Spirulina enhanced brine shrimp

[Ttw]

Has anyone noticed any effect on fish colors with feeding spirulina enhanced brine shrimp over regular brine shrimp?

 

[MacZ]

Not really. My frozen is without spirulina, my self-hatched are fed spirulina. But all fish eat both regularly. I attributed any positive development to feeding live brine shrimp most of the time now instead of frozen. But that could actually be part of what makes the difference.

Anyhow the effect was rather a health issue, not the colours. Many fish showed an improved health, better resilience against parasites and especially bacteria.

 

[Samala]

I've had better luck feeding or gut loading live shrimp with Chlorella. If I could easily culture Haematococcus pluvialis, one of the best known sources for astaxanthins, that would likely be better. If it weren't so expensive I'd also try feeding shrimp the astaxanthin powder sold as a supplement. Whole different can of potential worms in doing that but could be worthwhile (or just mad scientist fun).

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

If I could easily culture Haematococcus pluvialis

Not sure about in the USA, but in the UK it is really easy to find a starter culture from bird baths etc, basically the "red dust" in any small volume of water that <"regularly dries out and re-fills">. As soon as it is wet (and re-growing) it goes green and looks just like Chlorella. I assume you could dry the cultures out on a regular basis to avoid too much contamination, because it is a poor competitor.

If it weren't so expensive I'd also try feeding shrimp the astaxanthin powder sold as a supplement.

It has just got more and more expensive. I used to like the <"red Astax crumb from TA Aquaculture in the UK,"> but they can't get it any more, because of the demand from the food industry for astaxanthin.

cheers Darrel

 

[Samala]

Fascinating! I don't think I've ever had red algae in bird baths or other containers. Most of anything that has still water around here (Florida, US) winds up with green algae and after a day or so duckweed always magically appears. And mosquito larvae..

Will have to keep an eye out for it.