Brine Shrimp Eggs

Brine shrimp eggs (Artemia cysts) are a trusted live-feed starter used worldwide for fish and shrimp larvae thanks to their high hatchability and nutrition. At Ze Zhi Heng, we specialize in bulk supply of brine shrimp eggs, delivering consistent quality, stable hatching performance, and reliable large-volume fulfillment.

Choose Your Brine Shrimp Eggs

Shell-On Brine Shrimp Eggs for Hatching

Classic shell-on brine shrimp eggs shipped with intact shells. Designed for standard hatching in hatcheries, offering reliable performance and long shelf life under proper cool, dry storage.

Brine Shrimp Eggs for Hatching (Decapsulate Before Hatching)

Shipped as shell-on eggs, but intended for on-site decapsulation before hatching. After decapsulation, hatch under conditions similar to shell-on eggs—cleaner operation with less shell waste and easier tank management.

Decapsulated Brine Shrimp Eggs (Non-Hatching)

Shell-free brine shrimp eggs for direct feeding. Quick to rehydrate, easy to handle, and low-waste—ideal for aquariums and small users who want a clean, convenient feeding option. No hatching required.

How to Choose the Right Brine Shrimp Eggs

Different species and routines need different Artemia options. Pick the egg type that matches your system and labour plan—shell-on, decapsulate before hatching, or shell-free for direct feeding.

Shell-On Brine Shrimp Eggs for Hatching

Commonly used in shrimp hatcheries and larval rearing operations; also used for fish, crab, and other aquaculture species in smaller volumes.
Best for farms that hatch daily and need a stable, cost-efficient supply with predictable results.
Intact shells support long-term storage under cool, dry conditions; uniform cyst size performs consistently in hatching cones and tanks.
Basic use: prepare saltwater, provide continuous aeration to keep eggs suspended, maintain suitable temperature/light, and harvest nauplii after hatching. Separate shells and unhatched cysts before feeding.

Brine Shrimp Eggs for Hatching (Decapsulate Before Hatching)

Delivered as shell-on eggs; decapsulate the eggs before hatching.
Decapsulation reduces shell debris, helping keep hatching tanks cleaner and lowering load on filtration systems.
Nauplii hatch without breaking through a hard shell, supporting faster, more uniform hatching under good conditions and reducing the risk of physical irritation from shell fragments.
Well suited for high-density hatching, recirculating systems, sensitive species, and hatcheries that want to shorten cleaning time and simplify separation.

Decapsulated Brine Shrimp Eggs (Non-Hatching)

Delivered shell-free and designed for direct feeding—no complex hatching setup required.
Typical users include aquariums, ornamental fish keepers, retailers, and small R&D teams with limited manpower and smaller daily usage.
How to use:
- Direct feeding – Rehydrate in a small amount of clean water for a few minutes until fully hydrated, then feed only what fish can finish quickly.
Note: This product is intended for feeding convenience rather than hatching. Please confirm whether your protocol requires live nauplii or direct feeding, and prepare your procedures accordingly.

Nutritional Value of Brine Shrimp Eggs (Artemia Cysts) and Why It Matters

1) Protein

Brine shrimp eggs are extremely rich in protein, accounting for about 60% of the dry weight, with a complete amino acid profile.
Why it matters: Protein is a core nutrient required for the growth and development of aquatic animals such as fish, shrimp, and crabs—especially during the larval and nursery stages.

2) Lipids (Fats)

Total lipid content is about 20%, with a high proportion of unsaturated fatty acids. The unsaturated fatty acid ratio of decapsulated cysts (about 54.82%) is higher than that of non-decapsulated cysts (about 48.15%).
Why it matters: Lipids provide energy for larvae, and key fatty acids such as DHA and EPA help support nervous system development and enhance disease resistance.

3) Minerals, Vitamins, and Carotenoids

Brine shrimp eggs are rich in minerals (such as iron, zinc, and selenium), vitamins, and carotenoids. For example, in dried products, zinc can reach 5.8–6.5 mg/100 g, and selenium can be 0.025–0.035 mg/100 g.
Why it matters: Carotenoids help improve coloration in cultured species. Iron is a key component of hemoglobin and helps increase hemoglobin levels.

Practical Applications of Brine Shrimp Eggs

1) The “Baby Food” for Aquaculture Hatcheries

Globally, over 85% of farmed aquatic species rely on Artemia as a starter feed during the nursery stage—making it a cornerstone of the aquaculture industry. For many fish, shrimp, and crab larvae, whether they can start feeding on a suitable, highly digestible, high-quality diet often determines the success of the entire hatchery process.

2) A “Nutritional Boost” for Ornamental Fish

In ornamental fish keeping, feeding Artemia nauplii or adults can improve vitality and enhance coloration, making fish look brighter and healthier.

3) A Unique “Bio-Capsule” Carrier

Artemia can also be used as a “living capsule.” Medications or vaccines can be loaded into Artemia, so fish or shrimp larvae ingest the treatment while feeding—helping prevent and control disease.

Storage Methods and Key Precautions for Brine Shrimp Eggs

1) Temperature Is the #1 Factor

Short-term storage: Keep eggs in a dry environment at 0°C–5°C.
Long-term storage: Store in a freezer at -18°C or below.

2) Strictly Avoid Moisture and Light

Brine shrimp eggs are highly sensitive to moisture, which is the main cause of spoilage. Storage must remain absolutely dry. Also store away from light, as strong light (especially direct sunlight) accelerates quality deterioration.

3) After Opening the Package

If the original packaging has been opened, tightly seal the bag or transfer the eggs to an airtight container, then return them to cold storage as soon as possible. Once opened, it is recommended to use them within a short time to avoid moisture absorption that can reduce hatch rates.

4) Regular Inspection

Check the eggs occasionally. Normal eggs should be dry and free-flowing. If you notice clumping, mold, or unusual odors, the product may have spoiled and should not be used.

5) Store According to Your Purpose

Clarify whether you want:

Ready-to-hatch activity (short-term refrigeration), or
Long-term preservation (long-term freezing).
Your goal determines the best storage method.

Hatching Conditions for Brine Shrimp Eggs

Cyst density: 2 g/L
Hatching temperature: 28 ± 1°C (cold-tolerant eggs: 24 ± 1°C)
Salinity: 2%
pH: 7–9
Hatching time: 24-36 hours
Light: Continuous illumination at 2000 lux
Aeration: Continuous aeration to keep eggs fully suspended; dissolved oxygen > 2 mg/L

Brine Shrimp Egg Origins and Long-Term Supply

Artemia cysts mainly come from high-salinity lakes and salt ponds around the world. To reduce dependence on any single lake and to improve supply security, Ze Zhi Heng sources from multiple regions, including:

China – inland salt lakes and coastal salt ponds
Kazakhstan – saline lakes including the Aral Sea region
Uzbekistan – Aral Sea and connected areas
Russia – Western Siberian salt lakes

Why multiple origins matter for you

More reliable supply – If bad weather or local regulations affect one lake, other lakes can still support your orders, so your hatchery schedule is not easily interrupted.
More consistent performance – Different lakes have different strengths. By working with several origins, Ze Zhi Heng can keep hatch rate and temperature performance more stable from batch to batch.
More options for your business – Multiple sources give us better room to match your preferred hatch rate, temperature profile and shipment size, and to handle seasonal peaks more smoothly.

Packaging Options & Application Scenarios

To match different usage volumes and handling preferences, we offer three main packaging formats.

1) 425 g Tins (12 tins per carton / 5.1 kg)

Best for: Flexible day-to-day use, retail channels, small-batch handling
Key benefits:

Compact, easy to store and open; convenient for frequent small dosing
Helps reduce exposure per use (opening only what you need)
Suitable for repacking and private label options
Common choice for aquarium and ornamental fish users, especially for direct-feeding products (often 425 g or smaller)

2) 5 kg / 10 kg Plastic Pails

Best for: Medium to high consumption users who want a balance of capacity and convenience
Key benefits:

Practical size for regular usage; easy to carry and stack
Resealable lids support repeated opening during daily production
Lower packaging cost per kg than small tins while still easy to handle

3) 25 kg Fiber Drums

Best for: High-volume operations and bulk shipping
Key benefits:

Efficient for large consumption and long-term stocking
Reduces packaging and logistics cost per kg for bulk orders
Suitable for palletized shipping and export documentation when required

Contact Ze Zhi Heng

Looking for the right Artemia solution for your farm or brand?

• Select your preferred hatch rate, hatching method and temperature range in the form.
• Tell us your country and the quantity you have in mind (kg).
• Use the message box to share your species, system type or any special requirements.

Our team at Ze Zhi Heng will match you with the most suitable grade and packaging (tins, pails or drums), and prepare a tailored quotation or sample plan.

Get in touch with Ze Zhi Heng today and start improving your fry survival and growth with reliable Artemia products.