Can brine shrimp live without an air pump?

No, brine shrimp cannot live without an air pump. They are filter feeders and need a continuous supply of oxygenated water to survive. Because brine shrimp live in saltwater (which has a high density) and do not have particularly strong swimming capabilities, they need the water to be continually moving to facilitate respiration. They draw in food through their legs, filter it, then expel it. An air pump creates water currents by bubbling air through the water, moving the food and helping the shrimp breathe. Without an air pump, the brine shrimp would not be able to get enough food or oxygen and would eventually die.