Wow, my cherry shrimp made it

[jordonsmum]

I inherited about six cherry shrimp with a batch of plants that I purchased through a private sale. I didn't think the shrimp would survive because I don't know anything about them. It's been prob about a month. I've often seen a clear one here and there, but tonight I saw a VERY dark red one with a clear one. The clear one was "piggy backing" the dark red one. I've never seen them that dark red before. It was pretty cool. The red one's also a lot larger (fat) than the clear one so I'm guessing the red is the female?? Anyway, they look larger to me and seem quite healthy. They're in my planted fry tank. I'm impressed. I suppose I should learn a little more about them other than they like algea. I might even look into picking up a few more after learning something about them. I really liked the dark red.

[Melody]

Only females get dark red, when they're expecting shrimplets. ::D:

[jordonsmum]

Well then, in that case, i'll hold off getting more. I guess i'm doing something right...lol WUHOOOOOO...lol thanks Mel!!!

[traco1]

Kristy, I've got some too. If they start producing offspring, tradesy to ya. I've also got some blues too which are kind of cool too. They are neat to sit and look at. I've got my tank right beside my computer here.

[jordonsmum]

A little birdie told me that they keep their eggs under their tails. I don't see any eggs and she's lost her bright red colour.... :no: . No babies for me... Maybe next time *sigh*

[Melody]

You've forgotten one possibility Kristy - there may be baby bugs in your tank as we speak :;): . They're next to impossible to see at first.

[traco1]

How cool would that be if you did have that happen? Without even trying. Time to get the magnifying glass out (you do have one, don't you?! lol).

[jordonsmum]

OMG!!! I did water changes today!!! Oh dear. Never thought of that. I may have been looking at the wrong one. She might have just been hiding really well when I was looking. I just saw the red one again. I got a pretty close look at her. She's still really bright red and quite a bit larger than the clear one. Still can't see any eggs or anything. Definetly nothing under her tail yet. *fingers are still crossed*:yes: I guess my next wanted post will be for cherry shrimp....lol

[Melody]

Get some from Mr. Mykiss :yes:

[hp10BII]

Look for a "saddle" on the female shrimps. It's a dark yellow patch on the back of a shrimp where a saddle would be if you were to take a ride on her. Those are the unfertilized eggs. Once she molts that's when the male shrimps are attracted to her and if all goes well the fertilized eggs drop under their tail.

[jordonsmum]

Have been keeping my eyes peeled. Haven't seen anything yet, and she's still red. I've been checking her out too and can't see anything. Maybe later. Not a huge priority just kind of cool . :yes:

[jordonsmum]

So, it turns out there's a reason that she kept changing a little. There are two dark red ones and 2-3 clear ones. I didn't think I had that many. LOL cool

[Melody]

lol Well soon you'll have all sorts!

[EDBTKD]

Only females get dark red, when they're expecting shrimplets. ::D:

Hi,

Sorry, but that is just plain wrong.
Females get red as they mature and males stay clear with small amount of red.
Here is a link with more info:
http://www.petshrimp.com/redcherryshrimp.html

TKD

[Melody]

I understand that they're always red, but the red intensifies when they're breeding. Mine do anyway. Thanks for the link!

[CACAdmin]

Thanks for the link. An interesting read. The info there does say that the females get red as they mature. However, it also states that "Females who are carrying eggs are especially deep red".

[jordonsmum]

Hi,

Sorry, but that is just plain wrong.
Females get red as they mature and males stay clear with small amount of red.
Here is a link with more info:
http://www.petshrimp.com/redcherryshrimp.html

TKD


Thanks Eric, you're always helpful!!!

[EDBTKD]

Thanks for the link. An interesting read. The info there does say that the females get red as they mature. However, it also states that "Females who are carrying eggs are especially deep red".

I understand that they're always red, but the red intensifies when they're breeding. Mine do anyway. Thanks for the link!

Your both welcome:laugh: .

He kinds contradicts himself though, despite it being a very good site.
Look at the last picture, its a female caring eggs but she is not all that red.
Most of mine look like her untill they get older... then they get more red.:smile:
ie... the red is more age dependant than anythening else.

TKD

[Melody]

But the statement, of course, is far from 'just plain wrong' :;): . I agree that they get more red as they mature, I just explained the breeder red as 'deep red'. They go a deeper red when they're packing eggs, which would depend on the shade they were when they weren't packing eggs. The other shrimp on the site is younger so she's not as red as a mature Shrimp carrying eggs would be, but she could still be more red than she was before.

When Kristy was suddenly seeing brilliant red shrimp that she hadn't noticed before, it would make sense that it indicated breeding - maturity happens over time. Its a typical appearance change in the females. Maybe I notice it more because the tank is beside me.

Lots of things can effect the intensity of the red actually, we just had a discussion about that not too long ago. Genetics, diet, environment, etc.:yes: I had full grown Shrimp that were barely marbled red.

[Melody]

I thought I saw reference to it somewhere else - found it on Badmans "Females are a deep red color (darker when carrying eggs). Males tend to be much paler and smaller."

Back to the topic at hand, did you ever find any Shrimplets Kristy?

[jordonsmum]

Not yet:nah: . But I'm still hoping. I haven't seen any eggs under their tails either. I've attempted to take some photos so you can see, but they weren't the best.
http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t174/jordonsmum/100_4879.jpg

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t174/jordonsmum/100_4857.jpg

[Melody]

She's a beautiful shade of red!

I always see the saddle easier than the eggs. Granted, I don't really look for them too hard either. They're born pretty tiny but they grow quite quickly.

I have pic's around here somewhere of one that was the smallest I had seen but it was far from newborn - tiny little ant. My Son was excited & had to send Mr. Mykiss pictures because it was him who gave him the Shrimp. He was proud to have done such a good job. I just shook my head - all he does is look a the tank and I do all of the work, but a kid has to be proud of something I guess...lol. He's more into those than the fish actually, other than his personal fish. Anyways, the picture was magnified 10x and still barely picked it up.

[jordonsmum]

If you think i'm obsessed, you should see Jordon at bed time:laugh: . I snuggle him every night after I put the baby to bed and he just lays there staring at the tank, narrating everything that the shrimp, fry and Cory's are doing like I can't see it myself. I sound like a broken record every night. "Go to sleep Jordon, Go to sleep Jordon.":twitcy: And of course they're HIS fish and shrimp and snails and etc.... LOL he braggs when people come over and introduces them to every fish which of course they all have names.:laugh:

[Melody]

LOL You'll have to start putting a sheet over the tank.... then again, that would leave you with nothing to stare at while you wait for him to sleep.:wideeyed:

[jordonsmum]

EXACTLY!!! LOL Not to mention it's taken the hyper activity out of bed time. He's very passive at bed time now because of the 15 gal. He's got the fry in there now, so he's having so much more fun because he loves the babies.

I have to run along now. I'm supposed to be getting ready for a road trip to Barb's after I get Jordon from kindergarden. Have a great day!!!!