Amano Shrimp (Caridina multidentata)

[Gobies et al]

Last spring, I successfully raised 14 of these shrimp. Recently, I decided to make another attempt to see if that was just a fluke and try and improve the number surviving.

Two berried females were isolated in a 5.5 gal tank in freshwater. After their eggs hatched and zoae released, the females were returned to their original home tank. Brine was added to the tank with the zoae to increase the salinity to 1.017. They are being fed phyto and spirulina. It has been only 1 week, but they are growing!

Pictures: the maternity tank, 2 berried females, 1 of the females following birth and subsequent molt, brackish nursery with the minuscule zoae, 2 zoae floating

[Gobies et al]

We're at day 41 now. There was a nitrite spike at ~ day 19 and lost most of the larvae. Overfeeding was the likely problem. There are a few larvae remaining and I spotted a shrimplet (has morphed from the larvae stages) today. New shrimplets are transparent and very difficult to see. The last larval stages are orange/red color.

Pictures:
#1 - day 35 - larva in bent shape, feeding in the water column; + + algae present on the tank sides
#2 - day 35 - larvae on the right, airline tube on left
#3 - day 41 - larva in the normal head down position, ~ 4mm size, green is algae on tank bottom

[fish4fun]

Looks great...so how many did you end up with?

[Gobies et al]

There's at least 5, maybe as many as 10.

There are still those to morph to shrimplet form and then there is transferring from marine to freshwater conditions. It's a lengthy process and plenty can go wrong. Last time, I transferred 32 to freshwater and 14 survived.

[Neesmo]

Looks like it takes a lot of work but I bet its rewarding. Is this one of the harder shrimp to breed?

Kyle

[Gobies et al]

Amano's are considered one of the difficult to breed because of the marine larva stages.

It has been rewarding as this was a goal I had set for myself. I also feel like kicking myself when I do dumb things that may have resulted in loss of the whole lot. Still, one of the more experienced breeders has reported success in 1 out of 4 or 5 attempts. This was my 6th attempt.

[Neesmo]

wow your doing well then. I cant stand the idea of spending all that time and effort and all of them dieing. I wouldn't be happy with myself, but its a definite learning curve I can already see. Good on you for taking the challange in stride

Kyle

[Gobies et al]

Day 52

All of the zoae have metamorphosed into the shrimplet form. They are now ~7 mm. I have definitely seen 6, but I'm hoping there are more. I am in the process now of switching them back to freshwater. Since there are so few, I am leaving them in the tank they've been in and changing the water in there. Previously, I have removed shrimplets from the marine conditions and put them into a freshwater tank.

Here is one of the shrimplets as it sits on tank side, seen from under side.

[Nicklfire]

wow that's awesome, i have yet to meet someone who has successfully raised them, great job!