BOTH cleaner shrimp carrying eggs!?!?

[Anonymous]

About 5 days ago, I noticed that one of my skunk cleaner shrimp had eggs. Cool... Today, the other shrimp is carrying eggs too. Huh?!?! I know they're hemaphroditic, but the first is still carrying eggs so.... Someone please 'splain to me.

Wandell...?

 

[Anonymous]

It's actually very common, they can self fertilize.

mario

 

[Fastmarc]

I wish my peppermint would self fertulize.
I have lots for them to munch on.

 

[danmhippo]

I believe peppermint actually do as well.

 

[Fastmarc]

So if you have one shrimp, it could multiply?
Didn't know that.

 

[Anemone]

No, they can't "self-fertilize." They can, however, wear either hat (and apparently store sperm for an extended period of time). They "get prego" when they molt - so if you have two (or more) shrimp, whenever one molts, it will most likely end up with eggs....

FWIW,
Kevin

 

[K9coral]

Pretty cool, Do you have any pics?

 

[Anonymous]

Sounds like your shrimp are into a gay marriage alternative lifestyles kinda thing. Not that there is anything wrong with that.

I sure would like my peppermints to propogate! Even if the young end up as nutritional snacks for other tank residents.

 

[Anonymous]

Say you have two shrimp.

Say one is female, we'll name her 'Chris' and the other is male - 'Pat' (we'll not worry about minime's assumptions right now. I believe in don't ask, don't tell with my pet's sex lives.)

Chris gets preggers. You'll see her carry her eggs for a little while.

Eventually, she drops them. coincidentaly, the Pat molts.

Pat gets preggers next, and Chris is "wearing the pants of the family"

When Pat drops her eggs, she gets to do the fertalizing next time.

Repeat, repeat, repeat.

Kinda cool that you don't get to fertalize the eggs untill you've had a batch of your own. . .

B

 

[Anonymous]

Actually, if Pat molts Chris can fertilize Pat even while Chris is still carrying eggs. In addition they can store sperm for a couple/few months in case the other isn't in the mood at the right time

 

[K9coral]

ROFL

 

[Anonymous]

So, you used Chris and Pat, because both names can be either male or female? :lol:

FWIW, I have 2 cleaner shrimp, and they are constantly "planktoning" the tank with their babies! It's very cool!

~wings~

 

[Anonymous]

Here I am!

What they said

I've seen it before too. Good news!

 

[Oceans Ferevh]

yeah my cleaners were constantly knocking each other up. They're buisyer then a couple of sailors on shore-leave I swear.

 

[Anonymous]

So, you used Chris and Pat, because both names can be either male or female? :lol:

Almost. I was picturing SNL characters mating. . .

However, another shrimp question.

Can I successfully house 2 cleaners and 1 pepermint in the same 20 gallon. I really want to get 2 cleaners, and my pepermint kicks arse against the dreaded aptasia in my tank.

So should I wait untill I get more rock? I've only got 12 lbs or so in the 20.

B

 

[Anonymous]

However, another shrimp question.

Can I successfully house 2 cleaners and 1 pepermint in the same 20 gallon. I really want to get 2 cleaners, and my pepermint kicks arse against the dreaded aptasia in my tank.

So should I wait untill I get more rock? I've only got 12 lbs or so in the 20.
B

You sure can, no problem.

mario

 

[Anonymous]

GDawson posted the following comics: