Cleaner Shrimp Having Babies

[nanokid]

Hey yall i got a cleaner shrimp that has lasted in my tank for about 2 months now and Its having babies. Little neon green dots underneath her but the funny thing is it dosent have a mate to have babies. Does cleaner shrimps have to have a guy cleaner shrimp to have babies?

 

[30-xtra high]

yes, they're basically hermaphrodites, if you get 2, and they happen to be two of the same ---, then one changes. since you don't have a male the eggs won't get fertilized, if you go get a male,or female, it doesn't matter cause one will change, these eggs will still die, but the next batch and you'll get some babies.

 

[triga22]

Thats neat!

 

[nanokid]

so extra 30 high i know what you are saying about them dieing this time but do you mean the next time when my cleaner shrimp has babies some well accually live or do you mean they well live if i get another cleaner shrimp?

 

[fishrule]

Originally Posted by NanoKid
so extra 30 high i know what you are saying about them dieing this time but do you mean the next time when my cleaner shrimp has babies some well accually live or do you mean they well live if i get another cleaner shrimp?
Only if you get another cleaner shrimp.
If your next batch hatches, their chances are very likely they will get eaten by other tank inhabitants. Not to be a bearer of bad news or anything.

 

[nanokid]

no no thats not bad news im just learning more. I didnt want more than one cleaner shrimp anyhow but it would of been pretty cool to see them in the tank running around but i think one of my little ocellaris would want a taste of one lol.

 

[scsinet]

I have a pair that regularly spawns in my big reef, and none of the fry ever survive, unfortunately.

 

[nanokid]

That stinks. Why do they never last besides tank members will eat some but what are some other reasons why they wont live.

 

[nanokid]

today I was looking at my shrimp and she still has the eggs on the underside of her but it looks like she is picking at them and im not sure if shes grabbing the eggs but after she looks like she grabs them she takes them to her mouth. :scared: Is she eating them?

 

[bang guy]

Originally Posted by 30-xtra high
yes, they're basically hermaphrodites, if you get 2, and they happen to be two of the same ---, then one changes. since you don't have a male the eggs won't get fertilized, if you go get a male,or female, it doesn't matter cause one will change, these eggs will still die, but the next batch and you'll get some babies.
Close, just a minor correction.
All Cleaner Shrimp species (Lysmata sp.) mature with both sets of --- glands. The eggs are fertilized immediately after they molt and they are able to fertilize other Shrimp any time other than just after they molt.
As a result, if you have 2 Cleaner Shrimp, you will usually see both of them carrying eggs.

 

[highcottn1]

can we see some pics