1. Topic 2: Ecosystem Function
Brine Shrimp Ecology 1
BRINE SHRIMPS
The following slides are based on information taken
from “Brine Shrimp Ecology”
by Stephen Tomkins & Michael Dockery. First published
by the British Ecological Society 2000
6. Topic 2: Ecosystem Function
Brine Shrimp Ecology 1
• Young shrimp larvae are called nauplii
• They grow up in about two to four weeks.
• When nearly fully grown the sexes may be told apart
quite easily.
9. Topic 2: Ecosystem Function
Brine Shrimp Ecology 1
Setting up a Brine Shrimp colony in a plastic bottle
• Make up the desired volume of tap water and sea salt at a
concentration of 35 g salt per litre (3.5%).
• Set up the bottle container with 2-3 cm depth of washed
sand and oyster shell or crushed limestone (3 part sand to
1 part shell). This will be the home for the ecosystem
decomposers.
• Test the pH to make sure it is alkaline. Sodium carbonate
may need to be added to get the pH to the optimum of 8.5.
10. Topic 2: Ecosystem Function
Brine Shrimp Ecology 1
Setting up a Brine Shrimp colony in a plastic bottle
• Add one drop only of liquid fertiliser (e.g. Baby Bio) per
litre. Keep the culture well lit and warm, preferably up to
about 25° C, for a week.
• After one week, there should be signs of green algal
growth. Now add a pinch of brine shrimp egg cysts. These
keep indefinitely in a cool, dry environment and will hatch
quickly in warm, salty water.
• After 48 hours there will be many small shrimp larvae.
11. Topic 2: Ecosystem Function
Brine Shrimp Ecology 1
Setting up a Brine Shrimp colony in a plastic bottle
• Initially add one drop of fertiliser per litre per week.
Fertiliser is used directly by the algae as a nutrient. The
algae are eaten by the shrimps.
• The ecosystem should eventually support 12 adult shrimps
to the litre.
• Once the full population has developed the addition of
fertiliser should be reduced.
• Over-dosing with fertiliser will kill the algae. Try not to have
too much algal growth visible.