Amidst the high salinity of waters in the Kuyalnik Estuary, there is a notable increase in the population of brine shrimp – a unique freshwater crustacean adept at surviving extreme conditions. This species plays a crucial role in the estuary's ecosystem and serves as a valuable bioresource.

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

Who has appeared in the estuary

Brine shrimp (Artemia) is a unique freshwater crustacean from the family Artemiidae that has existed for approximately 100 million years. It can survive in highly saline waters. The elevated salinity forces the shrimp to expend significant energy to remove excess salt, but the absence of predators, particularly fish, gives it a considerable advantage. When there is an abundance of food such as bacteria and microalgae, brine shrimp can proliferate massively, creating large aggregations along the shores of the Kuyalnik Estuary.

The 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 multiply rapidly and exploit food resources efficiently. When environmental conditions deteriorate, female brine shrimp produce dormant, or "resting," eggs that can withstand freezing or desiccation. In spring, when conditions become favorable, new larvae develop from these eggs, reaching sexual maturity within two to three weeks and continuing to reproduce.

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