Life On A Stick (seed shrimp vs. daphnia)

An up close look at seed shrimp and daphnia with details about their reproduction. Seed shrimp / ostracods in the aquarium, and how to raise daphnia. A comparison of asexual reproduction and sexual reproduction with a special look at parthenogenesis.
The Camera I Use To Film This Video - Panasonic HC V770 HD digital camera.
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[@666lupine666]

As an ameature biologist and as a human, thank you for this informative video. it increased my IQ.

[@TheDave333]

Excellent! Thanks for watching.

[@petecross9470]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 Fascinating, educational and expertly filmed and narrated! Believe me, if I had the means to donate, this would be one of the few channels I'd be more than willing to support financially! In the meantime, I'll have to be content with being poor financially but growing increasingly rich intellectually thanks, in part, to your marvelous content. Thank you!

[@TheDave333]

Thank you for watching my videos, and taking the time to leave a comment. I really appreciate it. . . My wealthy benefactor will come along someday. Until then, I'll treasure the beauty of nature and still continue to share it with the world. 😊😊😊

[@mji8805]

Extremely well put together videos. Quality, education, narration, it's all there.

[@TheDave333]

Thank you so much!

[@PredactorX]

Excellent video quality

[@TheDave333]

Thank you

[@vikkirountoit497]

Beautiful video! Yep life finally found a way in my jar and I have a very happy colony of seed shrimp. Wish I could figure out how to have daphnia thrive. Heading into winter in Virginia and my seed shrimp have been reproducing consistently enough for a few months now to pull regularly to add to various nano tanks around house. After many unsuccessful attempts, my current mix seems to be working: aquarium water and rain water in pasta sized jar with a few small rocks, a bit of java moss, a small bit of stick, sitting on windowsill with a lot of sun making green water. Seed shrimp heaven I guess. Just split the colony into 2 jars so I have a backup. Question - if you have any houseplant cuttings rooted in water, have you found copepods in that water? I have been seeing what I think are cyclops but not the ones I am familiar with (these have an almost straight taper and seem longer) and they are sparse but in almost every houseplant cutting jar (I have lots) and I assume they are there from being fertilized sometimes with diluted tank water. I have never seen one with an egg sac and cannot get a clear view of antennae with my feeble magnifier.

[@TheDave333]

I haven't noticed any copepods in my house plant cuttings, but I regularly use old tank water from water changes, so there are probably some in there as well. I'll have to take a look. . . I love the tiny creatures. So, interesting. I'd really like to get more footage of cyclops, they're one of my favorites. 😊 Thank you so much for watching my videos.

[@jamiegallier2106]

Another amazing video, thank you! I can’t believe how adorable seed shrimp are. Daphnia are fun to keep and observe. I have a variety of gammarus/copepods that are so interesting to watch, always busy. Have to keep a magnifying glass handy to better enjoy their antics. Added a microscope to my wishlist because I’ve definitely got creatures to small to make out with the magnifying glass.

[@TheDave333]

Thanks for watching the video. From what I've seen, the smaller the creature, the more interesting they are! There's some very bizarre little animals swimming around in the water. 🐟🦐🦠

[@jamiegallier2106]

@@TheDave333 so true! I’m glad you enjoy the wee things and have such talent filming them- it allows everyone to appreciate them the way we do.❤️

[@corydorassterbai8659]

Great video. Like a documentary😂 Personally i would Like more care videos for fish/shrimp. Just curios, what fish do you have AT The moment?

[@TheDave333]

I like to mix things up and provide a variety of videos, indoor stuff, outdoors in the wild, care videos etc. At the moment I have 1000s of guppies, Endler livebearers, hill stream loaches, tiger barbs, corydoras catfish, bristlenose catfish, mud puppies (neotenic salamander) dozens of bettas and their fry, kuhli loaches, pearl gouramis, convict cichlids, celestial pearl danios, and assorted shrimp.

[@corydorassterbai8659]

@@TheDave333 Wow, thats a lot of stuff😂. Would love a video with The hillstream loaches👍

[@TheDave333]

I'm working on it. I like to have the whole life cycle on film, and it has to be of the best quality, so it takes time.

[@corydorassterbai8659]

@@TheDave333 We always have Time for your content❤️

[@bxmully]

One for the algo. Love your work. Always happy to see you post.

[@TheDave333]

Thank you, always happy to see your comments. 😊

[@chhuantea1781]

First from mizoram

[@TheDave333]

Thanks for being right on top of things. You're number 1 😊😊😊

[@MarksShrimpTanks]

Love your videos Dave!! 👍

[@TheDave333]

Thanks Mark! I've been watching your channel for a couple years now. Great stuff. 👍

[@nafisfuad5286]

I love watching your videos. They are not only entertaining but also informative.

[@TheDave333]

Thank you so much, and I appreciate you taking the time to watch them and leave a comment.

[@chisaquaticvibe6524]

Happy New Year!

[@TheDave333]

Thank you, and happy New Year to you as well. It's going to be a great year!

[@caitlincowie5333]

This is an awesome video. I'm working on a facts video about shrimp and animals commonly called shrimp. Would it be possible to use or license a couple of your clips? That would be so helpful.

[@TheDave333]

Hi, thanks for watching the video. If you'd like to discuss purchasing some of my work, I can be reached at [e-mail]

[@audrameyer9558]

Thank you for making me a more knowledgeable human. I love learning when it feels like I am just having fun! Your voice is amazeballs too, so that helps!! 😳😁

[@TheDave333]

Wow, thank you! "Amazeballs" that's a new one, and it brought a smile to my face. So, thank you for that! 😊😊😊

[@PotooBurd]

This is Amazing! INSTANT SUBSCRIBE🌻 keep it up!

[@TheDave333]

Thank you so much!!

[@albertdeboer1838]

I love these close ups. I am enjoying my planted tank with a certain Amphipoda species; I will have to observe it through a magnifying glass to confirm it and to enjoy it even more!

[@TheDave333]

Thanks for watching the video. My magnifying glass is always close at hand!

[@glassyGREEN_]

Wow, your footage is amazing. I love it

[@TheDave333]

Thank you very much!

[@aldenbobalden]

i've had my tank for almost five months now and had only ever seen copepods and rhabdocoela. i saw something in there that i'd never seen before; seed shrimp!!! that's so cool!!!

[@TheDave333]

Seed shrimp are very cool and you're more likely to see them in tanks that just have shrimp, and no fish.

[@gayefanner731]

Thanks for that info, I’ve been debating whether to get a separate tank for shrimps, now I’m decided 👍

[@susanstaples6171]

Oh thank goodness. Had a tough day. I need some The Dave therapy!

[@TheDave333]

Sorry to hear of the troubles. I sincerely hope that your situation improves. 😊😊😊

[@chisaquaticvibe6524]

Sandager's wrasse, blue moki, New Zealand black angelfish, New Zealand demoiselle, clown toado

[@TheDave333]

That's a big kettle of fish. . .

[@dominiqueperrin4257]

Bravo 👏👏 great videos once again. These little beasts are incredible 😮I wish I had some! Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us .😊

[@TheDave333]

You're very welcome, and thank you for always watching my videos and leaving a comment. 😊😊😊

[@dirtyoldfarmhand3]

Awesome

[@TheDave333]

Thanks

[@ainalmaas6719]

I had overpopulated seed shrimps in my shrimp tank and shrim fry seems to dissappear. Does sed shrimp attack fry?

[@TheDave333]

As far as I know, seed shrimp don't attack baby shrimp. The reason why the seed shrimp population exploded might be the same reason why the baby shrimp are disappearing? What's good for the seed shrimp might not be good for baby shrimp? Shrimp fry need lots of tiny foods like biofilm . . . It might be that the seed shrimp ate all of the food that the baby shrimp need, so there was not enough food for both of them. And seed shrimp are much more hardy than baby shrimp.

[@WhiteLily777]

i love these guys! thank you for the video!

[@TheDave333]

My pleasure - those seed shrimp are adorable!

[@slavalavi7865]

Maybe only one question i have after such full information. What do you think what is more useful for newborns daphnia or brine shrimp ? What do you prefer ? Thank you for answer

[@TheDave333]

If they're both just as easy to get, I would say that daphnia are better because they will survive in the aquarium until they're eaten. Baby brine shrimp die after a few hours. . . However, bbs are easier to get.

[@slavalavi7865]

@@TheDave333 Thank you. Very quickly

[@moonpleco5083]

Leaves, sticks , each is little world for many species for living and competition for dominance. Parthenogenesis is quite common in nature. Masters of immaculate conception are whipping (crying) geckos. Little tiny lizards, somebody brings home nice lady gecko and after not so long time discovers entire colony 🦎🦎🦎 in terrarium. Dave, do you consider make video about Paramecium caudatum?

[@TheDave333]

There are lots of tiny little worlds filled with tiny little creatures. I'd love to explore them all, but paramecium are a little too small for the equipment that I use. :-)

[@moonpleco5083]

I see .. yes, paramecium can be filmed under microscope only. This summer I'm going to catch some paramecium and setup colony in the jar. I have toy microscope but it magnifying only 200x, with traditional mirror under table, not LEDs. I will try to make a photo, afocal method - it's hard and challenging but cheap. Maybe I will put it on KZbin... however most hard issue is find and catch paramecium 🦠

[@TheDave333]

I'd love to buy a nice microscope someday and film things like paramecium. Pond water would be a great place to find all sorts of interesting creatures. Hopefully this channel will get huge and I'll earn enough money to buy one. . .

[@domsquaaa4323]

e

[@chisaquaticvibe6524]

The prawn is planting seed shrimp. Get it?

[@TheDave333]

I'm reaping what you're sowing.

[@HJ-pm2dx]

Great video, I learned a lot!

[@TheDave333]

Thank you so much.

[@Cleeon]

Life will always find a way, wow, i remember some Jurassic movie. Is there any possibilities that kind of seed shrimp disturbing or give some benefits to caridina colony in aquarium?

[@TheDave333]

I don't think the seed shrimp would cause any trouble for the shrimp. They might even be a benefit by helping them keep things clean.

[@Han.Eunjin]

What equipment did you use to film it? The resolution is so good!

[@TheDave333]

Hi and thanks for watching the video. I use a handicam and various macro lenses, there's a link to the camera in the description section beneath the video.

[@jannooosthuizen6588]

Amazing little creatures

[@TheDave333]

They really are! The smaller you go, the more interesting they get. 😊

[@BornAgainFarmGirl]

Very encouraging 😊, life will always find a way.

[@TheDave333]

Absolutely! 😊

[@ketchumifucan1130]

Thank you for sharing!

[@TheDave333]

My pleasure!

[@chisaquaticvibe6524]

What is your favorite pinniped/seal?

[@TheDave333]

Probably Leopard Seals due to their unusual aggression. but I feel bad for the other seals.

[@chisaquaticvibe6524]

@@TheDave333 Well, mine are the California and Steller sea lions.

[@sunilscorpy4594]

Fantastic info and video. Thanks so much. 👍❤😊

[@TheDave333]

You are so welcome! 😊

[@hippothehippo]

Where do they come from? I'd love to keep a culture of them, but even in tanks that have been running for years, I've never seen one. Do you need to obtain one to begin with?

[@TheDave333]

They occur naturally, but their numbers vary depending on the body of water. It's best to use a starter culture. Carolina biological supply sells them.

[@connorkim7306]

I'd recommend starting up a 'resurrection jar'. Basically gather some mulch from a nearby stream or pond and fill it up with water. These microorganisms are found in almost all bodies of water so the mulch you pick up will probably have some on since they feed off of the detritus that is in the water. Wait for a couple days/weeks and you will see either daphnias/ostracods/copepods start swimming around the jar. Make sure to oxygenate the water somehow some aquatic plants will suffice. Make sure there is dead organic matter to serve as the food source. Nonetheless it's really interesting to see what small organisms live in the water hidden from the naked eye.

[@х8х8л]

I found some fairly large (slightly larger than daphnia), yellow/orange ones in an abandoned flooded house foundation, and I've had them for two years now. And other small spotted ones in the lake. For some reason the smaller ones have pushed the larger ones out of the aquarium, so I keep the larger ones in separate containers.

[@deltaalphavictorecho8185]

[@TheDave333]

Hello 😊

[@chisaquaticvibe6524]

What do you call an invertebrate does sports? An athapod. Get it?

[@chisaquaticvibe6524]

@@TheDave333 No.

[@vascoamaral1841]

backkk finaly Love this

[@TheDave333]

Thanks 😊

[@EricaEscueta-mp7vh]

can seed shrimp and daphnia can live together?

[@TheDave333]

yes

[@ChrisT-O]

Amazing video, thank you 👏👍

[@TheDave333]

You're very welcome. 😁

[@MrGigi-dz9cv]

Life will allways find a way. Isn't it amazing ???

[@TheDave333]

Yes, it is. Always learning from mother nature.

[@vicgonzales9409]

Amazing!♥️

[@TheDave333]

Thank you! 😄

[@chisaquaticvibe6524]

Have you ever seen a redfin shiner before?

[@TheDave333]

Yes, but I prefer the Rainbow shiner. I need some of those!!!

[@sandradolbel2578]

So cool

[@TheDave333]

Thanks

[@galka0.114]

Love your video

[@TheDave333]

Thank you. I love making them.

[@sweetyluxmee3823]

do fish eat seed shrimp

[@sofiakaos5278]

yes

[@sweetyluxmee3823]

@@sofiakaos5278 are you sure my guppy fish don't eat why

[@sofiakaos5278]

@@sweetyluxmee3823 im sure they eat them, even if you cant see it.

[@TheDave333]

Guppies will eat them, if they can catch them! Seed shrimp are smart, and can sense the chemicals released by fish, so they tend to be a little more careful when they know there are fish around. Also guppies are built to feed from the surface, so they tend to be better at feeding from the top of the tank rather than the bottom.

[@sweetyluxmee3823]

@@TheDave333 thanks a lots

[@JohnSmith-youtube]

Best place/way to collect seed shrimp ?

[@TheDave333]

Fill an outdoor tub (the larger the better) with old water from an aquarium. Add some organic matter such as dried leaves. The more organic matter the better. Let the tub sit for at least a month in full sunlight. The tub will soon grow seed shrimp, mosquito larvae, daphnia, dragonfly / damselfly larvae, and bloodworms (midgefly larvae). Watch out for dragonfly and damselfly larvae, because they will eat your fish. Use an aquarium net to sift out the small aquatic creatures that will eventually appear. Then, find the seed shrimp. They will show up in aquariums from time to time, but mostly in aquariums that don't have fish in them. The outdoor method is much more reliable.

[@Lee90000]

freshwater ponds. I get seed shrimps and daphnia in my tank no matter what.

[@king2288]

can seed shrimp kill daphnia ?

[@TheDave333]

Anything is possible, but I don't see why they would bother. I'm not sure they could eat them.

[@Sea-cucumber1151]

What type of camera do you use?

[@TheDave333]

There's a link to the camera in the video description section.

[@richardreynolds9896]

Incredible video!

[@TheDave333]

Thanks!

[@-at_sign]

I have leaved the comment 🤓

[@TheDave333]

Me too 😁

[@chisaquaticvibe6524]

Have you heard of an Asian redtail catfish? It looks nothing like its South American counterpart.

[@TheDave333]

Never heard of them. Wish I had space for a redtail catfish!

[@Chompchompyerded]

@@TheDave333 Almost need a whole river for an adult one of those. It needs to be somewhere warm too. A mile or two of the Missouri River up in Montana won't do it, because it freezes solid most winters. It's just not an appropriate environment for tropical fish.

[@bubblerings]

What!?!???? I thought my daphnia magna had parasites... No!... The water conditions must have become unfavorable, and the females were making those egg cases... -because a week or so later, the culture crashed, and almost all of them died. Beginner mistake! Thx for the video lesson! ⚡🎈⭐😁

[@bubblerings]

Wow... I can sift the eggs from the mulm.. And, dry them for a few days, and hatch them, once again, Cool! 🍀😍

[@TheDave333]

Daphnia are true survivors, incredible creatures !

[@Berburusiput]

🤔

[@TheDave333]

😁

[@sonnguyen-rg9zu]

#oligochaeta

[@meorawaluddin1843]

Epam

[@chisaquaticvibe6524]

What do you call an invertebrate that learns martial arts? A karatapod. Get it?

[@TheDave333]

This is a good one, Karatapod. Ha Ha. it's better than the one about sports.

[@chisaquaticvibe6524]

@@TheDave333 I took karate classes when I was younger, and now I'm doing it again.

[@TheDave333]

That's awesome. I'd love to get into the martial arts. . . I love the Taoist approach to life and I'd really love to visit Japan someday. ❤❤❤

[@pattiespetitetanks6181]

Snails….some snails do this too

[@TheDave333]

I love snails . . . 😊 Much easier to film than seed shrimp and daphnia, and far more graceful

[@loisskinner4736]

*promosm* 😄

[@TheDave333]

😎

[@bettaaquatiks2604]

Impressive Video Sir!!! Well done!!👏👏👏👏👏👏 Is there a way to contact you via email?

[@TheDave333]

Yes - [e-mail]