How to culture daphnia
The Ultimate Live Food for Breeders
Daphnia are filter-feeding crustaceans that make excellent live food for both adult fish and large fry.
What You’ll Need:
Clear container or shallow tub (5–20 gallons)
Dechlorinated water
Daphnia starter culture
Light source
Green water or spirulina mix
Steps:
1. Add culture to aged, aerated water
2. Keep outside or under full-spectrum light
3. Feed green water or spirulina every 1–2 days
4. Remove uneaten food to prevent crashes
5. Harvest daily using a fine net
Water Conditions:
Temp: 65–75°F (room temp fine)
No filter required
Gentle aeration recommended
Related Guides
- The ultimate guide to culturing daphnia for aquarium fish
- Why are my daphnia dying? Diagnosing and fixing a culture crash
- Daphnia for fish: feeding bettas, fry and community tanks
- Daphnia vs baby brine shrimp: which live food is better?
- Scuds vs daphnia: comparing two staple live foods
- Buy a live daphnia culture for bettas, fry and freshwater aquariums