Baby Ghost Shrimp on the way?

[jamzwayne]

I noticed one of my larger shrimp having what looked like lil eggs undere her tail. I got a real good look and she was olding em with her lil "swimming fin things" (the ones they use to swim with - dont know what they are called).

I hope they make it.

[Dangerdoll]

that's pretty cool J.... I always thought ghost shrimp wouldn't lay eggs in FW but more and more I'm hearing that they do..... my fingers are crossed for ya hs!

[jamzwayne]

I am excited. I hope they make it.

[OrionGirl]

What kind of filters and powerheads are in the tank? The eggs will hatch into a free floating, planktonic stage, drifting around in the water and eating plankton and other tiny food bits. Powerheads and power filters are harsh--chop-chop suey. Most fish will slurp them up as well, if they can see them. If you move the female into a tank with some java moss, and an airstone, then remove her when you no longer see the eggs, you'll be more likely to have success.

[jamzwayne]

What kind of filters and powerheads are in the tank? The eggs will hatch into a free floating, planktonic stage, drifting around in the water and eating plankton and other tiny food bits. Powerheads and power filters are harsh--chop-chop suey. Most fish will slurp them up as well, if they can see them. If you move the female into a tank with some java moss, and an airstone, then remove her when you no longer see the eggs, you'll be more likely to have success.

Thanks for the info. Like I said..I am very excited about this..I want them to make it.

[Must4ng s4lly]

I have a bunch of adult amano shrimp with eggies too! I will try to catch a couple and see if they will grow.... Some of the shrimpies have a lot under their tails....

[jamzwayne]

I have a 10 gallon with nothing in it but live plants, and a small bio-filter.

Do you think I should put them in there till they are big enough to go back to my 55?

[OrionGirl]

Yep--otherwise, just about any small fish will nip at them, and the adults will cannibilize them, even if well fed, IME.

[Timmain42]

I have a bunch of adult amano shrimp with eggies too! I will try to catch a couple and see if they will grow.... Some of the shrimpies have a lot under their tails....

Don't amano spawn require brackish conditions to survive the first couple of months? I ask because I read that somewhere... and I'm curious to find out if it works, because I have 5 different females that spawn every month or so, but I never have any babies.

[OrionGirl]

From what I've read, amanos need either harder water, or brackish water. I've haven't found anything that indicates if it's the NaCl of brackish water, or just the elevated 'other' trace elements that they need--specifically, increased KH.

Of course, if there are fish in there, they will be chowing down on the hatchlings.

[Must4ng s4lly]

I may clear out my five gallon (has two puffers) and put them (the shrimp) in there. I have very hard water (8.6) and can add a little bit of salt to it if need be....

[RTR]

The Ghost Shrimp with planktonic offspring are very hard to raise - typical of feeding difficulties for such critters. Those with fewer, larger eggs typically settle out quickly and are quite a lot easier to manage. Post hatch use a flashlight in a darkened room to check for the fry.

BTW, the swimming legs are called "swimmerets". ;)

[blitzen25bm]

try putting them into something with a lot of green water. thats what i do with my crayfish i put them outside in tubs with water so green you cant an inch down, then i check on them about 2 weeks later and they grow fast.

[jamzwayne]

I got home yesterday with my 3 three new Oto Cats, and the eggs were gone.

:sad

Better luck next time I guess.