How to Feed Brine Shrimp Yeast: A Complete Guide

As an aquarist who raises brine shrimp, I often use yeast to provide a nutritious food source for these small crustaceans. Yeast contains proteins, vitamins, and minerals that promote brine shrimp growth and survival.

In this comprehensive guide, I’ll cover everything you need to know about feeding brine shrimp yeast safely and effectively, including

The benefits of yeast for brine shrimp
How to prepare homemade yeast solutions
How much and how often to feed
Potential risks and how to avoid them
Additional diet tips for optimal brine shrimp health

Whether you’re raising brine shrimp as live food for fish or for their nutritional benefits, yeast can be an excellent addition to their diet Let’s get started!

Why Feed Brine Shrimp Yeast?

Yeast provides many key nutrients that brine shrimp need:

Protein – Supports growth and development. Brine shrimp are unable to synthesize certain essential amino acids absent in yeast.
B-Complex Vitamins – Promotes metabolism and enzyme function. Specific B vitamins like B12 are limited in brine shrimp diets.
Minerals – Essential minerals like selenium and iodine support thyroid hormone production and antioxidant status in brine shrimp.

Research also suggests yeast enhances the nutritional value of brine shrimp as live feed for fish, improving pigmentation and survival.

So in moderation yeast makes an excellent supplemental food for brine shrimp nutrition.

How to Prepare a Yeast Solution

Making a yeast solution at home is simple:

Use baker’s yeast – Active dry or instant work well. Brewers yeast is not recommended as it may contain bitter compounds.
Dissolve a pinch – For a standard 2L brine shrimp hatchery, dissolve 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon yeast in 1/4 cup warm water.
Use clean tools – Make sure equipment is sanitized to avoid contaminating the brine shrimp.
Mix well – Whisk thoroughly so yeast distributes evenly when fed to brine shrimp.

The yeast solution provides a nutritious “liquid food” source that the brine shrimp can easily filter and ingest.

Feeding Frequency and Amounts

When using a yeast solution, follow these feeding guidelines:

Feed newly hatched brine shrimp 2-3 times per week – Their small size means they ingest less at each feeding.
Add a few drops at a time – Start with 5-10 drops and observe if shrimp eat it all rapidly. Adjust amount accordingly.
Don’t overfeed – Excess uneaten yeast will cause fouling and ammonia spikes in the tank water. Stop feeding if water appears cloudy.
For larger brine shrimp, feed more solution 1-2 times per day but still avoid overfeeding.

The goal is to provide just enough yeast for brine shrimp to filter and consume, while minimizing buildup of excess yeast in the tank.

Potential Risks and Precautions

While yeast offers benefits, feeding it does come with some potential risks:

Fouled water – Excess yeast causes rapid deterioration in water quality. Monitor ammonia levels and do partial water changes if needed.
Oxygen depletion – Uneaten yeast consumes oxygen as it decomposes. Use an airstone for water circulation and surface agitation.
Bacterial growth – Yeast supports opportunistic bacteria that can infect brine shrimp, especially Vibrio species. Rinse eggs thoroughly before hatching and sanitize equipment.

With proper tank maintenance and feeding in moderation, these risks can be minimized. Never feed more yeast than brine shrimp can consume.

Additional Diet Tips for Brine Shrimp

To supplement the yeast and provide a balanced brine shrimp diet:

Offer microalgae like spirulina powder – Rich in pigments, protein, and lipids.
Try egg yolk – An excellent source of fatty acids and other nutrients.
Use vegetable powders – Spinach, seaweed or carrot boost vitamin and mineral content.
Vary diet frequently – Rotate various supplements to prevent nutritional deficiencies.

A diverse diet combining yeast, microalgae, egg yolk and vegetables will ensure brine shrimp thrive and remain nutritious as live feed.

Recipes for DIY Brine Shrimp Food Mixes

Here are two recipes for homemade brine shrimp foods using yeast you can try:

Recipe #1

1/8 tsp yeast
1/8 tsp spirulina powder
Pinch of egg yolk
1/4 cup warm water

Whisk ingredients into a smooth suspension and feed 1-2 drops daily.

Recipe #2

1/4 tsp yeast
1/8 tsp seaweed powder
Pinch of carrot powder
1/4 cup warm water

Blend ingredients together and feed a few drops 2-3 times per week.

These mixes provide a balanced range of proteins, lipids, pigments, vitamins and minerals.

Key Takeaways on Feeding Yeast

Here are my top tips for successfully feeding brine shrimp yeast:

Prepare a yeast solution by dissolving a small pinch in warm water.
Feed newly hatched brine shrimp small amounts 2-3 times per week.
For larger brine shrimp, feed more 1-2 times daily but don’t overfeed.
Supplement with spirulina, egg yolk and vegetable powders too.
Monitor water quality and use aeration to avoid fouling.
Rotate diet frequently to prevent nutritional deficiencies.

Used properly, yeast can boost brine shrimp growth and nutrition. Follow these best practices for getting the benefits while avoiding potential risks.

Yeast makes a beneficial supplemental food for brine shrimp due to its nutritional profile. By preparing simple yeast solutions at home and feeding proper amounts, you can boost growth and survival. Combine with other foods like microalgae and egg yolk as well. With the right diet and precautions, yeast helps brine shrimp thrive as nutritious live feed.

What food to feed brine shrimp

FAQ

How to make brine shrimp food from yeast?

A yeast suspension is also convenient food for shrimp. Make up a salt solution of the same salinity as the water in your shrimp culture. Stir in enough baker’s yeast to make the water appear “milky,” and then store the solution in a refrigerator. Always agitate the solution before use to resuspend the yeast.

How do you keep brine shrimp alive for feeding?

Harvest the baby brine shrimp (BBS) into a fine mesh net and rinse with fresh water. Divide the harvest from 1 gram of brine shrimp eggs into 3 or 4 shallow dishes (petri dishes) with a saturated brine solution. Place the dishes in the refrigerator. The BBS should remain alive for 2-3 days for later feedings.

What can brine shrimp be fed if kept in the lab?

Other feeds that have been used successfully to culture artemia are the spray-dried, single-celled yeasts, most notably Torula. Other feeds that have been used to culture brine shrimp are micronized forms of rice bran, corn bran, and soybean.

How to feed wheat flour to brine shrimp?

I feed a 1/4 tsp of whole wheat flour and dry spirulina powder (50/50 mix) with just a few granules of baker’s yeast. I have been feeding my fish with a small amount of the shrimp, but the shrimp seems to be producing at a similar rate.

How do you make brine shrimp with yeast?

Yeast suspensions are also a convenient, easy way to prepare a food source for brine shrimp. Make up a salt solution of the same salinity as the water in your brine shrimp culture. Stir in enough baker’s yeast to make the water appear milky, and then store the solution in a refrigerator.

Can I eat raw shrimp?

Eating raw shrimp is not recommended. Raw shrimp can contain bacteria that can cause food poisoning. It is also a good source of purines, which can trigger gout attacks. If you want to eat shrimp, cook it thoroughly to reduce the risk of food poisoning and to help prevent gout attacks. Cook shrimp until it is opaque and pink to ensure that it is safe to eat.

How do you feed brine shrimp?

Common yeast 947 W 3404 is a suitable food for brine shrimp. Add water to the yeast to create a suspension and add a few drops per five gallons of water to the surface of the tank every couple of days. You can also feed your brine shrimp with green algae such as spirulina that you can buy in flake or powder form from fish stores.

Can brine shrimp eat fish?

Brine shrimp likes any nutritious food that’s particle-sized. If the food is too large for them, they can’t eat it. You can feed them with egg yolk, yeast, soybean powder, powdered spirulina algae, and even fish meal. You should try to feed your brine shrimp daily because they’re one of the best sources of live food for fish!