It’s been 10 weeks since the tear-down and rebuild of the Shrimphaus. One thing that surprised me was that there weren’t many shrimp in the Shrimphaus, and most of them weren’t small. In this case, it meant that the environment in the previous build wasn’t right, so the shrimp stopped reproducing. The big question was whether the new build would turn that around or not. Because eggs don’t hatch for four or five weeks after they are laid, there has been some calendar-watching going on and…
Shrimp keeping is an incredibly rewarding hobby for aquarists of all levels One of the most exciting parts of keeping shrimp is having them reproduce and watching the population grow But before you can get shrimp babies, you need to learn how to identify shrimp eggs! In this article, we’ll go over everything you need to know about what shrimp eggs look like so you can easily spot them in your tank.
Do All Types of Shrimp Lay Eggs?
The short answer is yes! All shrimp lay eggs as part of their reproductive process. The most popular types of aquarium shrimp like Cherry Shrimp, Ghost Shrimp, Amano Shrimp, and Bamboo Shrimp all lay eggs that they carry under their tails until they hatch.
The main difference between various shrimp species is how many eggs they tend to carry at one time, which we’ll cover below. But regardless of the specific species, shrimp eggs will look fairly similar across most common aquarium varieties
What Do Shrimp Eggs Look Like?
Shrimp eggs are small, spherical shaped, and typically light yellow to bright orange in color. They are held together in a clump or mass under the tail of the female shrimp From above, you’ll see the eggs protruding in a round shape from the underside of the shrimp In side profile, the mass of eggs is usually as wide or slightly wider than the shrimp’s body.
The eggs are kept inside the shrimp’s brood pouch, which is formed by small legs called pleopods designed to hold the eggs in place. The female shrimp will constantly fan these pleopods to keep the eggs clean and aerated.
When you see a colony of shrimp, the ones carrying a large mass of yellow/orange eggs under their tails are females. Shrimp carrying eggs are said to be “berried” because the eggs resemble round berries or caviar.
Shrimp Egg Color Variations
While most shrimp eggs are yellowish in hue, some species may have slightly different egg colors that still follow the same general spherical shape and location under the body. Here are some colors to look for:
- Cherry Shrimp: Bright yellow to orange eggs
- Ghost Shrimp: Pale yellow or greenish eggs
- Amano Shrimp: Light yellowish brown eggs
- Bamboo Shrimp: Dark brown to black eggs
How Many Eggs Do Shrimp Carry?
The number of eggs a female shrimp carries can vary based on her size and age. Here are some general averages:
- Cherry Shrimp: 20-30 eggs
- Ghost Shrimp: 20-40 eggs
- Amano Shrimp: 30-40 eggs
- Bamboo Shrimp: 40-60 eggs
Larger and older shrimp tend to produce more eggs per clutch. After hatching the young,female shrimp are ready to mate and lay another batch of eggs in around 30 days if conditions are right.
Can You See Baby Shrimp Inside The Eggs?
Shrimp eggs are completely enclosed, so you won’t be able to see the actual baby shrimp forming inside. However, as the eggs get closer to their hatching date, you may notice some color changes or see movement or shadows inside the eggs. This is the baby shrimp developing and preparing to emerge!
Are The Eggs Fertilized? What To Look For
If the shrimp eggs have been fertilized by a male, they will appear opaque and yellowish in color. Unfertilized eggs that were not bred successfully will be more translucent and pale. The female shrimp can lay unfertilized eggs, especially if no males are present in the tank.
Another way to tell if eggs are fertilized is to watch the female shrimp’s behavior. An actively berried shrimp that frequently fans the eggs is a positive sign that they are developing normally. While shrimp that seem to ignore their eggs or let them fall off may be carrying unfertilized eggs.
Why Are My Shrimp Dropping Eggs?
It’s common for some eggs to get dislodged or dropped from the female’s brood pouch, especially right after breeding. But excessive shrimp egg dropping can be a sign of stress or poor water conditions.
Make sure to test your water parameters. Shrimp will readily drop their eggs if the pH, temperature, or water quality is not to their liking. Improving the environment is key to shrimp successfully incubating a clutch to hatching.
Caring For Berried Shrimp
Berried shrimp with fertilized eggs need some special care for the best hatch rates:
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Maintain pristine water quality with 0 ammonia and nitrites. Shrimp are very sensitive!
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Avoid major water changes or tank cleaning until the eggs hatch. This prevents stress and accidental egg loss.
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Make sure the shrimp are well fed with protein sources like blanched veggies, algae wafers, or shrimp pellets. Eggs require extra nutrition.
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Consider moving berried shrimp to their own breeding tank if issues like aggression from fish arise in the main tank.
Following those tips will help ensure your berried shrimp hang onto their eggs until successfully hatching tiny shrimp babies into your tank! It’s very rewarding to watch the population grow and know your shrimp are thriving.
Recap On Identifying Shrimp Eggs
- Shrimp eggs are small yellowish balls held under the female’s tail
- All common aquarium shrimp carry eggs including Cherry, Ghost, Amano etc
- Fertilized eggs will be opaque yellow while unfertilized eggs look pale
- Watch for females actively fanning the eggs frequently as a positive sign
- Most shrimp hatch 20-40+ eggs per batch depending on size and age
- Test water quality if eggs are getting dropped to improve conditions
We have baby shrimp!
I was pretty excited the first time we got baby shrimp in the Shrimphaus as well.
Do Red Cherry Shrimps Lay Eggs?
What color are shrimp eggs?
Aquarium shrimp eggs are small and often translucent. They can be found attached to plants, decorations, or even on the substrate. The color of the shrimp eggs typically matches the color of the shrimp species, but unfertilized shrimp eggs may appear more pale. Do Red Cherry Shrimps Lay Eggs?
What is the difference between prawn and shrimp?
Shrimp and prawns have plenty of similarities, but they are not the same animal. Their differences involve their biology. Shrimp bodies are encased in a sort of accordion shell, with a membrane between the segments. Prawns have a shell where each segment overlaps the one below it. There are no big differences between them when it comes to their nutritional value; they are both a good source of protein, and relatively low in calories.
How do you know if a shrimp has eggs?
Another clear indication is the presence of “berry-like” protrusions or saddle-like shapes on the shrimp’s underside, which are shrimp eggs. Eventually, if the eggs are ready to hatch, the female shrimp may release them into the water.
What do shrimp eggs look like when fertilized?
Shrimp eggs are light pink when fertilized but darken over the next three weeks. Shrimp eggs begin off as opaque but grow into a transparent shell. Therefore, you’ll see the shrimp eggs gradually transform from a darker to a lighter shade of hue. When the shrimp is maturing, a little black spot may appear on its shell.