YES, THEY ARE MYSIDS... however they differ from other "mysis" on the market in two distinct ways:

"The notoriously finicky Copperband butterfly fishes just love MYSIS"

Ingredients:

• MYSIS (Mysis relicta)...100%
• Guaranteed Analysis:
  • Min. Crude Protein............69.5%
  • Min. Crude Fat...................8.35%
  • Max. Crude Fibre...............2.75%
  • Max. Ash..............................5.5%
    
    1. What is mysis?
    Mysis relicta is a freshwater species of the Opossum Shrimps. Mysis are not a true shrimp though they do closely resemble and are, in fact a primitive relative of the shrimp found in the oceans. The title Opossum comes from the fact that the adult females carry their young in a brood pouch until fully developed.
    
    Mysis are native to glacial lakes on the East side of the continental divide, and are a true glacial relict (hence the name relicta). As the polar ice cap pushed southward during the last ice age, it carried pockets of salt water and the marine ancestor of the present mysids. When the ice receded, it left newly created lakes complete with shrimp that evolved into the form present today.
    
    More recently, man has increased the range of this species by transplanting it to lakes across the continent. Mysis is not native to British Columbia and was introduced to at least twenty lakes there from the late 1940's and through to the early 1980's. Given the negative impact mysids exert on zooplankton communities and Kokanee, it is thought that their removal may be beneficial to the ecosystem.
    
    Mysis are considered a part of the zooplankton, the small invertebrate animals found in all lakes that feed on microscopic algae (phytoplankton) as well as other zooplankton. In turn these organisms form the basis of the food supply for many fish.
    
    There are however, two major differences between Mysis and the other zooplankton typically found in lakes. First, Mysis have a longer lifespan. The typical zooplankton, composed of animals known as copepods, cladocerans and rotifers, live anywhere from only several days to several months. In our lakes, populations of these animals may complete a number of generations in the course of a year. Usually they become very abundant during the summer months and very sparse during the winter.
    
    Mysis on the other hand, usually live two years. Adults breed during the winter. The young are carried in the brood pouch until late spring or early summer when they are then released to grow for another year and a half before they breed and complete the life cycle.
    
    The second difference is size. Mysis range in size from newly released young of about one-eight inch to adults of up to 3/4 inch. The other zooplankton are normally much smaller ranging from one one-hundredth to one tenth of an inch in total length.
    
    It is the size of the Mysis that makes them of interest as a fish food.The picture shown here is magnified several times with the tip of a small skewer as a reference. Because they are much larger than the zooplankton that fish normally feed upon, they are an excellent food item. Fish that consistently feed on Mysis grow much faster than those feeding strictly on the other smaller zooplankton. Mysis are extremely high in nutritional value and are salt free.
    
    2. Where does it come from?
    Okanagan Lake, British Columbia, Canada
    
    3. Can any fish use it?
    Mysis are an excellent food source for all freshwater and marine fish and induce a vigorous feeding response even in the most finicky aquarium species.
    
    4. Is there a minimum order? No, you can order 1 package if you prefer. We do have quantity price breaks at 5 and 10 packages and it's more economical to purchase several to help offset the shipping and box charge.
    
    5. How do I store it?
    Shrimp should be stored in a freezer at 0 degrees Fahrenheit or colder for optimum shelf life. It is very important to take only what you plan to feed to your fish and return the rest immediately to the freezer to avoid letting the remainder of the package thaw.
    
    6. What if it arrives thawed?
    We guarantee all shipments for quality on receiving. If you get a package that is thawed, please do not use product until you contact us so we can determine if it's usable.
    
    7. Is it harmful in any way?
    Mysis is not harmful. As with all food, it is important not to overfeed as it will cloud the water under these circumstances.
    
    8. How do I use it?
    Mysis can be fed to fish in frozen chunks or poured into the tank after thawing. Please remember not to overfeed as too much food may cloud the water. Only feed what your fish can eat in two or three minutes. If clouding (lake biomass) is of concern, rinse mysis under cold running water.
    
    Click Here For an excellent method of properly thawing your Mysis Shrimp before feeding.

    
    
    9. How long will MYSIS keep in my freezer?
    We have been told of mysis remaining in good condition in a freezer for up to two years. However it is essential that your freezer be 0 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. Usually a chest freezer is required for this.
    
    10. Are MYSIS available live?
    Not at this time. However many species which normally accept no other than living fodder will accept MYSIS eagerly. See our feedback section.
    
    11. What size are MYSIS?
    MYSIS are about the size of adult artemia shrimp. The size varies, but most mysis are under one half inch in length.