From Egg to Baby Shrimp: The Wonder of Reproduction

It's one of the most exciting moments for any aquarist: spotting a female with eggs under her abdomen for the first time. But what actually happens between mating and the moment tiny babies dart through the moss?

In this article, we take a look at the fascinating reproductive cycle of Caridina and Neocaridina shrimp.

The Starting Signal: The Mating Swim

It all begins with the molting of the female. As soon as a sexually mature female sheds her shell, she releases pheromones (attractants) into the water. This triggers the so-called mating swim in the males: they dart wildly through the aquarium to find the female.

After mating, the eggs migrate from the nuchal spot (the ovary) down under the abdomen. There, they are securely attached to the swimmerets (pleopods).

Gestation: Continuous Brood Care

Over the next 3 to 4 weeks (depending on temperature), the female is continuously busy with brood care.

• Fanning for the Offspring: You will observe the female constantly fanning with her swimmerets. This serves to supply the eggs with oxygen-rich water and keep them clean.
• Development in the Egg: Over time, the eggs change color and become darker or more transparent. Towards the end of the gestation period, with a careful look, you can even see the tiny black eyes of the embryos shimmering through the eggshell.

The Birth: The Big Moment

When development is complete, the young hatch almost simultaneously. The mother supports this process by particularly strong fanning and arching of her abdomen. This mechanical pressure bursts the eggshell, and the fully developed, approximately 1.5 mm small baby shrimp see the light of day.

Unlike many other crustaceans, these species do not have a larval stage in seawater – they are immediately small replicas of their parents.

The First Days: Survival in the Microcosm

After hatching, the little ones are extremely sedentary and usually hide in moss or in the filter area.

• Day 1 to 2: In this first phase, the babies primarily feed on their yolk remnants. They do not yet need to actively search for food but are already beginning to absorb initial particles from their immediate surroundings.
• The Biofilm Phase: After that, they feed almost exclusively on the finest biofilm and microorganisms. Since they are still very small, it is vital that the food comes directly to them.
• Adult Food: Only after some time are they large and strong enough to also eat firmer food sticks, powders, or granules that we feed to the adult animals.

Optimal Support: Our Recommendation

• GlasGarten Bacter AE: As we already know, this powder boosts the biofilm throughout the entire aquarium. This way, the sedentary babies find nutritious growth right in front of them, without having to travel far.
• GlasGarten Shrimp Baby: This specialized rearing food is extremely finely ground. It distributes as dust food throughout the tank and contains everything young shrimp need for shell development and healthy growth.