Cleaner Shrimp's Black Belly

[Delphinus]

It is really neat to see a release. In my experience it always happens shortly after lights-out, or just shortly before. You can hardly see them but you can tell something's up because the fish will be going nuts chasing food. They're instantly recognizable as little shrimp, unfortunately (at least in my experience), if you have any aspirations to try raising the fry you have to be quick to siphon them out because they will be eaten up in a matter of minutes.

[Mikey B]

Now the second shrip is loaded with eggs....must be something in the water

I saw a few eggs still stuck to the first "mom" when she did a little swim around the tank tonight....they are light green.

Too cool

Mike

[G1GY]

You must have more than just the two of them in there then?

[Mikey B]

Just the two of them in the tank. Both with eggs.

They have been in the tank about a month.

Mike

[Quinn]

They are hermaphrodidic.

[Delphinus]

Originally Posted by G1GY

You must have more than just the two of them in there then?

Nope they are simultaneous hermaphrodites. In short they are both boys AND girls. You only need two. Any two.

It is interesting to watch how they do "it." It seems that there is only a short window of opportunity following a molt. When I had a group of 4, it would be like an orgy. One would molt, and then suddenly the others would literally descend on it, then frantic circling and darting around .... then next day the molted shrimp would be egg laden.

[EmilyB]

I am pretty sure now that larger groups of shrimp act differently. I've had four cleaners for a long time, and three hang out in the cleaning station. One is off on it's own. Whether it is the same one.....I don't know. I do know I might see a dark shrimp for a bit but they send it packing soon.........

[G1GY]

Nope they are simultaneous hermaphrodites. In short they are both boys AND girls. You only need two. Any two.

This I didn't know! (I knew that they where hermaphrodites, but thought that they stayed in the same role until they needed to change because of a lack of breeding partners.)

In my tank it's always the same shrimp that's carrying eggs. (I know this because all my critters wear name tags!)

I learn something new everyday.

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

Gigy,

Are the name tags stickys or pin ons?

Anthony

[G1GY]

Originally Posted by SeaHorse_Fanatic

Gigy,

Are the name tags stickys or pin ons?

Anthony

I staple them on very quickly to avoid stressing them!