Another attempt at breeding amanos

skewlboy · Post by **skewlboy** » Sun Jun 04, 2006 9:46 am

So my first shot at breeding failed at about day 12-15. Had very strong population of zoes, happy in 1.031 salinity, feeding a professional greenwater mix from LFS (phytofeast Live). Got the golden pearls from online source and after feeding noticed stong response to surface, assuming they were feeding. First day after noticed decrease in numbers but thought it was just my imagination. Day 2-3 after feeding definately not my imagination and slight spike in ammonia. By day 4 after GP all zoes were toast.

I had done partial water changes during day 1-4 after feeding, feeling like an idiot for changing my routine from greenwater but did still feel like the added protein was needed for growth. My tank had been set up w/ saltwater for 7 days before adding zoes and I had added cycle to tank but I guess I'm back to the drawing board.

Reason that I am writing is that I am now thinking about making my rearing tank into a mini salt "reef" tank but not sure I can do the protein skimmer. Going to add live rock and some macro-algae and see if my rearing tank can be more stable. This sound over the top? Anyone else think why they would bite the dust so soon after GP's? Also trying to find a good light for a 10 gal tank for marine life now - any suggestions (brands or possible sources).

Thanks

badflash · Post by **badflash** » Sun Jun 04, 2006 10:02 am

I had exactly the same experience and am going to try the same solution.
I'm going to set up a 10 gallon saltwater tanks with an undergravel filter and coral subtrate. I'll use a side mounted filter taking suction on the undergravel filter to avoid sucking in zoes and to allow easy removal of water without removing the zoes.

The conversion to pearls is probably a good thing except for fouling the water. The rearing of rosenbergii larva follows a similar path in coversion from brine shrimp hatchlngs to an egg custard type high protien food.

Adult amanos have a taste for meat, so I think the late stage larva may as well. The last larval stage is where my larva have failed twice.

I think having a well established high quality tank system may be the way to go.

Shrimp&Snails · Post by **Shrimp&Snails** » Sun Jun 04, 2006 11:05 am

I have three amanos.....the female is always full of eggs and was wondering this:

If amanos are so hard to breed are my amanos wild caught?

Gregor Samsa Mendel · Sun Jun 04, 2006 11:29 am

According to Mustafa, on another thread:

The problem is that shrimp that are not all that easy to breed in captivity like the Amano shrimp are not even farm raised. They occur naturally in Taiwan and are probably collected in huge quantities. Same applies to most imported shrimp, be it from China, India, Indonesia..etc...etc. They are usually wild-caught.

Shrimp&Snails · Post by **Shrimp&Snails** » Sun Jun 04, 2006 11:32 am

Gregor Samsa Mendel wrote:According to Mustafa, on another thread:

The problem is that shrimp that are not all that easy to breed in captivity like the Amano shrimp are not even farm raised. They occur naturally in Taiwan and are probably collected in huge quantities. Same applies to most imported shrimp, be it from China, India, Indonesia..etc...etc. They are usually wild-caught.

That makes me wonder if amanos will be a shrimp that ends up endangered since it's hard to breed and probably over-caught to sell.

Gregor Samsa Mendel · Sun Jun 04, 2006 11:37 am

It's a definite possibility.

That's why I think that Mustafa's efforts at promoting the sale of only captive-bred shrimp are so important.

Shrimp&Snails · Post by **Shrimp&Snails** » Sun Jun 04, 2006 11:40 am

Gregor Samsa Mendel wrote:It's a definite possibility. That's why I think that Mustafa's efforts at promoting the sale of only captive-bred shrimp are so important.

I wish I was a little more brackish-savvy so I could allow my amano's larvae to grow and become shrimp.

If anyone has the magic formula I would love to give it a go.

badflash · Post by **badflash** » Sun Jun 04, 2006 2:16 pm

There are several articles (seach out "my amano project") that discuss it. Full seawater is used. Green water to start, then pearls is known to succeed. I think water quality is the key.

Lady Friesian · Post by **Lady Friesian** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 11:14 am

The mini-reef sounds like a really neat idea, but you might want to be careful about adding live rock. Baby Amanos probably count as the ideal food for a lot of species that might turn up on them. Quarantining it for a long time might help avoid this.

Good luck!

skewlboy · Post by **skewlboy** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 12:45 pm

I'm hoping cured live rock or even base rock would be fine. Just need the microbes on it to do their duty.

My amano ladies are w/ child again, should see zoes in about 4 weeks. Gives me some time to set up the tank. Any suggestions on who/what animal/stuff to help cycle the tank w/. Never done marine before. Also looking into PC w/ actinic in it for a 10 gal tank. Anyone know of a good suggesiton?

badflash · Post by **badflash** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 4:05 pm

Try acclimating MTS to salt water. I've done it and it works. Start with 1/3 salt. Wait until you see them moving & feeding. 2-3 days. Go to 2/3 salt and do the same. Finally full salt.

For some reason my zoes stopped comming. Plenty of eggs, but no hatch. I'm wondering if I need to make them think it is winter.

skewlboy · Post by **skewlboy** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 4:15 pm

Sorry, what is MTS?

Gregor Samsa Mendel · Post by **Gregor Samsa Mendel** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 5:07 pm

Malaysian Trumpet Snails.