How to know are my Rotifers still alive?

[marcosnano]

Hello reefers,

I faced a setback when my clownfish larvae, 12 days old, died to a heater failure. Despite this, I'm gearing up for a new attempt with a hatch expected tonight. I've saved some old rotifers in jar in the fridge for 5 days, but they seem less active now. Can they still be fed to the larvae even if they're not moving at all? They are not on the bottom of the jar or glass, they are still in water column but not actively moving and swimming in random directions like before.

I also ordered a new rotifer culture last week, but the shipment from a reputable wholesaler is delayed by 6 days :/

Thanks

 

[SaltBabies]

if they are in the water column they are probably still alive but easy way is to feed them. They will either multiply and clear the water or they won't.

 

[Max Ohm]

I have a 10x Jewelers loupe that I use to inspect my rotifers. Put some feed in there after they've warmed up a bit, then inspect a sample, if there is little bits of green inside them when they are swimming in the water column, they are alive!

Provided you keep the water volume low enough you can raise a million of them if you keep at it with even just like 50 rotifers.

As a side note I only order from Reed Mariculture. That way I can get rotifer's and RG complete at the same time.