How to Raise Brine Shrimps

For people who live in the middle of the country, fresh seafood can be expensive and hard to find. Many seafood lovers choose to raise their own brine shrimp as a business or for a consistent supply of shrimp for the BBQ. Raising brine shrimp at home can be surprisingly simple.

Things You'll Need

  • Fish tank
  • Pump and filter
  • Light
  • Light bulb (60 or 100 watts)
  • Heater
  • Rocks
  • Substrate
  • Plants
  • Thermometer
  • Dehydrated brine shrimp cysts
  • Fish or shrimp food
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Instructions

    • 1

      Put together your shrimp farm before you buy any shrimp. Shrimp are territorial and need plenty of space, so plan to put 10 shrimp in a 20-gallon tank. Equip the tank with a pump and filter, and fill it with substrate for digging and rocks and plants for hiding. Spread the rocks and plants around the entire tank so that each shrimp can claim a spot. Put a heater and thermometer in the tank, and fill it with saltwater. Saltwater is available for purchase at most aquarium shops.

    • 2

      Obtain dehydrated brine shrimp cysts from a pet store or specialty online retailer. Purchase only as many shrimp as you have room for in your tanks. The dehydrated cysts are embryos, which will hatch once they've been put in water.

    • 3

      Put the shrimp into their tanks, and set the heater to maintain a temperature of 70 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Allow several days for the embryos to hatch. Put the shrimp under a 60- to 110-watt bulb.

    • 4

      Feed your shrimp fish or shrimp food once a day by sprinkling food across the surface of the water. The food will sink so that the shrimp can gather it. Maintain the clarity of the water, and make sure that the temperature stays regular. Shrimp will die if you allow the temperature to slip below 68 degrees Fahrenheit or above 97 degrees Fahrenheit.

    • 5

      Harvest shrimp after three to four months, when they are relatively large and will provide a fair amount of meat.