Ostracods Gray Microfauna

Description

These Ostracods Gray Microfauna are our smallest available ostracod species. Ostracods are sometimes called seed shrimp. These small, aquatic, freshwater crustaceans measure under a millimeter in length and are offered here in a group of approximately 50+ specimens for $10.

They are detritivores, feeding on decomposing organic matter in the water and work as a clean up crew in the tank. They are prolific breeders and water beetles and small predatory aquatic hemipterans like backswimmers will pick them off as food too. They are also an important aquatic feeder insect for our aquatic insect immatures!

If you want to culture them, we simply feed them a tiny bit of brewer’s yeast and a tiny piece of algae wafer (aquatic insect snack pack sold separately).

You might consider setting up a separately breeding colony of them in a gallon container. To learn more about “resurrection jars” watch this Father Fish demo here: Master Aquarist Secret For Growing Live Food in Your Aquarium – YouTube

See more info on Wikipedia

More photos on Bugguide.net

Note video below shows our other species of ostracod.

 

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