Complete Guide to Hatching Sea Monkeys & Aqua Dragons Eggs
Success Rate: Following this guide should give you 80-90% hatch rates with quality cysts.
What You'll Need
Essential Materials
- Sea Monkeys/Aqua Dragons Cysts: 1-2 teaspoons high-quality Artemia salina eggs
- Non-iodized Salt: Sea salt or aquarium salt (2 tablespoons per liter)
- Container: 1-2 liter clear container or hatching cone
- Air Pump & Stone: For continuous aeration
- Light Source: Bright lamp or LED light
- Thermometer: To monitor water temperature
- Fine Mesh Net: For harvesting nauplii
Step-by-Step Hatching Process
Step 1: Prepare the Saltwater Solution
Create a saltwater solution with the following specifications:
- Salinity: 30-35 parts per thousand (ppt)
- Recipe: Mix 2 tablespoons of non-iodized salt per liter of water
- pH: Aim for 8.0-9.0 (naturally achieved with sea salt)
Important: Never use table salt with iodine - it will prevent hatching!
Step 2: Add the Cysts
Add 1-2 teaspoons of brine shrimp cysts to your prepared saltwater. The cysts will initially float on the surface.
Step 3: Provide Aeration
Set up continuous aeration using an air pump and air stone. The bubbles should:
- Keep cysts in constant gentle motion
- Prevent settling and clumping
- Provide essential oxygen for hatching
Step 4: Maintain Optimal Conditions
Temperature
Optimal: 25-30°C (77-86°F)
Minimum: 20°C (68°F)
Higher temperatures = faster hatching
Lighting
Type: Bright continuous light
Duration: 24 hours for hatching
Light triggers the hatching process
Step 5: Wait for Hatching
Hatching typically occurs within:
- 18-36 hours at optimal temperature (28-30°C)
- 24-48 hours at moderate temperature (24-26°C)
- 48-72 hours at lower temperature (20-22°C)
Harvesting Your Nauplii
Separation Technique
- Turn off aeration and let settle for 10-15 minutes
- Shine a flashlight on one side of the container
- Nauplii will swim toward the light (positive phototaxis)
- Empty shells float and unhatched cysts sink
- Carefully siphon the nauplii from the light area
Pro Tip: Use a turkey baster or siphon tube to collect nauplii without disturbing shells and debris.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Possible Causes & Solutions:
- Old or poor-quality cysts: Source fresh, high-grade cysts
- Incorrect salinity: Test and adjust to 30-35 ppt
- Insufficient aeration: Increase air flow
- Wrong temperature: Maintain 25-30°C
- Poor lighting: Use brighter, continuous light
Speed up the process:
- Increase temperature: Raise to 28-30°C
- Improve aeration: Add more air stones
- Check lighting: Ensure bright, continuous illumination
- Pre-soak cysts: Hydrate for 1 hour in fresh water first
Next Steps
Once you've successfully hatched your brine shrimp, you'll want to:
- Feed them immediately or use as fish food within 12 hours
- Learn about nutrition if you plan to grow them to adulthood
- Set up a continuous culture for ongoing supply
Ready for the Next Step?
Learn how to feed and grow your newly hatched nauplii into healthy adult brine shrimp.
Feeding & Nutrition Guide