Daphnia Moina Cysts

Moina (Moina sp.), commonly known as miniature Daphnia, are small freshwater crustaceans widely cultivated as a highly nutritious live food for aquarium fish, fry, and other aquatic organisms. Moina resting eggs, commonly referred to as cysts or ephippia, are produced under specific environmental conditions and can remain dormant until favourable conditions return. These eggs offer a convenient way to establish live Moina cultures without the need to transport live organisms.

Each order will contain a vial that has approx. 250-350 Moina Cysts

Moina are particularly prized for their small size, rapid reproduction, and excellent nutritional profile, making them an ideal live food for newly hatched fish fry, nano fish, and breeding aquarium fish.

At Brine Shrimp Factory, all products are quality guaranteed and batches are regularly checked for consistency and quality.

Moina – Approx Nutritional Specs (Dry Weight Basis):
Crude Protein: 50–70% // Crude Lipid: 12–27% // Carbohydrate: 5–15% // Ash: 5–15% // Moisture (Live Moina): >90%

Note: Nutritional values refer to Moina biomass rather than dormant eggs and vary depending on diet, species, and culture conditions.

Recommended Hatching Instructions

To successfully hatch Moina cysts, you will need high-quality Moina resting eggs, a clean freshwater container, dechlorinated water, gentle aeration, a light source, and a thermometer. Unlike brine shrimp, Moina hatch in freshwater and do not require salt.

1. Hatching container preparation

• Use a clean, transparent container (1–5 litres).

• Fill with aged, dechlorinated freshwater.

• Provide gentle aeration and moderate lighting.

• Allow water temperature to stabilise before adding cysts.

2. Optimal hatching conditions

• Temperature: 24–28°C.

• pH: 7.0–8.0.

• Use freshwater with low to moderate mineral content.

• Provide 12–16 hours of light daily.

• Sprinkle cysts onto the water surface to hydrate.

• Avoid feeding until Moina begin hatching.

• Do not add salt.

3. Hatching and harvesting Moina

• Moina may begin hatching within 2–7 days under suitable conditions.

• Newly hatched Moina appear as tiny, free-swimming organisms.

• Once hatched, feed small amounts of green water, microalgae, or diluted yeast.

• Allow populations to establish and reproduce for approximately 5–10 days before harvesting.

• Harvest using a fine mesh net and rinse with clean freshwater before feeding to fish.

• Maintain a portion of the population for continuous reproduction.

Store Moina cysts in a cool, dry, dark location in an airtight container. Avoid moisture, direct sunlight, and extreme temperatures. Follow any batch-specific storage instructions supplied with the eggs.