If you’ve ever fed fish or aquatic frogs, you’ve probably heard of brine shrimp. These tiny orange crustaceans are packed with protein and often used to feed baby aquatic animals. But if you’re caring for a salamander, especially one that lives in water, you might wonder if brine shrimp are a good choice.
Yes, salamanders can eat brine shrimp. They’re soft, high in protein, and small enough for juvenile or aquatic salamanders to eat easily. Brine shrimp are especially useful for larvae or hatchlings that are just learning to feed.
What Are Brine Shrimp?
Brine shrimp are small aquatic creatures that live in salty water. They’re not insects or worms but tiny crustaceans. Artemia salina, the most common species used in aquaculture, is well adapted to harsh hypersaline environments.
You’ll usually find them sold as live food, frozen blocks, or freeze-dried flakes.
Live brine shrimp are the most appealing to young salamanders because they swim around and trigger natural hunting behavior.
Frozen ones are convenient and clean. Freeze-dried shrimp last the longest but aren’t as nutritious unless they’re soaked first.
They’re rich in protein and very easy to digest. That’s why they’re a favorite for raising fish, frogs, and baby amphibians.
The nutritional value of brine shrimp can vary depending on how they’re cultured and what they’re fed.
Which Salamanders Eat Them?
Brine shrimp are ideal for salamanders that live in water or go through an aquatic larval stage.
They’re especially helpful during the early stages of life when young salamanders are too small to eat bigger prey.
Some common examples include:
- Axolotl hatchlings
- Tiger salamander larvae
- Spotted salamander larvae
- Juvenile newts
Some adult aquatic salamanders may eat brine shrimp too, but most prefer larger prey once they grow. Research on aquatic larval feeding mechanisms shows that brine shrimp are most useful in the first few weeks of life.
Why Brine Shrimp Are Helpful
Brine shrimp are easy for young salamanders to catch and swallow. They don’t have hard shells, and they float or swim just enough to attract attention.
This makes feeding time more natural for larval salamanders, which are naturally carnivorous and start feeding on small aquatic invertebrates shortly after hatching.
They’re also safe. When raised in clean water, they’re free of parasites or chemicals. You don’t have to worry about them biting or hurting your pet.
Best of all, they help with growth. The high protein content supports tissue development during a critical stage of life.
How to Feed Them
If you’re using live brine shrimp, strain them through a fine net to remove the salty water before feeding. You don’t want to add saltwater to a freshwater tank.
Gently pour or drop the shrimp into the tank where your salamander can see them.
For frozen brine shrimp, thaw a small portion in clean water. Never feed them frozen. Let them reach room temperature before offering them.
If you’re using freeze-dried shrimp, soak them in water for a few minutes to soften them. Dry shrimp can cause bloating or digestive issues if swallowed too quickly.
Only offer a small amount at a time. You want your salamander to finish the food within a few minutes so nothing sits in the water and starts to rot.
Are They Safe for Land Salamanders?
Not really. Brine shrimp are meant for aquatic use. Terrestrial salamanders won’t respond to them, and the shrimp will just sit and spoil if they’re not eaten.
Land-dwelling species like fire salamanders or woodland newts do better with crawling prey. Earthworms, small crickets, or fruit flies are more suitable choices.
So if your salamander lives on land, skip the brine shrimp and stick to ground-based food.
Any Risks to Watch For?
Brine shrimp are safe when handled correctly, but there are a few small concerns.
Don’t add salty water from a brine shrimp culture into your salamander’s tank. Even a little salt can affect water quality.
Avoid overfeeding. If shrimp are left uneaten, they’ll start to rot and cause water problems.
Brine shrimp are also not a complete food by themselves. They’re great for a few weeks, but salamanders need variety as they grow. Adding other foods helps round out their nutrition.
Some keepers gut-load brine shrimp before feeding them. This means feeding the shrimp nutritious food so that the salamander gets even more benefits from each bite.
The FAO guidelines on Artemia nutrition provide detailed information on how to enhance the nutritional value of brine shrimp through proper preparation.
Good Alternatives to Add Later
As your salamander grows, you can start mixing in other foods. Brine shrimp are great at the start, but larger prey will eventually be needed.
- Bloodworms
- Blackworms
- Daphnia
- Microworms
- Feeder fish for larger aquatic adults
Earthworms and insect larvae are good choices once your salamander is big enough to handle chunkier food.
Conclusion
Yes, salamanders can eat brine shrimp, especially when they are young or live in water. Brine shrimp are soft, easy to digest, and full of protein, which makes them ideal for hatchlings and aquatic juveniles.
Just make sure they’re clean and properly prepared before feeding. While brine shrimp are great early on, they should be part of a wider feeding plan as your salamander grows.
Hi, my name is Ezra Mushala, i have been interested animals all my life. I am the main author and editor here at snakeinformer.com.