200 eggs of Branchinella thailandensis (fairy shrimp)

The Importance of Branchinella thailandensis in the Diet of Triops

Triops (order Notostraca) are highly generalist, opportunistic omnivores capable of consuming a very wide range of food resources available in their temporary habitats. Their diet gradually becomes more predatory as they grow, shifting from passive filter feeding to active hunting of appropriately sized, mobile prey.

Branchinella thailandensis, a small freshwater anostracan native to Southeast Asia, falls into this category of potential prey. Like most Anostraca, it often shares the same temporary ponds, rice paddies, and seasonal pools as certain Triops species, creating a natural co-occurrence. Its adult size, between 2 and 3.5 cm, and its slow swimming at the surface or in open water make it an accessible target for a well-fed adult or subadult Triops. However, Branchinella thailandensis does not offer greater nutritional value than other organisms of comparable size and nutritional worth, such as daphnia, cyclops, juvenile brine shrimp, or other anostracans.

Learn more about the importance of Branchinella thailandensis in the diet of Triops...

Contents of your Branchinella thailandensis egg order

Branchinella thailandensis, like most Anostraca, produces resistance cysts (dormant eggs) at the end of its life cycle, an essential adaptation for surviving the seasonal desiccation of ephemeral habitats. These cysts, formed after sexual reproduction, are protected by a highly resistant chitinous shell and enter embryonic diapause. They can remain viable for several months to several years in dry conditions before resuming their development upon rehydration.

These specific eggs are designed for long-term survival and can therefore be harvested and stored.

Your order of Branchinella thailandensis eggs includes:

• You will receive a small bag containing an egg-sand mixture (approximately 200 to 250 eggs). You will also find a sample of powdered food (spirulina) specially formulated to feed your fairy shrimp once they have hatched.

The Production and Hatching of Resistant Cysts in Branchinella thailandensis

Branchinella thailandensis is a species of fairy shrimp native to Southeast Asia whose biology is closely linked to the rainfall cycle and the drying up of temporary pools. This adaptation manifests itself in the production of highly resistant cysts that can survive for long periods out of water before resuming their life cycle exclusively in freshwater.

In captivity, the hatching process is triggered simply by immersing the eggs in stable water between 22 and 25°C (or even 28°C or 30°C for faster hatching). Unlike brine shrimp, aeration or water movement is not necessary to induce hatching.

Within the specified temperature range (22 to 25°C), hatching generally occurs within 24 to 48 hours (although the total range extends from 8 hours to 3 days). The translucent larvae that emerge are attracted to light and have an initial nutritional autonomy of two days...

Learn more about cysts and the biological life cycle of Branchinella thailandensis...

Monitoring, precautions, and management of the culture medium

Although rearing can be carried out in small volumes, success depends on close monitoring of water quality and rigorous management of feed intake after the initial growth phases.

Cultivation Tips

• Feed your fairy shrimp sparingly using algae powder (spirulina or chlorella) or dried yeast (baker's yeast - not baking powder), previously dissolved in water.
• Wait until the water becomes clear again before adding more food. An excess can cause bacterial growth and disrupt the balance of the environment.
• Thoroughly rinse the starter bag containing the egg-sand mixture to collect all the eggs and maximize your chances of hatching.

Recommendations: My eggs aren't hatching?

Fairy Shrimp can be sensitive to water quality and temperature fluctuations. Please pay attention to these tips for optimal care:

• Stagnant Water: Maintain still water without any aeration system (air pump).
• Thermal Stability: Avoid any sudden temperature changes or shocks.
• Low Minerals: Use only high-quality rainwater or reverse osmosis water (low conductivity).
• Aseptic Practices: Ensure the container is absolutely clean, free of any chemical residue or pollutants.

Included in your order

• A mixture of eggs and sand (~200 to 250 eggs)
• A small sachet of spirulina powder to start

The fairy shrimp Branchinella thailandensis: a natural prey for Triops

Branchinella thailandensis can be prey for triops, but its importance in their diet should be understood as that of an optional live food and not a specific requirement. It falls into the general category of small anostracans that triops may capture and consume if they encounter them, in the same way that they eat daphnia, cyclops, or young brine shrimp. It is part of the diverse range of small anostracans that Triops consume as they encounter them in temporary ponds.

The main benefit of this cohabitation lies in the nutritional contribution these shrimp provide to their predators. Indeed, analysis of their composition reveals a remarkable nutritional density. We will now detail this aspect to better understand and grasp its importance within the Triops diet.

Potential Value as a Live Food

Nutritionally, Branchinella thailandensis is very rich in protein (≈ 65% on a dry matter basis) with a moderate lipid content and a good mineral profile. This profile is comparable to, or even superior to, that of brine shrimp, making it a high-quality live food for aquatic predators. Theoretically, for triops:

• This is a concentrated source of protein that provides the energy needed to support the Triops' extremely rapid metabolism, promoting more frequent and uncomplicated molts.
• These shrimp are a natural source of pigments (astaxanthin and other carotenoids) that enhance the Triops' carapace coloration and boost their immune system, making them more resistant to environmental stress.
• Their size (approximately 2 to 3.5 cm as adults) makes them suitable for large Triops... but they can also attack smaller or newly hatched individuals.
• Unlike inert foods (pellets), the swimming action of Branchinella engages the Triops' sensory and predatory abilities.
• A diet rich in live prey is often correlated with increased production of ephippie (resistance eggs) more abundant and of better quality, thus ensuring the survival of the strain over several generations.

Practical Advantages for the Breeder

From a maintenance perspective, Branchinella thailandensis offers undeniable logistical advantages compared to other common prey such as brine shrimp.

• Environmental Compatibility: Since their life cycle takes place entirely in freshwater, there is no risk of osmotic shock or salt pollution when transferring them to the Triops tank.
• Ease of Production: Their hatching requires neither complex aeration nor sophisticated equipment. Furthermore, their growth can be modulated to provide prey of different sizes (nauplii for young Triops, adults for mature specimens).

Nutritional Composition of Branchinella thailandensis (Thai Fairy Shrimp)

Branchinella thailandensis is widely used as live food in tropical aquaculture. Its biochemical composition, analyzed in several studies on Thai fairy shrimp, makes it a food of high nutritional value.

Here are the average values ​​reported for adults (dry weight) in the reference study on three Thai species (Dararat et al., 2012, Journal of Crustacean Biology):

Nutritional Analysis

• Crude Protein: approximately 64.65% (highest among the B. thailandensis, Streptocephalus sirindhornae, and S. siamensis studied).
• Crude Fat: approximately 7.57% (moderate level, but rich in essential fatty acids).
• Carbohydrate: approximately 16.24%.
• Fiber: approximately 5.12%.
• Ash (minerals): approximately 6.42%.

Carotenoids (Fat-Soluble Pigments)

254.41 µg/g (the highest concentration among the three Thai species analyzed), which explains its excellent potential for enhancing fish coloration (Dararat et al., 2012).

Fatty Acid Profile

The main fatty acids identified in Branchinella thailandensis and related Thai fairy shrimps include:

• Palmitic (C16:0),
• Oleic (C18:1n-9),
• Stearic (C18:0),
• Linolenic (C18:3n-3),
• Linoleic (C18:2n-6) (Dararat et al., 2012). al., 2012).

These polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and monounsaturated fatty acids are particularly beneficial for the growth, development, and health of Triops (as well as fish larvae and other crustaceans).

Amino Acid Profile

Like most Anostraca, fairy shrimp are rich in essential amino acids (especially leucine, isoleucine, valine, lysine, and arginine). Overall, they have a profile comparable to that of Artemia, with high digestibility and good coverage of essential amino acid requirements.