rcs tank update/molting???

[teacher]

My rcs tank has been in operation, with shrimpies for a week. I am hooked on shrimp. If I am successful at breeding I will probly convert the tank in my classroom to an all shrimp tank. They greet me each morning and when I come in from work. I have read @ molting, but have not seen alot of info on the site. I have noticed severaL with saddles? Female right? I have one looks like eggs around her swimmeretts. I noticed what looked like a shell today, at least I hope it is ashell. I don't want any deaths to my babies!! I think I read they molt before dropping eggs. My water is fine 0ppm amonia, 0nitrite and 5ppm nitrate. The shell looks white and it doesnt look like anything is inside.

Thanks, Newjohn from my kids

Teacher

[Neonshrimp]

Great news ! Pretty soon you will have a tank full of kids. Sounds like the conditions are good in your tank if the shrimp are breeding and molting! Keep up the good work and let us know how it goes

[Newjohn]

Teacher
The White Shell you see is , is what is left after the Shrimp Molt.
And the Shrimp with the saddles are the Females.

If you have a Female carrying eggs, In around 3 weeks, start looking for very tiny Shrimp.

Once you are bitten by the Shrimp Bug, there is no turning back.

Good luck
It sounds like you are on the right track
John

[badflash]

The process goes like this:
Obvoius saddle
Female molts & males go crazy.
Eggs on swimmerlets for about 3 weeks. Female starts with a new saddle
10-30 babies hatch
About 1 week later, more eggs.

Molts are very normal. If the shrimp dies you'll see red in the shell.

[ToddnBecka]

The process goes like this:
Obvoius saddle
Female molts & males go crazy.
Eggs on swimmerlets for about 3 weeks. Female starts with a new saddle
10-30 babies hatch
About 1 week later, more eggs.

You forgot something here...
Shrimp multiply, new tank is set up.
New species of shrimp, another new tank.
It's fortunate that most shrimp don't need large tanks...

[Neonshrimp]

badflash, thanks for explaining it in the step by step mannor

ToddnBecka, sooo true about the tanks

[badflash]

Yes, this is the disease known as MTS. Multiple Tank Syndrome. There is no known cure.

[teacher]

This is my 21st year of teaching. I can retire in 7. I think I may start MTS. Maybee plunge in full time. I garantee you will find lots of shrimp. Iv'e been bitten by the shrimp bug. I guess I need to start searching garage sales for used tanks. Thanks for the advice @ the shrimp!

Teacher

[Neonshrimp]

I would also like to devote more time to the hobby! Let's see how things go in the future, the best laid plans....

[teacher]

I was beginning to think my egg carring female droped her eggs because I had not seen her in @ a week. This morning everyone was swimming. Some like to hide behind my sponge filter so I always looked behind it. Today I saw what I thought was some trash or food or something. It moved!!! I kept looking and sure enough it was a tiny little shrimp. Your not kidding @ them being small. I also noticed another female full of eggs.

I guess we are doing everything right. All water perameters are fine and nitrate is 5ppm. Iv'e read that otos are ok even in a breeding tank but just want to double check. Are they ok even in a breeding tank. I have alge growing on the glass and wondered if I could add one or two otos to help keep the glass clean so we can see the shrimp better. I would appreciate any suggestions. Thanks for the knowledge. The shrimp are fun. Everyone should have them

Teacher

[AnneRiceBowl]

Otos are just fine with RCS. I have 4 in a 20 gallon long with mine.

[minireefkeeper26]

congrats, when I saw my first cherry babies I couldn't believe how small they were, so tiny.

[Neonshrimp]

Congratulations with the new babies ! As AnneRiceBowl said, Ottos are safe with your shrimp. Youu will just need to add more food to the tank as the Ottos will quickly eat the algae and need other food sources.

And yes, shrimp are fund and everyone should have them !

[teacher]

Iv'e seen a couple of little ones. I now have 2 females with eggs in their swimmeretts. Cool! My males seem much lighter color than the females. Almost white, is this uncommon? How often does it take to be able to see the babies?

Teacher

[Neonshrimp]

RCS males are more pale than females, normally. It takes about 3 to 4 weeks for eggs to hatch from the time RCS begin carrying eggs. The warmer the water, within safe temperature, the earlier the eggs hatch. Best wishes to you