Breeding Cherry Shrimp

Cherry Shrimp are quickly becoming the most popular invertebrate in the freshwater aquarium hobby. This dwarf shrimp displays an amazing bright red color, and are quite adapted to living in the home aquarium. The Cherry Shrimp is quite easy to breed and will do so prolifically if cared for properly.

Cherry Shrimp are rather undemanding when it comes to water parameters. Most home aquariums that are well established will be suitable homes. Cherry Shrimp require a pH between 6.5-8.0 a water temperature between 65-85 degrees F, and are undemanding when it comes to water hardness.

To induce breeding all that is needed is a well cared for male and well cared for female. The males are smaller and less colorful, while the females are larger and display deeper, more vivid coloring. The females once mature will also display a yellow “saddle” on the forward part of their upper back. This “saddle: is the yellow eggs maturing in the females ovaries.

When a well-cared for male and female are in a stable, well-established aquarium, breeding will naturally occur. When the female is ready to breed she will find a comfortable hiding space and molt (shed her exoskeleton). After the molt the female will release a pheromone into the water to attract a mate. When this pheromone is released into the water the male shrimp will actively swim threw the water column searching for the female.

Once the male finds the female they will mate. The female will then pass her eggs threw the sperm and deposit the now fertilized eggs under her tail and attach them to her pleopods (the small swimming legs under a shrimps tail). She will carry these eggs until they hatch.

Once the eggs hatch the young will be miniature versions of Cherry Shrimp. The juvenile shrimp have the same care requirements as the adults, but care must be taken to make sure there are no predators in the aquarium with them. Any fish that can fit a baby shrimp into its mouth will quickly make a snack out of it.

The Dwarf Shrimp hobby has quickly become popular in The United States and the Cherry Shrimp is one of the most popular of the dwarf shrimp. Because of their general ease of care and undemanding breeding requirements this shrimp will only grow in popularity.

Author: Daniel H.

http://www.theshrimpfarm.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Daniel_Hagan

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