successful in raising them, they will likely reach their reproductive stage, and the habitat floor will be littered with eggs. Allow the water to evaporate, collect and dry the substrate, and repeat the process. Store these eggs in a cool, dry place for optimal longevity.
By following these steps, you should find success in raising your fairy shrimps. Enjoy the rewarding experience of successfully raising these fascinating creatures!
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