Decapped vs non(Brine)

Grunt · #1 04/12/2007, 08:14 PM

Do you prefer to use decapped brine shrimp or do you take the time to seperate shrimp from shell? Pro's cons?

How long will a pound last usually? and how many fish whether brood or larvae does that cover?
Cheers

skipm · #2 04/13/2007, 08:26 AM

I prefer decapped mainly because I feel like the BBS maintain a bit more of their nutritional value because they don't have to expend the energy to break out of the hard shell. Another reason I prefer decapped is that I don't have to deal with seperating the shells.

ediaz · #3 04/13/2007, 10:52 AM

Some people decap some don't they get the same results, for me it does not matter.

A pound lasts me 2 months for about 4000 larvae feeding twice a day.

Ed

EMBRYOGUY · #4 04/13/2007, 03:26 PM

skip

where do you purchase your decap bs?

billsreef · #5 04/13/2007, 03:35 PM

Pros, they expend less energy to hatch and are more nutritional, no fussing to separate shells--strain and feed, the eggs are disinfected, and a slightly higher hatch rate.

Cons, more expesive to buy already decapsulated, or messing around with chemicals if you decapsulate your own.

I decapsulate my own, and wouldn't dream of not decapsulating

Grunt · #6 04/14/2007, 10:48 PM

Thanks for the valuable information guys. I'm trying to get started with breeding and I'm in the planning stages. This information really helps. Thanks again
Cheers

Baalz · #7 04/16/2007, 07:25 AM

Never needed to decapsulate to get decent survival rate. Just drain carefully and rinse em in fresh water.
I got enough work already, don't need to add more to the pot.

skipm · #8 04/16/2007, 01:46 PM

There are several sources to get decapped BBS cysts on the net, some of which are www.seahorsesource.com , www.carolina.com (small bottles of Artemia Revolution, about 2 oz. if I remember correctly). I have also seen some of the larger aquarium supply e-tailers sell Life A cysts which are decapped but I have no experience with them.