Decapsulated Brine Shrimp Eggs

Decapsulated Brine Shrimp Eggs: Ready-to-Feed Artemia from Reefphyto

You have young fish to feed, the hatching cone has let you down, and the next batch is a day away.

Growing fish do not pause for a 24-hour hatch. Fry and juveniles still need feeding, and gaps in the routine soon show.

Reefphyto Decapsulated Brine Shrimp Eggs are Artemia cysts with the outer shell removed, so there is nothing to hatch. They contain at least 56.8% protein and 14.9% fat. Soak them in freshwater for 2 to 5 minutes for fry, or feed adults directly.

Open the pouch and you have food ready in minutes, for any fish that takes small, non-moving particles.

We have supplied brine shrimp products from Wales since 2008, backed by 18+ years in marine aquaculture. Darren responds personally to every enquiry.

All the nutrition. None of the waiting.

Decapsulated Eggs or Hatched Nauplii?

They look like two versions of the same thing, but they do different jobs.

Our Brine Shrimp Eggs 90% Hatch Rate are for hatching. You get live, moving nauplii after 18 to 24 hours in a hatching cone or similar vessel. Choose those when your fish need movement before they will feed, or when you want to enrich the nauplii before they go in.

These eggs are not for hatching. The hard outer shell, called the chorion, has been chemically removed, so the egg can never produce a nauplius. What you get is a dry food, ready when you are. Choose these when you want a quick feed with no cone, no harvesting and no shells to separate.

Many breeders use both: live nauplii where movement matters, and decapsulated eggs to add variety and keep feeds going between hatches.

Why Decapsulated Brine Shrimp Eggs Are So Nutritious

When a brine shrimp egg hatches, the nauplius uses up some of its yolk reserves to get out. A decapsulated egg never goes through that, so the yolk stays in the egg until a fish eats it.

The numbers are simple. Protein is at least 56.8%, fat at least 14.9%, ash no more than 5%, and energy is 541.7 calories per 100g. That is a concentrated food, so a small amount goes a long way.

How to Feed Decapsulated Eggs

For fry, put a small quantity in freshwater for 2 to 5 minutes. This softens the egg and makes it easier for small mouths to manage. Then add it to the rearing tank.

For adult fish, feed directly or give the eggs the same quick soak first. Not every fish will recognise them straight away, so start small and watch what happens.

Feed sparingly. Offer what your fish can clear in 15 to 30 minutes, and remove anything left over. Uneaten eggs break down and foul the water quickly, especially in a small rearing tank.

Using Decapsulated Eggs in a Breeding Programme

Marine larvae need the right food at the right size. Live rotifers are the first feed for most marine larvae, including clownfish, dottybacks and gobies, because decapsulated eggs are generally too large for them in the first week.

As the larvae grow, typically from week two onwards, soaked eggs can go in as a supplement alongside live nauplii. From two to three weeks they make an easy extra feed for juveniles, without having to plan around a hatching cycle.

Freshwater breeders get on well with them too. Keepers of livebearers, cichlids and killifish often like them because they are quick to prepare and fit around the day.

Storing Your Eggs

Keep the pouch sealed, cool and dry, and out of direct sunlight. These are a dry food, so they do not need to go in the fridge.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can decapsulated brine shrimp eggs be hatched?

No. Removing the shell means they cannot produce nauplii. If you want live nauplii, choose our Brine Shrimp Eggs 90% Hatch Rate.

Can I use these for marine fish larvae from day one?

No. Use live rotifers for the first feeds, then bring these in as the larvae grow, typically from week two onwards.

Will my fish eat them?

Fish that accept small, non-moving food usually will. Fish that only respond to movement are better off with live nauplii.

How much should I feed at once?

Start with less than you think you need. If it is gone within 15 to 30 minutes, you can increase slowly from there.

Do they need refrigerating?

No. Keep them sealed, cool, dry and out of direct sunlight.

What sizes are available?

20g, 40g, 60g and 100g.

Brine Shrimp Nutrition from Wales Since 2008

Reefphyto has been helping reef keepers and fish breeders across the UK since 2008. If you want help building a feeding plan around decapsulated eggs, live nauplii and enrichment, just ask. Darren responds personally to every enquiry.