raising BBS

pygmaeus · Post by **pygmaeus** » 26 Dec 2007, 05:59

(not sure if I'm posting this in the right section, feel free to move it if it's not)

So I got some money from Santa

and will be off to get the rest of my hopefully-soon-to-be breeding colony of C. pygmaeus.

I was told here that it's a good idea to supplement their diet with live food, especially since I know they're not in great shape at the store I have to get them at. So their diet will be Omega One shrimp pellets & veggie rounds & tropical flakes (crushed) plus BBS. I also have fd bloodworms I could chop up for them. Sound good or anything else I should get them?

This is my first time with live food so just wanted to make sure I know what I'll need before I go out shopping. So I'll need the eggs...a container (suggestions?)...salty water (what concentration works well? I always hear different numbers)...an air stone (right?)...a light (right? would a regular lamp work ok?)...a heat source (would it be ok in my room, which is mid-70s? plus if I use a lamp that'll give off heat)...and something to strain them with (I've heard a coffee filter works?) More questions...is it necessary to rinse them before feeding? How much do I feed to a group (7-12) of young pygmies? How many eggs should I use to produce that amount of BBS? Any equipment I missed?

Thanks for the help.

Mike_Noren · Post by **Mike_Noren** » 26 Dec 2007, 08:50

The method I use to hatch artemia:
http://mikes-machine.mine.nu/EasyArtemia.htm

If you get bad hatching from using this method, you've either used way too much eggs or the eggs are old.

apistomaster · Post by **apistomaster** » 26 Dec 2007, 18:18

Be sure to buy eggs that are in sealed cans. Do not bother with the little glass vial or plastic tubes; they will not hatch.

pygmaeus · Post by **pygmaeus** » 26 Dec 2007, 20:21

Thanks for the link Mike N! I'll definately try your method.

Apisto-what do you mean by glass or plastic tubes? If the tube is sealed what's the difference between that and a can?

Mike_Noren · Post by **Mike_Noren** » 27 Dec 2007, 01:51

Glass tube eggs can have good hatching rate, but the seal is probably not as air tight as the cans, and air and moisture will cause the eggs to age quickly, and hatch rate to drop.
On the other hand, once the can is opened it's not air tight either.

pygmaeus · Post by **pygmaeus** » 27 Dec 2007, 04:22

Ok...so let's say the only BBS eggs I can get at the moment are in a tube (I think I remember seeing a tube of eggs at the store), should I add more of them to the hatching container to make up for lower hatch rates?