March Creature Feature

Feature Creature

Brine Shrimp

Description: The scientific name for brine shrimp is Artemia. Brine shrimp are a type of plankton. Plankton means drifter. So, like all plankton, they cannot swim against the current. Brine shrimp can grow to be about 1 centimeter long and can live for up to 1 year. Brine shrimp are fed to the invertebrates in the aquarium as they are high in fat!

Defense: Brine shrimp eggs can remain dormant for up to 2 years in dry, oxygen free environments. Once they are placed in salt water, the eggs can hatch within hours.

Feed on: Brine shrimp feed on phyto plankton. These are tiny plantlike algae that live in the ocean. Phytoplankton produce up to 80% of the oxygen on planet earth.

WOW! Brine shrimp are also known as sea monkeys.