Hatching clutches into a breeder box

laurenrocksth

laurenrocksth

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Jun 24, 2008
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Milford, NH
My purple bridgsii clutch is (I think) ready to hatch. I have been incubating it according to MsJinkzd's method of keeping it in sealed container floating in the tank.

I plan to raise the babies in my 10g QT but would like to hatch them into a breeder box first. I there a special way of doing this?
 
I gently crumble the clutch into the breeder box. You can also float it on a piece of craft mesh attached to the top of the box and let it hatch on its own, I am never that patient.
 
How do you know when to crumble it?
 
after 8 days or so it goes through a pretty dramatic color change. You can see the trapped air/or the baby snails, not sure which it is. The clutch goes from looking pinkish to almost blue/grey in color, often referred to as "moldy". At this point, I think its safe to crack them open. Usually within a day of noticing this dramatic color shift, it hatches on its own if left.
 
I crumble the clutches when I notice some eggs turned moldy white with blue spots which are their snavels. If some snails still stick on the eggshells, I swish it around. Some babies are now in my breeder box and I notice they're growing faster than when they are in the main tank.
 
WOAH!!!!!

I just crumbled the egg sac about 20 mintues ago and there's probably about 300 snails in my breeder box right now. There already moving around. Won't they crawl out if the slits in the side of the box?

Also, can I just throw some kens catfish sticks or snail jello in there or is there a special food for them?
 
No, they shouldn't. The design done prevents even the fry from doing so. The hatchlings will eat anything just fine. Just vacuum leftovers.
 
Should I start feeding ASAP or do they need time to chill out first?
 
I give them 24 hours (i usually drop the crumbled eggs into the box) before I offer food. Then they don't require special foods, just smaller amounts and at least 1-2x daily.
 
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