Cleaner shrimp babies- just sharing

LetItReef · Apr 13, 2015

I noticed that one of our Cleaner shrimp have a greenish coloration on her belly and for the past weeks about three times laid babies I saw tiny shrimps (NOT pods) floating in the tank after lights out. I wish I can catch this Cleaner to save some but I did not, although the greenish coloration are still visible, maybe I can still some babies? My Fishes and Corals for sure are having a buffet! I could not snap a pics since they are very small.

Trex · Apr 14, 2015

Very very difficult to raise them -- not sure of any hobbyist that is actually doing it.

From my years ago,

Full of eggs, notice the green --- not ready to be released.

Close up

Close to being releases -- can notice the color change in the eggs,

Released,

Close ups

SeahorseKeeper · Apr 14, 2015

That's pretty cool. Trex thanks for sharing your pics.

hybridazn · Apr 14, 2015

That's awesome, great pics!

Shep · Apr 14, 2015

How would you raise them?

knightnsd · Apr 14, 2015

I think it would be neat to see them grow but think every filtration system is the end of most spawnings, my shrimp and ruby dragons often spawn but the filter socks and pumps seem like 100% birth control. I've heard some people are raising clams and even crossing the varieties and making hybrids for colors but releasing the eggs and sperm into the water and having them settle into some type of sand-bed or collection system doesn't seem practical for most hobbyists, they have some type of lagoon setup for things to settle into a sand-bed and find adequate micro foods, I don't think it is feasible for most of us. It would be nice to see it done commercially and make collection from the ocean less of an issue as it seems like a hot-topic already that threatens the industry.

Trex · Apr 14, 2015

SeahorseKeeper said:
That's pretty cool. @Trex thanks for sharing your pics.

hybridazn said:
That's awesome, great pics!

Thanks guys. I was lucky with the timing -- happened to have the camera out at the right time.

The clowns had a field day eating them all.

LetItReef · Apr 14, 2015

Cool pics! Thanks! by the size of the babies, yes I think it is very difficult, few elements to watch out for- like mentioned here, the filtration, plumbing and if fishes on the tank it will become a meal. It was exciting seeing our Cleaner shrimp released/releasing babies.

LetItReef · Apr 14, 2015

Trex said:
Very very difficult to raise them -- not sure of any hobbyist that is actually doing it.

From my years ago,

Full of eggs, notice the green --- not ready to be released.

Close up

Close to being releases -- can notice the color change in the eggs,

Released,

Close ups

Very nice capturing these. Thanks for sharing!

knightnsd · Apr 15, 2015

cool pics, I noted mine is full of eggs as well but doubt the clown and wrasse in the fuge will leave anything behind and they would meet the pumps sooner or later anyway, guess you may be able to capture them and put them in a brine shrimp hatcher to keep them alive bu feeding them may be tough. Awesome pics though, guess I know where mine are headed since there is a clown and scott's wrasse in the fuge that could not get along in the main tank and are in protective custody now

revhtree · Apr 15, 2015

Very cool! Has anyone else ever experienced this?

KoleTang · Apr 15, 2015

@Trex I remember hearing that it is difficult the rear them, but what is the reason? I'm assuming it is because the larvae stays in a pelagic form for an extended period of time?

Would Martin A. Moe Jr.'s urchin rearing setup apply at all? (He talks about it somewhere in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CqgIIQn0Mo)

TarHeelReefer22 · Apr 15, 2015

Happens in my tank almost once a week I have four skunks and four blood fires with countless peps so I am not sure who is who but my sump is full of babies at a decent size...

Bongo Shrimp · Apr 15, 2015

It has been done but only by a few, determined and patient people. The larvae do have a long pelagic stage. A very VERY long one, as in about 120 days. That means they have to be kept in a kreisel setup for 120 days and constantly fed enriched foods such as copepods or brine shrimp nauplii (a mix is best). Then you also have to keep the kreisel clean, which is sometimes difficult especially with a DIY setup depending on the style.

I plan to work with these guys and have gotten blue coral banded shrimp larvae to 57 days in a DIY kreisel but it's not easy at all.

knightnsd · Apr 16, 2015

Bongo Shrimp said:
It has been done but only by a few, determined and patient people. The larvae do have a long pelagic stage. A very VERY long one, as in about 120 days. That means they have to be kept in a kreisel setup for 120 days and constantly fed enriched foods such as copepods or brine shrimp nauplii (a mix is best). Then you also have to keep the kreisel clean, which is sometimes difficult especially with a DIY setup depending on the style.

I plan to work with these guys and have gotten blue coral banded shrimp larvae to 57 days in a DIY kreisel but it's not easy at all.

very cool information, neat to hear the true details of someone trying it, I just figured the attempt was tough in a normal setup with trying to isolate them and feed them but the long larval stage makes it far more difficult.

LetItReef · Apr 16, 2015

Bongo Shrimp said:
It has been done but only by a few, determined and patient people. The larvae do have a long pelagic stage. A very VERY long one, as in about 120 days. That means they have to be kept in a kreisel setup for 120 days and constantly fed enriched foods such as copepods or brine shrimp nauplii (a mix is best). Then you also have to keep the kreisel clean, which is sometimes difficult especially with a DIY setup depending on the style.

I plan to work with these guys and have gotten blue coral banded shrimp larvae to 57 days in a DIY kreisel but it's not easy at all.

Thanks for the info. My plan is to catch the Adult cleaner and isolate them in a separate tank but with your findings, has to be a Kreisel set-up or maybe something similar shape tank.

Tabasco1 · Apr 16, 2015

Not sure about the rules of posting links to other forums, so apologies in advance and feel free to take edit.

Mofib (Marine ornamental fish and invertabrates breeding)
Marine Ornamental Fish & Invertebrate Breeders Associate

Has alot of great information. Was on there cruising around recently and it doesn't look like there is much recent activity, but still great information.