OMG, Finally!! Berried Female :)

[mcdaney]

congrats Carolina!!!

[Carolina]

I was able to take some pictures of Berried momma #2 - I think she is releasing her larvae today, as I found one swimming around the tank!!!

I also recorded a video - it's not very clear as she was too far for my macro lens, but you can see the larvae are well ready to be released - so exciting!!







Here is the video: https://youtu.be/nUuAFUNsbGk

Momma #3 is well hidden, so no pictures at this time.....

[Carolina]

Slowly but surely, she is releasing her Larvae one by one. There are three floaters right now, and still a bunch to go. I suppose she will be done by morning

[jonesinfershrimp]

congrats! looks like you'll have quite the active population in 6ish months! lol. talk about filling up the tank quick!

[Carolina]

All of them made it and are swimming around the tank as they should!!! Happy shrimp grandma here!!

[Carolina]

Finally able to get a picture of momma #3! She hides in a very tiny and dark cave, so the picture didn't come out nice.... But still, iI am so excited! I have 7 babies, about 11 Larvae that I can count, just born this morning, and a berried momma!

[Carolina]

All the larvae still doing great. I suppose the babies are too since I haven't seen any bodies.... I've seen a couple swimming around on the back of the tank very low, down to the substrate, was lucky to see them, they are fast and really tiny!
Momma #3 still doing well.
Hopefully when I get back the eggs will have hatched.... So exciting!
Thinking about increasing the size of the lava cave I have on tank #2, I am pretty sure it helped the breeding on tank #1.... The mommas love that cave and are constantly hiding.

[jonesinfershrimp]

im glad to see the shrimps/shrimplets are doing so well im sure the sense of security in the caves really helps keep their stress levels nice and low.

[Carolina]

Sooooo many babies, babies, babies! Can't count it anymore!

[Carolina]

Momma #3 had her babies while I was away on a trip. All are doing well. I haven't had a chance to check if there are any more berried females. This is fun!

[Carolina]

I found a momma #4,but it's strange, she's so big, yet she's carrying only 2 eggs? Is this normal?
All the babies and new Larvae are doing great the last tank is doing awesome!
I am afraid of disturbing the apple cart... This tank has the MTS Snails, chaetamorpha, two large Nerite snails, one marimo ball, the little ball from mustafa and a hermit crab that I no longer feed, but is doing incredibly well.
Tank #2 had only marimo balls, which I was quick to find out absorb so much nutrients, that when under the light, are a great substrate for hair algae growth. (no growth on the marimo kept on shaded areas). There is also a thick algae growth in the right "wall", very strange. Its strands are quite thicker than hair algae, and they don't grown long. They took only part of the wall. I considering shaving it off.
I split the chaetamorpha from tank #1 and put some on tank #2.
Tank 2 has a LOT of algae growth on the walls (I clean the front panel only).
The hair algae is not sticking, so I just clean the marimo balls, but it's annoying.
I am wondering if I should transfer my clean up crew to tank #2: one Nerite, and the Hermie.
Bit again, tank #1 is doing so well with everyone in it, reproducing like crazy.... I am afraid of messing it up.
Decisions, decisions....

[Carolina]

Since tank #1 is so clean and needs some algae growth, I transferred one Nerite snail and the hermit crab to tank #2,the 10 gallon tank.
As soon as I transferred the hermit, he changed shell to a MUCH bigger one, and killed a snail MTS for lunch... I guess he was hungry.... Ok by me, as I am having a snail infestation at that tank. I just don't want him to eat my Nerite, so I'll be watching him very closely.... That guy grew a LOT!
Tank #2 is doing great, the ciano bacteria is gone, but to get rid of it the snail reproduction was a bit out of control. There is a weird algae in the glass too. It's not hair algae.... Hairy, but short strands. The snails are eating it away. Hopefully the Nerite and Hermie will help to get rid of it.
As for tank #1, the Larvae from momma #3 turned into shrimplets and went bentic.
Today momma #4 release her 2 Larvae. They are doing well. There has been batch after batch of larvae/babies.... Very exciting!
Haven't checked if there is a momma #5 berried yet, but the way things are going, wouldn't be surprised!
The tank has completely recovered from everything it has gone through.... Actually, both tanks have.... Now I just hope tank #2's snail population self adjusts once the food supply goes down....

[Carolina]

The juvies came out from hiding today and are all over with the adults grazing the substrate... Sooooo cute!

[Mustafa]

As soon as I transferred the hermit, he changed shell to a MUCH bigger one, and killed a snail MTS for lunch... I guess he was hungry.... Ok by me, as I am having a snail infestation at that tank.

Maybe that's one of the reasons you don't have to feed him. In any case, all that patience has been rewarded! Congrats on the babies!

[Carolina]

As soon as I transferred the hermit, he changed shell to a MUCH bigger one, and killed a snail MTS for lunch... I guess he was hungry.... Ok by me, as I am having a snail infestation at that tank.

Maybe that's one of the reasons you don't have to feed him. In any case, all that patience has been rewarded! Congrats on the babies!

You know, I never thought about it that way! Glad no one is starving here
Thanks for the congrats, I am thrilled for the success on this tank! Can't wait for tank #2 to take off too... I am sure it will... Glad it it's over all the mess it went through. Both tanks look great!
Thanks Mustafa