Daphnia
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[edit] About Daphnia
Daphnia (Daphnia pulex, moina or magna) are small, mostly planktonic, crustaceans, between 0.2 and 5 mm in length. Daphnia are members of the order Cladocera, and are one of the several small aquatic crustaceans commonly called water fleas because of their jumping style (although fleas are insects and thus only very distantly related). They live in various aquatic environments ranging from acidic swamps to freshwater lakes, ponds, streams and rivers.
In the aquarium hobby they are an important food source for small fish.
You usually find these sold live in pet shops in a sealed small bag. Ask the shop when they got them in as you don't want old stock which will contain dead animals which will foul the water.
[edit] Breeding Daphnia
Its quite easy to breed this animal. Just supply a few litres of old tank water (Daphnia Magna 18-20C, Daphnia Moina 20-28C) with a ph of 7.5-9 (add 1 tsp of Bicarbonate of soda per 2 litres) and place in it an air-stone to ensure it is aerated. Daphnia feed on various groups of bacteria, yeast, microalgae, detritus, and dissolved organic matter. You can feed the daphnia fine powdered yeast or Spirulina as these animals are filter feeders. You can purchase algae pastes or make up your own food recipes as well.
You will need to perform daily water changes of 25% otherwise ammonia levels in the water will kill your culture.
[edit] Dried Daphnia
You can purchased Daphnia in the dry form. This is mature Daphnia which is dried and sold in small tubs. This food is cheap (typically £0.85 in the UK for a 70ml tub) and contains a high level of protein.
Due to its collection process the dried daphnia may also contains a small level of other insects. This makes the food excellent for surface or insect feeders. Small fish like Neon tetras, Glowlights, White Cloud Mountain minnows, etc. seem to take to it readily.
[edit] Analysis
Typical analysis of the product "SUPA" Daphnia. Protein: 30%, Oil: 3.6%, Fibre: 4.2%, Ash: 44.9%
- Typical food size is 1-3mm.
[edit] Protential problems
Daphnia should only be fed every now and then to your fish because they can act as a laxative causing serious digestive problems.
[edit] Books
- Plankton Culture Manual - An excellent book on culturing microalgae, rotifers, ciliates, Artemia and Daphnia. This is a "must have" book if you want to raise your own fish food. Great for both hobbyists and commercial fish farms. By Frank Hoff and Terry W. Snell. 1989. 126 pages.
