Algae Shrimp Pregant, How Long For?

[micko]

Bought 30 more algae shrimp last tuesday to add to the 8 I already had. One of which, a new one, seems to be pregnant. How long are they usually pregnant for? They're in a tank with molly fry at the minute. Maybe this would be a good excuse to set up my new fluval flora.

 

[coldcazzie]

As far as I know, Neocaridina heteropoda eggs develop in the saddle, then move to the abdomen, and from then it's around about 4 weeks until the shrimplets emerge. However, they're so small you usually won't see them until they're about 3mm long, which is usually another 2-4 weeks ish. It can be quite unnerving - you start to worry that they've all been eaten, and then a couple of tiny ones appear! You should make sure to have moss - they love it, and it's great for the shrimplets to live in until they're big enough to be out in the wide world

 

[micko]

Thanks cazzie, I can see the eggs inside her, easy to spot on an algae shrimp. Would moving the shrimp to a shrimp only tank cause her to loose the eggs? I've read somewhere that if a pregnant one is moved she can drop the eggs. Not sure how true that is though. I have plenty of moss and wee caves so hopefully I'll see something in the weeks coming. Didn't think it would be so long they carried them for.
Thanks again

 

[the_lock_man]

I thought Algae Shrimp were Caridina Multidentata, aka Amano Shrimp, Japonica Shrimp, Algae-Eating Shrimp?

Isn't Neocaridina heteropoda Red Cherry Shrimp? I know they eat algae too, but I didn't think they were called algae shrimp?

 

[coldcazzie]

Pretty sure micko has the wild colouration of Neocaridina heteropoda, if he has bought via the classified section on here and it's the ad I'm thinking of... The red/yellow colouration is mad-made. Naturally, they are transparent with red/yellow tints.

This is the problem with not using scientific names.

However, you could be right, and if they are Caridina multidentata or Amano shrimp, then how long they incubate eggs for is irrelevant because without brackish conditions the young won't develop.

micko: she may lose the eggs, or she may not, but if she does it won't be long before there are more - they are prolific breeders!

 

[the_lock_man]

Pretty sure micko has the wild colouration of Neocaridina heteropoda, if he has bought via the classified section on here and it's the ad I'm thinking of... The red/yellow colouration is mad-made. Naturally, they are transparent with red/yellow tints.

This is the problem with not using scientific names.

However, you could be right, and if they are Caridina multidentata or Amano shrimp, then how long they incubate eggs for is irrelevant because without brackish conditions the young won't develop.

That's where I was leading up to, I just wanted to check what species it was before jumping in feet-first! I don't like to contradict someone who clearly has oodles more experience than me.

 

[coldcazzie]

Pretty sure micko has the wild colouration of Neocaridina heteropoda, if he has bought via the classified section on here and it's the ad I'm thinking of... The red/yellow colouration is mad-made. Naturally, they are transparent with red/yellow tints.

This is the problem with not using scientific names.

However, you could be right, and if they are Caridina multidentata or Amano shrimp, then how long they incubate eggs for is irrelevant because without brackish conditions the young won't develop.

That's where I was leading up to, I just wanted to check what species it was before jumping in feet-first! I don't like to contradict someone who clearly has oodles more experience than me.

Haha, I don't know about oodles!

You're right, it is a big issue - either people have no idea what they've got, or they don't know what the scientific name is, or they can't be bothered to write it or something, I don't know. It happens a lot on sale ads, and it's a pita! in this case though, I'm about 99% sure micko has Neocaridina heteropoda so no worries!

 

[micko]

Thanks for the help.
I'm no good with scientific names, never have been and couldn't remember how to spell then let alone say or write them. They were labelled as algae shrimp. I bought them from a LFS, well, not that local. I'll phone them up and see if I can get a scientific name. They're sold as freshwater and the shop is on the big list of three shops I will only buy livestock from across the whole of Northern Ireland.

 

[the_lock_man]

What size are the adults? C. Multidentata are much bigger than N. heteropoda

 

[coldcazzie]

What size are the adults? C. Multidentata are much bigger than N. heteropoda

Yes they are.

I assumed you'd bought from the classifieds, serves me right for assuming!

If they're from a shop and are simply labelled as "freshwater" then they're likely Amanos/C. multidentata which get around 2 inches long, whereas N. heteropoda only get an inch long max.

 

[micko]

Right, I got through to the shop, finally. They are Neocaridina heteropoda. They are various sizes but none are over an inch.
Thank god for that.

 

[the_lock_man]

Right, I got through to the shop, finally. They are Neocaridina heteropoda. They are various sizes but none are over an inch.
Thank god for that.

In that case, what Cazzie said first off!

 

[coldcazzie]

Right, I got through to the shop, finally. They are Neocaridina heteropoda. They are various sizes but none are over an inch.
Thank god for that.

Hooray! bring on the shrimplets!

 

[micko]

Thank god. Thought I was going to have problems there.

Right, off to college. First day, new course. Aaaaaaargh

 

[coldcazzie]

Right, off to college. First day, new course. Aaaaaaargh

You'll be fine! just remember to keep the procrastination monster at bay! (something I'm failing at today! )