First Berried Female!!!

[annahay01]

I have owned my opae ula for about 5/6 months now. They're in a 1 gallon tank and I have my first 2 berried females!! I was wondering the chances of the babies living, the eggs hatching, and do opae ula eat their young? or will the other shrimp eat the eggs? Please help! (Im not sure of my exact salinity because I don't have a hydrometer, if that effects on anything)

[Varanus]

Congratulations! As for your questions, you have a reasonably good chance of them hatching but keep in mind that first time shrimp mothers do seem more likely to drop some or even all of their eggs before they are ready to hatch. They seem to do better on future attempts.

As for cannibalism, the other shrimp won't eat baby shrimp unless said babies have died so you needn't worry about that. I assume they may eat dropped eggs, though I don't know if anyone can confirm it, but regardless it seems dropped eggs won't hatch.

[Ace]

Hurray! It is very exciting!

Actually, do not do anything at all. Resist any urges you have to help. They will do everything on their own. I was worked up about it too but everything turned out perfectly. No, they do not eat the young. And they do not need to be fed anything either.

Enjoy!

[annahay01]

Thanks everyone for your help!

[Ace]

You are very welcome! Please, leave frequent updates about what's going on. I would like to follow the progress.