My new batch of cherry shrimp has revealed a second definite female (and a remarkable case of growth - there were none as large as she when I received them a few weeks ago, the next largest being two almost-definite males that haven't grown since they arrived). She started showing a saddle today, so my question is...
...is a saddled female likely to breed soon, or should I hold off on the cigars for now? After all, the other saddled female has been so for about two weeks.
BTW, when there IS a crustacean/aquarium invert club, "Saddle Up" has my vote for title of the newsletter.
That is a good sign when your shrimp have saddles. It means they have been feed and are healthy enough to have developing eggs. My females always seen to be carrying eggs a couple of weeks after developing saddles so keep a look out for yours
I agree, but only for the 1st time around. Most of my females get a new saddle while they are brooding the eggs. After they hatch they have another batch within a week.