Fish nutrition is probably aquarists' biggest challenge next to maintaining water quality. And that's true for both freshwater and marine fish. Individual aquarium species diet requirements probably begins with understanding what category the fish nutritionally fits into, i.e., carnivores, herbivores, or omnivores. Then what type feeder it is, i.e., shy, bold, finicky, secretive, open water, surface, bottom feeder, live foods only, and/or nocturnal. Once that is resolved, various foods and feeding methods can be determined more appropriately.
Of course, the composition of the food, i.e., its protein, carbohydrates, lipids (fats), minerals, and vitamin content is also a factor as each provides certain health benefits. With protein and lipids the more important factors, mysis shrimp become a valuable foodstuff that can be fed our fish, whether they are freshwater or marine.
These small crustaceans, Mysis relicta, are an excellent freshwater shrimp. In the wild, they make nightly vertical migrations from about 360 feet to the surface to eat, then return downward at daybreak. These migrations require enormous amounts of energy, which is stored as animal fat. Because of that they are a highly nutritional food source as they contain large quantities of naturally occurring fatty acids (Stearic, Palmitic, Oleic, Omega3 and Omega6 to name some). They are also very high in protein (about 70%) and are an excellent food source and a favorite of most fish.
It is important, 'very important' to look for a product that contains 'whole' specimens when thawed, because pieces of mysis shrimp leach their valuable fatty acids into surrounding water. Mysis also contain little in the way of sodium making it easier for the marine animal to maintain their osmotic balance. Many years ago I asked Marc Weiss what brand he would choose and he said 'Piscine' because they are whole specimens and in his opinion, the finest brand available. They have been my choice ever since!
Please visit their website at www.mysis.com where you can learn more about this nutritional foodstuff, and the correct way to thaw these frozen shrimp so they remain whole when feeding to your fish.
Bob Goemans