Hey there, fellow aquarium enthusiasts! I’ve been breeding ghost shrimp for years, and one of the most common questions I get is about identifying their eggs. Today, I’m gonna break down everything you need to know about ghost shrimp eggs, from what they look like to how to care for them.
Quick Answer
Ghost shrimp eggs are small, oval-shaped dots that range from green (unfertilized) to white or pale yellow (fertilized). You’ll find them attached under the female’s tail, and when they’re close to hatching, you can actually see tiny black specks (the baby shrimps’ eyes and stomachs) inside them!
What Ghost Shrimp Eggs Look Like Through Different Stages
Week 1: The Early Stage
- Eggs appear as tiny green dots
- Located near the base of female’s abdomen (the “saddle” area)
- Female looks slightly larger than usual
- Eggs are firmly attached to swimmerets
Week 2: The Transition Stage
- Color starts fading from green
- Eggs begin moving toward the tail
- Size increases slightly
- Male fertilization typically occurs during this period
Week 3: The Final Stage
- Eggs turn white or pale yellow (if fertilized)
- Black specks become visible inside eggs
- Eggs are positioned closer to tail
- Mother starts fanning eggs more frequently
How to Tell if Ghost Shrimp Eggs are Fertilized
Here’s my tried-and-tested checklist for identifying fertilized eggs:
-
Color Change
- Unfertilized: Green
- Fertilized: White or pale yellow
-
Position
- Unfertilized: Higher up near abdomen
- Fertilized: Lower, closer to tail end
-
Black Specks
- Present = Fertilized
- These are actually the developing eyes and stomachs!
-
Mother’s Behavior
- Increased fanning of eggs
- Avoiding tank bottom
- Regular cleaning of eggs
Tips for Caring for Ghost Shrimp Eggs
If you’re planning to breed ghost shrimp (which is super fun, btw!), here’s what you’ll need:
Tank Setup
- 5-10 gallon breeding tank
- Plenty of plants (I love using Java moss)
- Sponge filter (keep flow gentle)
- Temperature: 75-80°F (24-27°C)
- pH: 7.0-8.0
Water Parameters
Ammonia: 0 ppmNitrites: 0 ppmNitrates: <20 ppmHardness: 3.72-6.75Common Problems and Solutions
Problem 1: Mother Eating Eggs
Solution: Separate mother from eggs once they’re about to hatch
Problem 2: Eggs Turning Brown
Solution: Check water parameters and ensure proper oxygenation
Problem 3: Eggs Falling Off
Solution Maintain stable water conditions and minimize disturbances
FAQs About Ghost Shrimp Eggs
Q: How many eggs do ghost shrimp lay?
A: Usually between 20-30 eggs per batch
Q: How long until eggs hatch?
A: Typically 2-3 weeks in optimal conditions
Q: Can I save eggs from a dead mother shrimp?
A: Yes! Use a DIY egg tumbler to provide oxygen and movement
My Personal Tips for Success
After breeding ghost shrimp for years, here are some tricks I’ve learned:
- Don’t panic if some eggs don’t make it – it’s totally normal
- Keep the breeding tank super clean
- Use live plants to provide infusoria for baby shrimp
- Be patient! Good things take time
Remember, every shrimp keeper has different experiences and what works for me might need tweaking for your setup. The key is observation and consistency!
Final Thoughts
Ghost shrimp eggs might seem tricky to identify at first, but once you know what to look for, it becomes second nature. Keep this guide handy, and don’t hesitate to experiment with different setups to find what works best in your aquarium.
Have you tried breeding ghost shrimp before? What has your experience been like? Feel free to share your stories in the comments below!
Would you like me to explain any part of this guide in more detail?
Tank Size For Ghost Shrimp
Ghost Shrimp can be kept in small tanks like 5 or 10 gallon aquariums and larger. With small aquariums, be mindful of the limitations of the tank in terms of low water volume and limited surface area. So be sure to not accidentally overstock the tank. Ghost Shrimp are small creatures but they contribute to the bio-load of a tank just like other living organisms. Overstocking a small tank with lots of shrimp will cause water quality issues and can create an unhealthy environment. So follow the typical fish stocking rules for community tanks and things should work out fine.
With small tanks like a 10 gallon, try not to add too many Ghost Shrimp. They may get aggressive and nasty toward each other if there are too many living together in a small space.
Ghost Shrimp Molting Process
Ghost Shrimp are often kept in groups. It’s difficult to say how often Ghost Shrimp molt because its hard to figure out which of the group has lost its shell. Most commonly a hobbyist will wake up one morning, check out the tank and see a couple of clear white empty shells on the bottom. As long as they shrimp are there, all is good. The important thing to know is that Ghost Shrimp molt as they eat and grow. So as long they are actively feeding and moving about, it’s normal for them to molt often. Molting just means they are healthy and growing larger.
When Ghost Shrimp molt they are very vulnerable until they get acclimated in their new shell. That’s why its important to keep them in a tank with lots of small hiding places. Live aquarium plants are good for this purpose.
After molting occurs, leave the empty shed shell in the tank for a few days. Other shrimp may take turns feeding off it. Re-ingesting the minerals in the old shell helps set up their next molting cycle.