Decapsulated Artemia for Baby Newts

[kurt]

Does anyone know if you can feed newt larvae, Spanish ribbed, Decapsulated Artemia?

 

[jennifer]

I have no personal experience with them. However, I have read that decapsulated artemia have a very poor hatch rate (and aren't really intended to be hatched out). They are produced as food to feed directly to some fish fry. In the unhatched state, they would probably not be eaten by newt larvae.

 

[jennifer]

One added point: you can decapsulate them yourself, then hatch them. There are instructions at:
http://www.sfbb.com/faqs.asp
But I think that if you buy them already decapsulated, they may have a poor hatch rate.

 

[joseph]

Jenn: I hear that decapsulation actually increases hatch rate, but the only reason to bother doing so is to avoid the shells which when injested by either small fish or small amphibians, can block the digestive tract.

The eggs can be fed decapsulated to some kinds of baby fish(emphasis on some...).
However, I doubt newts would eat the decap eggs.

 

[michael]

Their are 2 types of decapsulated artemia cysts. I think if you decapsulate right before hatching you will receive good hatch rates. The decapsulated eggs sold in bulk are often used for food without hatching. I don't think unhatched ones would work as a staple food.