Peppermint Shrimp Larvae - Expected die off occurred | Day #9

Today is day 9 in my peppermint shrimp larval grow out tank. I noticed a die off in the tank this morning when I went to feed them. It is normal for multiple die offs to happen throughout rairing a peppermint shrimp to adulthood. They molt several times and its very stressful on them. The weak one die and the strong live on.
I siphoned out the dead larvae that I could see along with the brine shrimp cysts and other detritus or mulm on the bottom of the tank. This should lower the nutrients in this tank. I also did a 2 1/2 gallon water change.
About this larval tank.
The larval grow out tank is a 10 gallon $10 Petco special. I black out all sides and the bottom with a black vinyl sheet. This prevents any stray light from entering the tank. It is specifically designed with the heater and airstone in the corner off the bottom. This ensures that the peppermint shrimp larvae float around the tank in a circular motion. I lift the heater and air pump off the ground so no larvae get trapped and die.
Cycling this tank.
The round ball you see is a marine pure sphere seeded with beneficial nitrifying bacteria so it can handle the waste this tank produces.
Feeding the larvae.
I feed the peppermint shrimp larvae freshly hatched baby brine shrimp daily. The leftover baby brine shrimp goes in 5 gallon buckets to continue to grow as the peppermint shrimp larvae grow. The older the peppermint shrimp grows, the the larger baby brine shrimp they require. I feed my baby brine shrimp buckets RG Complete by Reef Nutrition.
Water Changes.
I use a rigid air line tubing and aquarium air line to siphon out any waste and unmatched baby brine shrimp cysts into a 5 gallon bucket. Typically, I will do about 2 or 3 water changes a week. Each water change is roughly 20%, depending on how much waste collects on the bottom glass.
What do I do with these peppermint shrimp?
I plan to sell them to my LFS. This is my 4th or 5th attempt at raising peppermint shrimp larvae to adulthood, and I have not successfully done so yet.
Where did I learn this?
I get most of my knowledge on breeding and raising peppermint shrimp from the book "How To Raise & Train Your Peppermint Shrimp" by April Kirkendoll. It's an easy book to read and not very long.
If you are interested in checking it out, you can pick it up here: amzn.to/3n6Iz5C
Have any other questions. Please let me know below in the comments section.
Let's connect:
Instagram - bit.ly/3CUFnfs
Facebook - bit.ly/3imeyZH
Twitter - bit.ly/39PNWeX
⚡️ Some product links are affiliate links which means if you buy something I will receive a small commission.
Thanks for watching!

[@ChadwickHorn]

From my own experience, even in a perfect environment with perfect parameters and everything, you still get a lot of die off. It's amazing that they survive in the ocean at all. Lol.

[@BriansAquariums]

Thank you for your knowledge! Yes, it is amazing that any of them make it in the wild. From the book I have been reading and referening, a good rate to adulthood is about 10-20%. I will be happy with a handful. This is my 4th or 5th attempt at raising them in a years time. Im really staying focused and putting in the work this time.

[@saularellano1866]

Hi , nice job man . Keep the great work , how is the project going ? Have you manage to raised one shrimp ? . Few years ago I got a pair of harlequim shrimp and I think they spawned in my tank a couple of times , unfortunately I left the hobby but I was always intrigue by the idea of trying to breed them, do you think it would be similar to pepperment shrimp?