Brine Shrimp Eggs from 1996?

[StevesFishTanks]

I bought a bunch of fishroom supplies from a breeder getting out of the hobby earlier today. 

While going through the storage containers of stuff I found an old can of brine shrimp eggs.  It looked to have been stored at fish room temperature or higher for many years. The can was pretty rusted and the eggs were actually sealed in a glass mason jar inside the coffee style can.  Some were clumped and not in the greatest condition. 

The brand is Sanders, which I looked up is still selling brine shrimp and has the same phone number and address as listed on the can. The can has a copyright with the year 1996 and is pretty aged looking.  I have not seen this brand at my local supplier. 

Anyway I thought it would be a fun experiment to make a batch using these eggs.  Will report back with results if anything hatches.

[Levi_Aquatics]

It will be exciting to see how this works out!

[StevesFishTanks]

[Wingman12r]

Imo they will probably be fine. You won't likely have the absolute best hatch rate. 

I spent a lot of time on the Great Salt Lake and have seen where many brine shrimp are harvested. They go through heat and cold cycles, drought ect. then still remain viable.

[Guppysnail]

I would worry about the rust particles getting in the eggs and hatch and going into the tank. I’m not sure if this would actually even be harmful but something you may want to look into. 

[KaitieG]

On 2/9/2022 at 8:12 AM, Guppysnail said:

I would worry about the rust particles getting in the eggs and hatch and going into the tank. I’m not sure if this would actually even be harmful but something you may want to look into. 

Easy Iron 😃

[StevesFishTanks]

The cysts were actually protected from the rust in a glass jar

[Ashlyn]

This so super neat! It’s a fun “ collectible item” if you would. 

[Andy's Fish Den]

The biggest enemies of brine shrimp eggs are heat and moisture. I am sure that you will have some hatch but the hatch rate will probably be pretty low, but it will be a fun experiment to try and see. Be sure to keep us posted on what happens.

[StevesFishTanks]

As expected the eggs hatch rate was pretty bad.

I would estimate about 5%

Still amazing that some hatched after spending 20+ years in stored in non ideal conditions as an egg

[PineSong]

5% is still amazing--where there is a way, nature will find it. Neat experiment!

[Andy's Fish Den]

On 2/10/2022 at 7:01 PM, StevesFishTanks said:

As expected the eggs hatch rate was pretty bad.

I would estimate about 5%

Still amazing that some hatched after spending 20+ years in stored in non ideal conditions as an egg

Thanks for the update!