I'm trying to figure out the details of the Opae lifecycles. I've had my 10 ordered shrimp for 10 months now, and I've only had a few females berry eggs (whether it was the same shrimp, I don't know), but I believe they dropped their eggs. The past month, I've had two females berry at the same time, but I think one might have dropped them (or at least I can't find her in my 3 gal tank with decent decor). But the other day, I counted 11 adult shrimp! So that means some of the previous eggs must have hatched and matured, or at least one did. So I have some questions.
I know gestation of the eggs lasts about a month, but how many eggs, on average, make it to maturity? And if they hatch, do most make it to adulthood in capitivity? If my one did, I'll take it that's good, but I want to know if there's something about my tank that is preventing more from hatching and maturing. Also, how small are the larvae? Are they small enough that I might not find them unless I really look? What happens to the eggs that drop? Do they just get reconsumed? Does it take some time for the young adult shrimp to get their red coloring? I think I can identify the hatchling since it looks a bit smaller and is pretty clear colored, but i'm not sure if that means anything.
Thanks!
Lifecycle Questions
Moderator: Mustafa
Re: Lifecycle Questions
As an update, a bunch of the shrimps hatched and I counted 17+ offspring! I'm not sure if these came from one female or both, but I also managed to witness a couple of them hatch before my eyes! Very exciting and I'm glad everything worked out eventually.
Re: Lifecycle Questions
I don't have an answer about the mortality rate but my shrimp are berried fairly often, and my tank isn't overrun with them. They spend a lot of time in the substrate, so aren't always visible.
Just released baby shrimp float around in a vertical orientation. They are capable of self-propulsion but in an uncoordinated manner. The red yolk sac is easily seen with the naked eye, but I keep a magnifying glass next to my tank in order to see details like the tiny red spots in what will become the tail section. The photo was taken with a macrolens.
When the yolk sac is consumed, the baby is finally able to swim horizontally. My baby shrimp usually take about 3 weeks to develop into miniature versions of the adults.
Just released baby shrimp float around in a vertical orientation. They are capable of self-propulsion but in an uncoordinated manner. The red yolk sac is easily seen with the naked eye, but I keep a magnifying glass next to my tank in order to see details like the tiny red spots in what will become the tail section. The photo was taken with a macrolens.
When the yolk sac is consumed, the baby is finally able to swim horizontally. My baby shrimp usually take about 3 weeks to develop into miniature versions of the adults.