cherries with eggs?

[LiLangeL181]

questions: (probably for beviking since he is omnipresent! hehe)
I think one of my cherries is carrying eggs. does that mean they have already been fertilized and Ill have shrimpies (aka baby shrimp) or does a shrimp carry unfertilized eggs and hope there is a boy shrimp around? about how long is the gestation period? right now the eggs are clear, does that mean anything? I know they should get darker. about how many shrimpies are born in a typical 'litter'?

way too many questions I know, but I was SO EXCITED :dance: when I noticed them! thanks!

[beviking]

Well...I just happened to check in once in a while :)

The way I understand it (which may/may not be with Cherry Shrimp, you just put them in a tank and they reproduce :huh: ) is the "saddle" seen on the backs of the females is a cue to the males that she is "ready". Males deliver the sperm to the females (which is held externally?) in a gelatinous packet and is used to fertilize the eggs as they move from the ovaries to the "brood chamber" where you see them (under the tail).

I don't believe they carry eggs under their tail if they are not fertilized.

Gestation will vary with temperature but an avg. would be 3-4weeks. I don't know the avg. litter, again, temp, feed, age/size of the shrimp all have a roll. My guess is 30-50. I've seen others write up to 100 and under adverse conditions only a dozen. Honestly, I'm not that eager to count them. My guess is based on size of eggs and clutches I've seen.
The eggs are typically yellow. If they were recently deposited, they could be clear but they should get yellow.
Don't worry, there will be plenty more to follow!

:D

[LiLangeL181]

do the eggs slow a shrimp down? I came back from class to find my ramshorn snail (aptly named speedy) having 'shrimp cocktail'. horrified I immediately moved the 1 remaining shrimp from the fry tank to the 12g where he and his companion shrimp are flourishing. the irony is that the number of predators (including a filter intake) in the 12g doesnt seem to effect them, as they hang out in the open even when the lights are on. why is this? they had lots of java moss to hide in in the fry tank.
<-- is confused :(

[beviking]

I imagine the eggs slow them down to an extent but they still get around just fine. No, your snail has/had no chance of catching/killing a shrimp.
They hang out in the open because they are comfortable, they don't feel threatened.
There is some other reason for the death in the fry tank.
What type of "predators" are in the tanks?
I have near full grown pearl gouramis, smaller (1/2 grown) angels, and adult cardinal tetras and there are always cherry shrimp out and about.

[LiLangeL181]

the only thing in my fry tank are young guppy fry, the occassional pregnant mother, 'speedy' the ramshorn snail, and common pond snails that hitchiked in on my java moss. it is 2 or 2.5 gallons (I cant remember), hexagon, acrylic, with an air stone.

:huh: is it possible that speedy did it or was there just a sudden problem with my shrimps? O well, from now on they all live in the big tank! hopefully they will breed while Im am out of town :)

thanks,