Ghost shrimp carrying eggs I want to save

[kimmisc]

In this 5g hex currently there is 1 sparkling gourami, 1 small mystery snail, 2 ghost shrimp (one of which is carrying about 5-6 lime green eggs above her swimmerets. I tossed a bunch of fake plant pieces in which are floating at the top of the water. I don't have a sponge for the filter intake. If I move the gourami to another tank, probably the 29g would be best but he'd still end up fighting with the gourami in there.

I'm wondering if they would stand a better chance in a breeder net in my 29g. Are the babies too small to be held in by a breeder net? Should I just remove the net and use it around the filter intake in the 5g?

[kimmisc]

Pic of tank she's in right now..

[jtburf]

They will not mature because they need a system of brakish... down to salt in scales.

[pixl8r]

They will not mature because they need a system of brakish... down to salt in scales.

The vast majority of Ghost shrimp sold in N. America are Palaemonetes paludosus. They are 100% fresh water and do not require any degree of salt water to mature. As a matter of fact the almost have no larval state at all. When the young hatch, they are larval, but with their first molt they become tiny versions of their parents. This happens within 24 hours after they hatch. The larva don't require any special foods, such as green water.

There are times that fish shops do sell species labeled 'Ghost Shrimp' that require brackish water to mature, but not very often.

[jtburf]

hmmm. okay then thanks for correcting me. Now i know.:clap:

[kimmisc]

While I was posting this thread, she was apparently releasing the eggs/babies, because she only has 1 green ball left. She's purched up on the plants near the water surface. I hope the filter doesn't get the babies.

[kimmisc]

How long does it take before they are strong enough to swim instead of just float in water current?

[Hooked Newbie]

In this 5g hex currently there is 1 sparkling gourami, 1 small mystery snail, 2 ghost shrimp (one of which is carrying about 5-6 lime green eggs above her swimmerets. I tossed a bunch of fake plant pieces in which are floating at the top of the water. I don't have a sponge for the filter intake. If I move the gourami to another tank, probably the 29g would be best but he'd still end up fighting with the gourami in there.

I'm wondering if they would stand a better chance in a breeder net in my 29g. Are the babies too small to be held in by a breeder net? Should I just remove the net and use it around the filter intake in the 5g?

You might want to try taking a media bag and placing it on your intake tube.

[pixl8r]

How long does it take before they are strong enough to swim instead of just float in water current?

If there are no predators about, they will begin searching around the tank very soon. If they feel scared they will stick to the bottom and hide in plants.

[kimmisc]

There is the sparkling gourami in there. He isn't very hyper, so there is a slim chance some babies might go unnoticed, but if he spots one, it'll be dinner. I wish I had somewhere safe to move him but I don't. :(

[kimmisc]

Unless they're too tiny to see at all, I don't think they're in there anymore. I will be better prepared next time I see a female carrying eggs.