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08/09/2014, 08:41 PM | #1 |
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Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 9
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Mantis Shrimp mating/eggs
Hello. I have a small lime green mantis shrimp, that I've had for several months now. Just the other day, a nice little egg sack appeared on her. I was just curious about gestation periods and whether eggs may be produced without a male fertilizing them.
There's certainly the possibility that she mated well before I bought her. So, I was just curious about how long after mating, an egg sac might appear. Or, if the possibility exists of a female producing an unfertilized egg sac without the presence of a male. Any info would be appreciated, Thanks. |
08/10/2014, 04:16 PM | #2 |
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Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Napoli, Italy
Posts: 1,023
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The female can store sperm for quite a while. If and when they hatch, the fry won't survive. They require an immediate tank of their own with protection from filtration and a food source which isn't commercially available. Plus they eat each other. But that is very cool. Just be happy you get to see it.
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08/11/2014, 08:14 AM | #3 |
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Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Berkeley, CA, USA
Posts: 5,024
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Females can store sperm for several months, but only until they molt. The sperm storage organ is shed with the molt skin.
Roy |
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