Photo of Opae releasing berries

[Harry]

This is an Opae that appears to be releasing her berries. This is not the berried Alpha shown in my other post. This Opae has been on the pictured sea fan for a while and it looks like she is trying to shake off her berries. I don't see any larvae yet, but hope to see some in the morning. This is the first time I have seen this one. I believe she has been living in the rocks all this time.

[Harry]

She still had the berries the next morning. They looked very loose and I am wondering if they actually are ready to be released. Can anyone tell from the photo at what stage they are at?

[Stalker]

They dont "release" berries, they oxygenate them by moving pleopods.

[Harry]

So what is next in the process?

[Stalker]

A larva will be released from every egg. Then the larva will transform into a little shrimp.

[KenCotigirl]

Harry those eggs are not ready to hatch. Takes about 5 weeks. Sometimes for reasons i do not know, when these shrimp first start to breed they drop their eggs. It has happened in my four tanks. Then for unknown reason they hold their eggs and their numbers increase. Good luck.

[Harry]

Thanks guys, for all the good info. How can you tell when they are ready to hatch?

[KenCotigirl]

One thing is the eggs change color. From a more or less solid color to a mottled appearance. Then distinct light and dark areas. A day or so before release they hatch from their eggs but stay attached.

[Harry]

Thanks Ken.

[Harry]

No larvae yet and it's been about five weeks. I no longer see the berried female. She is either hiding or has dropped her berries. Maybe we'll see something in another week or two.

[Stalker]

What is the alga we see in the picture?

[Harry]

Mustafa's macroalgae

[Mech]

Looks good! What is the plant/orniment the shrimp is sat on?

[Harry]

A Sea Fan (once alive).

[Mech]

A Sea Fan (once alive).

thanks