Zooplankton net: an essential tool for collecting live microfauna
What is it?
A zooplankton net is an extra-fine mesh net (less than 200 microns) designed to capture the smallest animals: artemia or daphnia nauplii, cyclops, etc.
Long net (30.5 cm), synthetic mesh and therefore rot-proof and easy to disinfect. The slightly angled handle makes it easier to sample just below the surface or in shallow water (tank, trash pond, pool, puddle).
More practical than artemia filters or sieves: you collect directly from the environment without having to transfer water.
Why use it in natural aquaristics?
- Precise collection of live zooplankton to feed fish and fry.
- Dedicated mesh: lets impurities, bacteria, infusoria, and microalgae pass through, retains useful prey (nauplii of artemias and daphnia).
- Hygienic and durable: synthetic mesh, resistant and easy to disinfect.
- Versatile: aquarium, trash pond, pools, ponds... even a puddle!
Who is this zooplankton net for?
- Aquarists who raise and collect live plankton.
- Breeders to feed fry with natural prey.
- Educational projects: observation of zooplankton invertebrates with a magnifying glass and microscope.
- Naturalists and microfauna enthusiasts.
Usage tips
- Sweep slowly on the surface and in calm areas. Proceed gently to avoid stirring up deposits on the bottom. Several short passes are more effective than one long one.
- Rinse the mesh over a container to transfer the catch.
- Distribute immediately to fish or fry or observe your catch (magnifying glass or microscope).
- Rinse the entire head of the zooplankton net with clear water after use. Disinfect if needed.
FAQ - Zooplankton net
What mesh to capture plankton?
Less than 200 μm: it retains artemia or daphnia nauplii, cyclops... while letting fine particles and bacteria or infusoria pass through.
Fresh or salt water?
Both. Rinse the mesh well after saltwater to avoid transferring salt during subsequent uses and prevent clogging of the mesh by dried salt or corrosion of the handle.
How to clean it?
Rinse with clear water after each outing. Disinfection possible (rot-proof synthetic mesh).
Can I feed directly from the net?
Yes: rinse over a cup then pour the catch, or pipette to dose finely.
Difference with a "classic" net?
The extra-fine mesh is made for microfauna. A classic net, even a fine one, would let these prey slip through.
Additional information
- Type: long zooplankton net.
- Size: diameter: 7.3 cm. Total length: 30.5 cm. 200 micron mesh.
- Use: sampling of zooplankton such as nauplii of daphnia or artemias and other prey larger than 200 microns.
- Tip: use with gentle and slow movements to avoid lifting deposits from the bottom.
- Indicative weight: 8.5 g
- Recommendation: Rinse the head of the zooplankton net and the sieve well after each use.
