Investigating the feeding behaviour of brine shrimps

Abstract

Brine shrimps, Artemia franciscana, appeal to students of all ages and can be easily maintained and reared in a classroom or laboratory. In nature they live in salt lakes feeding on algae, either by filter feeding as they swim or by grazing on the bottom mud. The salt lake environment can be mimicked in a laboratory, and students can learn much from observing shrimps grazing. But what happens to their feeding behaviour if the substrate is above the bottom of the tank? Apparatus is described that enables students to observe shrimps feeding at different levels and to study some influences on their behaviour.

Keywords:

• Behaviour
• Artemia
• Feeding