San Francisco Bay Strain Brine Shrimp Cysts (Artemia franciscana)

The San Francisco Bay area and select hypersaline biotopes are home to a highly sought-after strain of Artemia franciscana. The newly hatched nauplii (baby brine shrimp) from these unique waters are highly prized by professional breeders and serious aquarists alike. They are distinctly smaller than standard brine shrimp and boast a significantly higher HUFA (Highly Unsaturated Fatty Acid) nutritional profile. Because this strain represents only a tiny fraction of the global cyst harvest, their limited availability makes them a premium, boutique offering in the hobby.

Note on Hatching: Because the shells of these coastal Artemia are slightly heavier than standard strains, a small portion of empty shells may sink to the bottom rather than float after hatching.

The Benefits of Live Brine Shrimp

  • Superior Nutritional Profile: Boasting a protein content of up to 60% of their dry weight, freshly hatched brine shrimp are an incredibly efficient, energy-dense food source designed to maximize the growth rates of young fish.

  • Stimulates Hunting Instincts: Their unique, erratic swimming motions trigger the natural predatory instincts of your fish, providing excellent mental enrichment and physical activity.

  • Highly Digestible: They are easily consumed and gentle on the delicate digestive systems of fry and nano fish.

  • Biosecure Live Food: Unlike many other live foods, cultured brine shrimp rarely carry pathogens or diseases that can be transmitted to your aquarium.

  • Versatile & Micro-Sized: Their extreme salinity tolerance makes them an excellent live food for both freshwater and marine environments. Their exceptionally tiny size makes them the perfect first food for microscopic fish fry.

Hatching Guidelines

The hatching process for this premium strain is identical to standard brine shrimp eggs. For optimal hatch rates, use the following parameters:

  • Salinity: 30 grams of non-iodized sea salt per liter of water.

  • Temperature: Ideal hatching temperature is 25°C (77°F).

  • Hatching Time: 36 to 48 hours.

Storage Instructions

To maintain maximum hatch rates over time, brine shrimp cysts must be kept completely free of moisture in a tightly sealed container.

  • Short-Term Storage (3–4 weeks): Keep refrigerated below 10°C.

  • Long-Term Storage: Freezing is highly recommended to preserve viability for extended periods.

SKU 22202222
Brand Unbranded
Shipping Weight 0.1000kg
Shipping Width 0.200m
Shipping Height 0.030m
Shipping Length 0.140m
Shipping Cubic 0.000840000m3

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