Cleaner Shrimps

[kevchev515]

I think i'm lucky enought to have a mating pair of cleaner shrimps. When they hatch they will be a nice snack for the inhabitants. I've heard that raising these little guys are difficult and i'm not even prepared to raise babies. Just wondering, how long does it take cleaner shrimp babies to hatch?

Thanks

 

[NoriMuncher]

I can guarrantee that you do have a mating pair! They are hermaphroditic - each has both male & female equipment, and they take turns. What happens is, each gets pregnant shortly after shedding, gives birth in about two weeks (this can vary greatly). Keep watching - in another week or so the other one will get pregnant too, leaving you scratching your head

. They grow and turn green before hatching - they hatch after dark I believe and I've never seen them. I considered trying to raise them, did the research, and it seems to be almost impossible even under lab conditions. They go through several stages, needing different foods and environment in each(and some stages are poorly understood). Makes you wonder how they survive in the wild.