brine shrimp

brine shrimp

noun

Definition of BRINE SHRIMP

: any of a genus (Artemia) of branchiopod crustaceans that can exist in strongly saline environments

First Known Use of BRINE SHRIMP

1836

Rhymes with BRINE SHRIMP

rock shrimp

brine shrimp

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Brine shrimp (Artemia salina)—Douglas P. Wilson

Any of several small crustaceans (genus Artemia) inhabiting brine pools and other highly salty inland waters throughout the world. A. salina, which occurs in vast numbers in Great Salt Lake, Utah, is commercially important. Young brine shrimp hatched there from dried eggs are used widely as food for fish and other small animals in aquariums. Up to 0.6 in. (15 mm) long, the brine shrimp's body has a distinguishable head and a slender abdomen. It normally swims upside down, and it feeds primarily on green algae, which it filters from the water with its legs.