Cleaner shrimp laying eggs??

Discussion in 'Inverts' started by JayTropical, Jan 21, 2010.

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  1. JayTropical

    JayTropical Purple Spiny Lobster

    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2009
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    Location:
    LA Ca
    i noticed my cleaner was full of what looks to be eggs in his underbelly, i saw him pulling some out and placing them on a rock.

    anyone have any input on this? is it possible to hatch these suckers? cleaners are expensive where i live.

    here is a picture i took yesterday.
    [​IMG]
     
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  3. 2in10

    2in10 Super Moderator

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    No those are for locomotion. They are like mini legs or oars.
     
  4. Dingo

    Dingo Giant Squid

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    those are eggs... brown = unfertilized, green = fertilized
    shrimp are hermaphroditic and can fertilize their own eggs. They will be released into the water column one night after the shrimp carries them for about a week. A lot of people have tried very hard to raise cleaner shrimp... the longest documented survival of a shrimp prolarvae that i am aware of was to 43 days.
    Most become fish food or else skimmer juice... so be happy that your fish are getting a free meal and that your shrimp is happy :)
     
  5. JayTropical

    JayTropical Purple Spiny Lobster

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    Location:
    LA Ca
    Well that's good news if it means he is happy :), and I sure don't mind the free food.