Daphnia superfood: soy protein powder

Several months ago, I tried supplementing the food I use for Daphnia with soy protein powder. I immediately noticed an increase in the growth rate of the culture. I hesitated to post this information, as I wanted to wait for a while and see if the better growth was just a random fluctuation of the culture (Daphnia are notorious for random fluctuations in population). I am happy to report that the improved growth rate has continued.

In the past, I did use soy flour in the food mix I give my Daphnia. It works OK, but doesn't seem to make much difference one way or the other, compared to other powdered foods. Note that soy flour is not the same thing as soy protein powder. Soy protein powder is sold in local grocery stores in the section where they sell nutritional supplements (vitamins, Power Bars, etc), not baking goods.

My food mix for Daphnia now consists of dissolved dry yeast, algae powder, and soy protein powder. I don't normally measure the ratio that I use (I just sprinkle into a jar of water), but I'll try to measure the amounts the next time and post up a recipe.

Interesting find Jen, thanks for sharing. I'd be interested in a recipe!

Nice to know, thanks for the info, Jen! I'll definitely give this a try. So far I have been raising daphnia on yeast powder and liquid algae concentrates.

Here is my recipe. All measurements are very approximate.

1 cup water
1/2 teaspoon dry yeast
1/4 teaspoon spirulina powder
1 teaspoon soy protein powder
In a jar, sprinkle the yeast over the water and let it sit until the yeast sinks. Then add the other powdered stuff and shake vigorously. Store unused portion in the refrigerator.

I have Daphnia two tubs, probably about 10-15 gallons in each. I feed each tub with 1/4 to 1/2 cup of this mixture, the amount depending on whether there are a lot of daphnia, or not so many. I don't feed them again until the water is completely clear, usually 1-3 days, depending on the population status.

I just noticed that the soy protein I've been using is well-fortified with all kinds of vitamins and minerals. Some recipes for Daphnia food suggest adding a vitamin-mineral pill to the mix, so maybe these supplements have some benefit.

Hello

i'm cultured Daphnia, in a 2 plastic box, of 15 litres. Stay in the sun.
My food for Daphnia consists in Spirulina ( i take this in the supermarket for human dietetic use..) and died part of vegetals....


Bye!

Hi jen, My local health food shop HOLLAND & BARRETT sells pure soya protein isolate powder, is this the same thing? and spirulina tablets would these work the same as powder if crushed up.

http://www.hollandandbarrett.com/pages/product_detail.asp?pid=822
but you have to watch out for Arnold versions of Daphnia - they might beat up your newts

Hello, I have my spirulina and soy protein powder on order, thanks for the information! My daphnia will be grateful too!

Maybe nothing really, but it might be a tip for someone - feed your daphnia first, wait 10-20 minutes, and then collect daphnia for your fish/newts. That way daphnia is "gutloaded" with high protein feed.

If they like milk and Soya could I feed a tiny drop of Long Life Soya Milk to them?? Its has vitamins & calcium in it.

Has anyone tried using Whey Protein? I was at local Natural Food Store and picked up a few packets of different proteins.- ALL ONE - Green Phyto Base- Whey Protein- Rice, Pea & Soy Protein- Plain Soy ProteinI am going to try each one, currently I have 6 different culture's of Daphnia going. I'm interested in see which yields the fastest/ largest growth rates, increase in population, and how the newts go after them.I've been using a fry (Baby fish) food that comes in powder made by Sera. The fry I have raised on this stuff have had a nice growth rate. But I am having a hard time finding this stuff. Ed

Very valuable information. I shall have to play with this.