Really Really need help with Hatching Brine Shrimp

[malira]

You know that feeling you get when someone says "you can't miss it," and you do? That's how I feel.

I've seen the videos on how to do it but when I tried most of the eggs did not hatch.

I have a light, air, and the soda bottle inverted like most of the videos. I used San Francisco Bay Hatch Mix the 2 times. It has the salt and eggs in there it says just add water. So I added RODI water, the mix, turned on the air and the light waited 24 then 36 hours and most of the eggs did not hatch.

I am order just the container of eggs this time and tried it but still not the success I see on the videos.

I used new saltwater, salinity 1.026, and still had the same results. Some hatch but not like on the videos. Also the hatched eggs don't float. Most of the unhatched egg sink to the bottom. The temp was in the low 80"s.

Are there any other methods/tricks to getting the 85% to 95% hatch rate they claim?

 

[DereksReef77]

When I was like 12 years old I was hatching baby brine shrimp to feed my freshwater angelfish. I use to breed them at a young age. Got into it because my uncle got me into keeping fish. Anyway we made a hatching container out of 2 liter soda bottles (plastic) and an air pump and airline tubing conected to the twist cap. Anyways I always had great hatch rates. I think maybe try a better brine shrimp egg. I used osi brand back in the day. I am now 39 years old.

 

[Lionfish Lair]

I have never had much success at all with that brand. Do they guarantee 85-95% hatch rate on their packaging?

Is your water warm enough? Try hatching it for a lot longer and see if more hatch. If you haven't thrown away the last batch, start them going gain for 12 hours and see what happens.

I used tap water and table salt to hatch mine and I had a beautiful hatch rate. Sometimes it's more about the quality of the eggs than the conditions of the hatch.

 

[malira]

When I was like 12 years old I was hatching baby brine shrimp to feed my freshwater angelfish. I use to breed them at a young age. Got into it because my uncle got me into keeping fish. Anyway we made a hatching container out of 2 liter soda bottles (plastic) and an air pump and airline tubing conected to the twist cap. Anyways I always had great hatch rates. I think maybe try a better brine shrimp egg. I used osi brand back in the day. I am now 39 years old.

I'm using San Francisco Bay. Suppose to be pretty good. I still think I'm doing something wrong.

 

[malira]

I have never had much success at all with that brand. Do they guarantee 85-95% hatch rate on their packaging?

Is your water warm enough? Try hatching it for a lot longer and see if more hatch. If you haven't thrown away the last batch, start them going gain for 12 hours and see what happens.

I used tap water and table salt to hatch mine and I had a beautiful hatch rate. Sometimes it's more about the quality of the eggs than the conditions of the hatch.

I harvested what was swimming in the water column and continued to hatch what was left. I'll check when I get home. Is temp really that important?

 

[Lionfish Lair]

Yea, it will definitely affect the hatch rate and speed.

 

[Lionfish Lair]

I used a light close to the container to heat the brine. What method are you using anyway? 2 litre bottle or?

 

[malira]

I used a light close to the container to heat the brine. What method are you using anyway? 2 litre bottle or?

Yes, a 2 liter bottle. The temp is low 80's. I use a shop light with a 60 watt incandescent bulb, about 6 to 8 inches from the top of the bottle.

But why won't my hatched eggs float and why do the unhatched eggs sink. Is this normal?

 

[Lionfish Lair]

Edit: yes, that's where unhatched eggs go.... to the bottom. Only the shells float.

That's temp is good.

 

[Damon]

I agree with the stock of eggs. It is critically important.. As soon as I went away from the San Francisco brand, to what one of my local stores sell, that my hatch rate went up tremendously.. And the heat is also pretty important. The warmer to a certain extent, the faster they hatch..

Lol, my problem is keeping them alive to fully grown.. I haven't figured out that part yet.. I had a few adults, feed a drop of selcon and proof! Gone..

But try a different brand of eggs and you will probably have a massive increase in hatching..

 

[malira]

I agree with the stock of eggs. It is critically important.. As soon as I went away from the San Francisco brand, to what one of my local stores sell, that my hatch rate went up tremendously.. And the heat is also pretty important. The warmer to a certain extent, the faster they hatch..

Lol, my problem is keeping them alive to fully grown.. I haven't figured out that part yet.. I had a few adults, feed a drop of selcon and proof! Gone..

But try a different brand of eggs and you will probably have a massive increase in hatching..

Thank you for the advice. I will try another brand. Any suggestions?
My the local stores do not sell any.

I don't need adults I am trying to set up a feeding station for my ruby red dragonet. Then transition him to frozen.

 

[Damon]

I'm not sure to be honest.. I usually buy an ounce from the store. They have a big blue can.. Maybe check Amazon..

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Thank you guys! Not sure how yall read my mind like that. I was going to try to find out what Paul B uses today. And buy his book!

 

[malira]

Thank you guys! Not sure how yall read my mind like that. I was going to try to find out what Paul B uses today. And buy his book!

That's a great idea. I wonder what Paul B uses and how he does it so well.

 

[Lionfish Lair]

It has to be the eggs/mix. It's honestly not a hard thing and you seem to be doing all that is necessary. I hatched twice a day for 5 years and I don't know if I've had but one batch fail and all I honestly used was iodine-free table salt and straight tap water. I used the large cans from the site Brine Shrimp Direct. They have the different hatch rate percentages listed.

 

[Lionfish Lair]

What/who are you hatching brine for?

 

[malira]

It has to be the eggs/mix. It's honestly not a hard thing and you seem to be doing all that is necessary. I hatched twice a day for 3 years and I don't know if I've had but one batch fail and all I honestly used was iodine-free table salt and straight tap water. I used the large cans from the site Brine Shrimp Direct. They have the different hatch rate percentages listed.

Your right. It's not hard, supposedly, so it must be eggs. This is the 3rd batch and my son did about a dozen hatches with like results.
I'll lookup that company.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

It has to be the eggs/mix. It's honestly not a hard thing and you seem to be doing all that is necessary. I hatched twice a day for 5 years and I don't know if I've had but one batch fail and all I honestly used was iodine-free table salt and straight tap water. I used the large cans from the site Brine Shrimp Direct. They have the different hatch rate percentages listed.

What/who are you hatching brine for?

Thanks Renee. Me, Im having Mandy guilt. Fat but could be better. And I want pipe fish again.

 

[malira]

What/who are you hatching brine for?

Ruby red dragonet feeding station in my 10g.

 

[Damon]

Thanks for the info..

Do you guys have any advice on feeding once they are hatched? I have read spirulina powder, dry yeast, and selcon. But the selcon seems to foul it, and the yeast only seems to keep them for a little bit.

I've been thinking of buying a 5 gallon tank and trying that? I would love to grow some out, after all the attempt I have made with learning to hatch them..