Guide
Prehistoric Shrimp
Artemia are fascinating survivors and among the oldest living creatures on Earth.
Tracing Clues in Germany
Did you know that there is a special population of Artemia franciscana near Bleicherode in Germany? There, seepage water from salt mining waste accumulates in several lakes.
How did they get there? They were probably introduced by migratory birds, but that has not been fully clarified yet. Today, they are professionally bred there as fish food. In addition to introduced species, you can also find wild freshwater fairy shrimp in Germany (e.g. Eubranchipus) in floodplain forest pools or river meadows.
The Swimming Artists
Artemia have a fascinating way of moving: they swim on their backs! Many photos on the internet show the animals upside down. Their upward-pointing pairs of legs beat in wave-like motions, transporting food particles directly into the food groove above them.
- Filter algae & plankton
- Dark digestive tract visible
- Males with claspers
- Females with egg sacs
Your Own Artemia Culture
Required Materials
Culture Calculator
Calculate the mixture for your amount of water
Preparation
Use tap water or still mineral water. Mix in the salt and baking soda (pH 7.5–8.0). The container should be kept in a bright place at room temperature, but without direct sunlight.
Care & Feeding
The nauplii hatch after 24–48 hours. Feed only very sparingly after 2 days. Refill evaporated water with distilled water to keep the salt concentration stable.
Microscopic Analysis
For observation, place a few animals into a Petri dish using a pipette. Under a reflected-light microscope, details such as the males’ claspers or the females’ egg sacs become visible.
