Porto-Franco City

Amidst the high salinity of the water in the Kuyalnik Estuary, there is a notable proliferation of brine shrimp – a unique freshwater crustacean that has adapted to harsh conditions. This species plays an essential role in the estuary's ecosystem and is a valuable biological resource.

This information was shared on the official Facebook page of the National Park "Kuyalnik".

Who inhabits the estuary

Brine shrimp (Artemia) is a unique freshwater crustacean from the family Artemiidae, emerging around 100 million years ago. It can survive in extreme saline environments. The elevated salinity requires the shrimp to expend significant energy to eliminate excess salt, but the absence of predators, especially fish, gives it a considerable advantage. With an abundance of food sources such as bacteria and microalgae, brine shrimp can thrive in large numbers, forming significant accumulations along the shores of the Kuyalnik Estuary.

The Kuyalnik Estuary is home to a special species – Artemia parthenogenetica, or parthenogenetic brine shrimp. Its uniqueness lies in its ability to reproduce without males: females produce eggs or larvae (nauplii) without fertilization. This allows brine shrimp to rapidly increase their population and exploit available food resources. When environmental conditions deteriorate, female brine shrimp produce dormant or "resting" eggs that can survive winter and endure freezing or drying. In spring, when conditions become favorable, new larvae hatch from these eggs, which reach sexual maturity in two to three weeks and continue to reproduce.

Due to its unique properties, brine shrimp has become an indispensable live feed in aquaculture. Brine shrimp larvae are widely used to feed young fish and shrimp. The National Park “Kuyalnik” emphasizes that brine shrimp is an important biological resource of the estuary that requires protection and rational use, as this species plays a key role in the ecosystem and is foundational for the development of aquaculture.