How to Use Mysis Shrimp

Mysis shrimp, Mysis relicta, are a small, freshwater shrimp species found in the Great Lakes region of the northern United States and Canada. These shrimp are an important part of the food chain in their natural habitat, where they feed on plankton and are consumed by fish. Because mysis shrimp are consumed by many game fish, they are used as lure models for fly fishing. They are also commercially raised and harvested as a food source for aquarium fish, due to their high protein and nutritional fatty acid content.

Things You'll Need

  • Aquarium
  • Freshwater fish
  • Saltwater fish
  • Live mysis shrimp
  • Frozen mysis shrimp
  • Mysis fly-fishing lures
  • Rabbit dubbing
  • White ostrich feathers
  • Epoxy
  • Flashabau
  • Monofilament
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Instructions

  1. Mysis Shrimp as Food for Aquarium Fish

    • 1
      Mysids are food for freshwater and saltwater fish.

      Set up an aquarium with fish that eat mysis shrimp. Many otherwise finicky fish eat mysids, so fill your freshwater aquarium with discus, blennies or cichlids, as mysids are a favorite of these species. Freshwater mysids evolved from saltwater shrimp, and most saltwater fish eat them frozen. In fact, they are one of the only foods appropriate for seahorses.

    • 2

      Purchase live mysis shrimp at your local pet store. Add the live shrimp to the aquarium sparingly, as fish will often feed more vigorously on live food than thawed choices. Avoid overfeeding, as the high nutritional value of mysids may cause substantial weight gain or cloud aquarium water. Feed only as much food as is quickly consumed.

    • 3

      Take out a small handful of the frozen shrimp and thaw it. Rinse the shrimp thoroughly in freshwater to get rid of excess inorganic ions such as phophates and nitrates. Add the shrimp to your aquarium.

    Mysis Shrimp Lures

    • 4
      Mysis shrimp lures are ideal for tailwater fishing.

      Buy fly-fishing lures modeled after mysis shrimp. Find these lures at your local sporting goods store, or online. Mysis shrimp are consumed by game fish in the tailwaters of freshwater reservoirs, and are ideal for trout and salmon fishing.

    • 5
      Flies are relatively inexpensive to buy, but you can also make them at home.

      Tie your own lures to look like mysis shrimp. Make flies out of epoxy or flashabau, and white fur, such as rabbit dubbing or white ostrich feathers. Purchase these materials at your local sporting goods store.

    • 6
      Many fisherman enjoy tying their own flies.

      Assemble the fly. Mysis shrimp flies are tied on backwards, so the tail is next to the eye of the hook. Use monofilament tied perpendicular to the hook shank, and melt both ends using a lighter. These will be the eyes. In some rivers, mysis have red eyes, while in others they are black. This is a helpful distinction when determining which fish you'd like to catch, and at which rivers.