Storing Excess Frozen Shrimp

[Azaeil]

I was finally able to get to the store today and snag a packet of frozen brine shrimp from the store for all my bettas. Needless to say they loved it, even Osel, my blind boy, went after one of the three I put into his tank within five minutes versus the hour he normally takes if the food isn't popped right into his mouth. Kalli on the other hand, got so overexcited she lunged after the tweezers and actually latched her jaws around a tine for a moment (I only bring them close enough to quickly release the food into the water and withdraw them before the fish snap) - she's fine though and ate normally after that ¬.¬ such a pig, but Mavenna's the worst one with eating as she's currently floating in a vertical alignment eyeballing the surface for more tasty shrimp.

Alright, my question then, now that I have more than enough left over to feed the guys for almost a week - How do I properly store the excess shrimp? I've currently got them in the water they were thawed in and contained in a wax dixie cup. Said cup is covered with seran wrap and held closed with a rubber band and thus stored in the back of the fridge. Is there a better way to store them for quick use at each meal or am I doing it the right way?

About Gasen - my butterfly(?) blue/white marble - I've noticed that he's lost color in his fins, going almost pure white. He's perfectly healthy and active as far as I can see, appetite's normal. I'm just wondering is this typical of a marble to 'bleach' out like this? His image from when I got him can be seen here - http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/341235-the-family-group/


Another idea I've had with when I set up the tanks eventually is - how good an idea is it to have a shrimp or two share the divided tanks with small gaps in the dividers for them to comfortably scoot from one section to another, large enough for the shrimp, but too small for a betta to get through easily and placed say where a plant is in the way to foil a betta's determination to defend his territory? If this idea is ok, what shrimp would be suggested as a tank partner for the bettas? I've heard people mention them, but not the specific types.

 

[keithp]

With the frozen brine shrimp I cut part of the cube up that I need, and put the rest of the frozen cube back in the package, and use the rest next feeding time. I think once they are thawed you cant re-freeze them again. I never tried though I thought they would spoil.

 

[Azaeil]

Hmm, alright I'll figure out how much I'll need for my group.

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

I agree; cut the block up into smaller sizes. Or if you have slightly too much leave it in a container overnight in the fridge; it should be fine. Any longer and it's definately not suitable for consumption

 

[carp]

I have never had a problem with refreezing my brine shrimp before the pack is open but would like to make a suggestion. Tweezers seem to be hard to work with maybe an eye dropper would be better. The best container I have found for storage has been the small plastic containers used for 35mm film. There is a frozen shrimp in the stores called gum drops I find them very convenent.

 

[Azaeil]

I wish I could easily nail an eyedropper but I couldn't find any at a local grocery store. I sniffed the shrimp just recently before I fed it to my fish - having worked at a restaurant I know what bad shrimp smells like, even if they look like triops without their shells.

I use a pair of small tweezers and using a pocket of water that forms when the tips are close enough I'll snag a shrimp or two and dip them into the water - it's worked for me and provides some minute grasping exercise.

I tried a syringe once and it was awkward plus it shot the shrimp out too fast for the fish to spot before it hits the bottom.

 

[keithp]

I put the shrimp on a toothpick and plop it in front of my bettas, seems to work most of the time.

 

[Azaeil]

Hmm, the toothpick idea is valid, but I'm worried for Kalli with her enthusiasm.. She's already latched onto the tweezers once, I'm worried she'll hurt herself in trying to bite the shrimp off before I have a chance to get it off the toothpick.