Pre-decapsulated brine shrimp eggs

[Synirr]

My BBS hatcheries weren't doing so well today (I think I accidentally dropped too much baking soda in when preparing the water last time,) and I was a little afraid that my fry might have to deal with only two feedings today instead of their typical three or four, but then I remembered -- when I ordered my bottle of brine shrimp eggs, the seller gave me a bottle of decapsulated eggs for free. These aren't meant for hatching, and you're just supposed to feed them to the fry straight out of the bottle. I tried them when the fry were two weeks old but they wouldn't touch them, so I just put them on the shelf and figured they'd never be used again.

Maybe the fry didn't like them at two weeks, but man, they were a huge hit today!! I guess the fry are finally old enough (going on 6 weeks) to eat things that aren't wiggling. Some of them up so many that I was afraid they'd explode! I don't think I've ever seen their tummies so big!!
The decapsulated eggs are supposed to be more nutritious than BBS too, since none of the egg has been used by the developing shrimp. I definitely recommend these for anyone with older spawns. They're easier than BBS, and my fry absolutely love them. I'll still be hatching live shrimp just because I'm not sure how safe it would be to rely on the decapsulted eggs alone, but I'm going to be feeding the decapsulted eggs now as well

 

[JoLtNbolt]

Do you have one of those commercial shrimp hatchery products or do you have a DIY method?

 

[Synirr]

Do you have one of those commercial shrimp hatchery products or do you have a DIY method?

DIY. Normally they work great, but you can't prevent human error

 

[wuvmybetta]

Hatching brine, such fun Have you ever tried to hatch the pre decapsulated eggs, Synirr? I've never tried them, I always just decapsulate them myself but sometimes that's a huge chore I could do without. And straight eggs sounds like a quick meal, I might have to try this.

but you can't prevent human error

No kidding. Sometimes I get my water so perfect and have a huge hatch rate for a few batches, until I have to make new water and I don't get it quite the same. I'm doing some spawns this week and I'm going to try pre-made marine salt water for the first time. I'll let ya know how it goes.

 

[clover]

ive hatched them i didnt even know u wasnt ment to and just give them to the fry ow well they work just fine lol mine always hatch in 24hours but only live one day dunno why tho maybe i add to many eggs

 

[OohFeeshy]

aren't meant for hatching

You can hatch them, they're mainly decapsulated so its easier to advoid feeding the egg shells instead. But its easier to just feed the eggs without hatching.

 

[Synirr]

I wasn't sure if you could hatch them or not, and I never thought to try it. I guess I just figured that being decapsulated for so long would prevent them from hatching or something. The fry eat them unhatched though, so it's all good
I put the three largest fry in their own container today and am going to do a little "experiment" (though not a very scientific one, I admit.) I'm not going to give them any more live brine, just the decapsulated eggs, and see what the effects are, if any.