Re: Daphnia

Hans Martin Hanslin (hansmh@sn.no)
Mon, 26 Aug 1996 00:11:49 +0200

>FROM: Ken Cusson <ken@casadyg.com>
>
>A while ago there was a thread on this subject and there was some ideas
>about where to get these 'creatues." Can anybody advise as to where
>these little guys can be purchased? I have given up trying to find
>them around here ... everybody treats there water (ponds, lakes, etc.)
>out of fear of mosquitoes. It is my understanding that if you have
>enough of these critters they can handle the algae that builds up in
>the Utric tanks ... right?
>

You should try to get Moinia macrocarpa (a Japanese species). This one is
much easier to culture than daphnia species (at least most of the European).
They require less space, tolerate higher temperature and are easily feed
with a yeast-suspension.

Daphnia are filter-feeders and would probably clean your tanks for "green
water", but they do not (as far as I know) remove algae or blue-green
bacteria growing on plants.

If you can get in touch with any local fish- or aquarium societies, they
usually have cultures of daphnia and would hopefully share with you for
free. At least they should know where you can get them.

Kind regards
Hans M Hanslin, Trondheim, Norway