Risc-the pressure is on

[d. digler]

Now I know who the go-to man is on this forum for questions with my Bamboo-Hate to put the pressure on you like that but...
So yesterday I got a real good close up of my egg. I bought it about 2 months ago and the guys at the LFS told me it should hatch within the next 1-2 months. It has definately grown since then, and almost appears to be busting at the seams. So my first question is how long do these things usually take to hatch? I also noticed the small clear little microbes running around all over the outside of it. Any clue as to what those could be???
Any feedback is appreciated!

 

[risc]

Bamboo eggs can take as long as 5 months to hatch. The generally hatch about the time the egg reaches about 6 inches. The egg with not break open or have any visual signs of fracture. In fact when a bamboo hatches it pushes it's way out one of the side seams and after it makes it's way out the egg seals itself back up again. Your shark may very well hatch and be hiding in your tank for days before you even notice him because the egg never changes shape, size, or weight after it hatches. Anything around the outside of the egg sac is just part of its general life cycle. Many different things can appear or be attached to the sac and will not affect it.
Jim

 

[novice150]

So the eggs grow as the shark matures? Is that correct? Another Q, when do they start breathing the water? In other words does the baby shark take its first breath the day it hatches? Or do they draw in water through the egg?

 

[risc]

Yes the eggs grow as the shark matures. They breathe water as soon as they break open the egg casing.
Jim

 

[del]

Sorry to butt in on this post D, Novice, Risc, but had to ask, don't the Bamboos or anyother egg borne fish/shark breathe water inside the egg, and aren't the eggs filled with water and the yolk sac ??. just curious, since this would be my first egg to hatch as well, all of my other Bamboos were already hatched.

 

[risc]

Del: Yes they do have water inside the egg casing as well as a type of yolk sac. Water does not enter the egg casing, rather the oxygen is exchanged from the plant like materials that surround the egg. It enters the like piggybacked on this and allows the shark to breathe once it has matured enough. As for water in the tank, it isn't until it breaks open the egg. That is also why their breathing is very harsh and rapid. They will also appear to choke when they leave the egg, which could happen for anywhere from 30 seconds to 10 minutes. Until they have become accustomed to the different enviornment.
Jim

 

[del]

RISC, about how long or large is the juv shark when it would normally hatch, Is it a good idea not to have the egg in strong light, I understand they should be in some kind of current is this correct?, would it be subject to harm from the larger somewhat aggresive fish or do they immediatly go into hiding. Appreciate your input..

 

[risc]

Del:
If you are referring to juvenile bamboo sharks, they are between 5 to 7 inches when they hatch. On rare occasions when you see them at 5 inches, that is because the incubation process has been sped up. That can be done by raising the temperature in the tank to about 82 degrees, but isn't a recommended thing to attempt. The egg should stay in normal aquarium conditions away from strong currents. If you stick the egg in a direct path of a strong current it could blow all over the tank. I have a hollowed out rocks in my bamboo tank where I place the eggs so they are untouched for the most part. If you view my web page www.geocities.com/risc_x/fish.html the 3rd picture is a bamboo egg sitting in a such a rock. You may also notice a little blue devil damsel taking shelter underneath it. Angels will sometimes pick on the shark eggs as will blennies/mandrins. It is recommended that you try and keep the egg as secluded as possible, because you have no idea what's going on with it at night. Also another point to make is that you should always keep the bamboo egg in the aquarium you want it to live out its early life in. Only an expert elasmobranch keeper should attempt to hatch them in a smaller system and then move them after birth. This can massively affect the psycological aspect of your shark and from the stress related to it, it may starve to death.
Bamboo sharks are an easy target for some aggressive tank mates. Angels, damsels, other sharks, to name a few. They will not grow any 'balls', so to speak, until they get much more mature. Usually around 15-20 inches. Then you will see them fight back and snap at annoyances. No stress is critical to the infant life of your bamboo. If it experiences even the slightest form, it could easily be a one way ticket to a dead shark.
Jim
Jim