Why Daphnia
Daphnia is size-variable — small neonates feed young fry, adults feed juveniles and adult fish.
Contains natural fiber that prevents constipation in adult breeders.
Digests fast — no bloat risk.
Culture Setup
A clean 5 gallon bucket or 10 gallon tank. No filter, airstone optional.
Add spring water or aged tap water. Temperature 18 to 26°C.
Seed with 50 to 100 daphnia from a supplier or wild pond (risk of parasites).
Feeding the Culture
Green water (algae water) from a sunny jar — optimal food.
Spirulina powder pinch 3 times weekly as backup.
Yeast solution (1/4 teaspoon baker yeast in 50ml water) works short-term.
Harvesting
Scoop with a fine brine shrimp net once daily.
Rinse briefly before feeding to remove bacteria.
Never overharvest — leave at least half the visible population.
Pest Control
Hydra and snails sometimes invade — copper treatment damages daphnia, so instead restart from a clean isolated pocket.
Cover culture with a screen to keep flies and mosquitoes out.