How to Manage Larvae from Day 0 to 15: Rotifers, Lighting, Water Quality, and Density
Uses a stage-based checklist to organize observation priorities for the first 15 days of larval rearing, avoiding treatment of lighting, live feed, and water quality as separate issues.
Bottom line
During the first 15 days, observe lighting, rotifer supply, water quality, and density as one system. Adding live feed without considering lighting or water quality can easily turn one problem into the next.
Scope
This guide is for keepers who have completed larval collection and are entering early larval management. Day-to-day changes differ among varieties and systems, so this is an inspection framework—not a fixed calendar.
Workflow
- After hatch, first confirm that larvae can school and recognize food, then arrange stable lighting and shading.
- Maintain continuous supply of early live feed such as rotifers, separating culture water with a mesh screen before feeding.
- Record feeding, swimming, surface response, leftovers, and water-quality changes every day.
- Gradually assess whether conditions support introducing next-stage live feeds such as brine shrimp; do not make abrupt switches.
- As the metamorphosis window approaches, prioritize environmental stability and monitor density and waste accumulation.
Why use this approach
Early larvae have limited energy reserves, and both feeding and environmental adaptation rely on stable conditions. Written observations help distinguish insufficient food from lighting problems or pressure from water quality and density.
Risks and exceptions
Reference ranges cannot replace on-site observation. If larvae settle on the bottom in large numbers, spin, refuse food, or suffer abnormal losses, stop mechanically copying a workflow and inspect temperature, salinity, airflow, lighting, and live-feed quality.
Lao Qiu Fish Room notes
The fish room reviews the hatch night, early first feeding, and periods before and after metamorphosis separately. Abnormalities in the same batch must be tied to a time point to create a chance to improve the next batch.
References
Lao Qiu Fish Room practice and curated references.
Related questions and records
Should larvae be fed brine shrimp as soon as they hatch?
Early first feeding usually centers on suitably sized rotifers. Introduce brine shrimp gradually based on larval size, condition, and the current live-feed plan.
Is brighter light always better?
No. Lighting should support schooling and feeding. Light that is too dim or overly intense can both cause problems, so adjust according to larval response.
Continue from records or a related problem
Record the conditions of your current stage first, then move to the next step related to this page.
Explore the Hatch Logbook's recording approach