Fairy Shrimp

Fairy shrimp (Eubranchipus vernalis) at a vernal pool in upstate NY.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• fairy
• shrip
• eubranchipus
• vernalis
• vernal
• pool
• pond

[hbatcheller]

Yes, this was taken in the wild. Fairy shrimp naturally require vernal pools, which are ponds that periodically dry up completely, and therefore have no fish. They're fairly uncommon even in vernal pools, so I was glad to find them. :-)

[SlimTwisted]

That is very interesting. Where did you find this pool? I'm from New York and while there are some vernal pools, there appears to be very little life to speak of (water fleas, tadpoles, leaches). I would also love to check out any additional footage of the pool that you might have taken. Great work!

[hbatcheller]

Thanks! The pool is in Rensselaer County, NY. And yes, some vernal pools are loaded, and others are nearly "dead", seemingly. If you have Wood Frogs, there's a good chance you'll have Spotted Salamanders, too, so keep your eyes out! Where in NY are you?

[hannuhmontanuh]

I just found a vernal pool in march out by my house in the middle of the woods by a park, and I live in detroit. Kinda wierd, Id never expect one to be there.

[SlimTwisted]

I'm in Erie county (just South of Buffalo). Knowing that this footage came from a NY pool, I'll have to keep a much closer look.

I have indeed encountered various slamander species (spotted, striped, mud puppies, and newts) but fairy shrimp have eluded me. Maybe I'm just not looking hard enough!

I do have a nice colony of them in an aquarium though- hatched from eggs I ordered from Thialand ;)

[SlimTwisted]

Not bad- judging by the look of things, this shrimp is swimming in the wild? What kind of environment (climate) do fairy shrimp thrive in naturally?