Brine shrimp naturally eat microalgae

Brine shrimp, or Artemia, are zooplankton whose natural diet is microalgae. In nature, these brine shrimp contain high levels of omega-3 fatty acids and protein. With our sustainable and cost-effective microalgal growth techniques, Demeter Biosciences creates a range of sustainable brine shrimp protein that can be tailored for fish and animal feeds. 

Today, brine shrimp are harvested from their natural environments

Brine shrimp are increasingly harvested from their natural environments. At the Great Salt Lake, for example, the amount of harvesting allowed per season is limited to preserve the population of brine shrimp. Weather variation like rainfall, temperature, and bird migrations all affect the nutritional quality of brine shrimp from these natural habitats. 

Brine shrimp egg harvest in Yuncheng in Northern China

Female brine shrimp adults

Who purchases brine shrimp today? 

Brine shrimp are currently used in several applications:
        1) Brine shrimp cysts are sold to children as "sea monkey" farms
        2) Brine shrimp cysts are hatched and fed to young fish (or larvae). For many young fish, like bass, these young brine shrimp are the only food known to sustain early life!
        3) Freeze dried or frozen brine shrimp are fed to aquarium fish and reptiles. 
        4) Live adult brine shrimp are fed to meat-eating fish kept in aquaria.

Sea monkey kit for children.

Brine shrimp hatching cones for aquaculture of young fish.

Brine shrimp as a fish feed

Our brine shrimp have protein and fat profiles closely mimicking that found in ocean ecosystems. 

Young fish larvae with smaller live brine shrimp feed

Freeze-dried brine shrimp formulation for aquaria

Live brine shrimp are a great aquarium treat!