Shrimp

Biology of Aquarium Shrimp

Life Cycle

1. Eggs: The female carries the eggs under her abdomen (between her pleopods) for 3–5 weeks
2. Larvae: They hatch as tiny replicas of the adult (there is no pelagic larval stage, as seen in farmed marine shrimp)
3. Juveniles: They grow to adulthood in 6–10 weeks
4. Adult: 1–2 years of life in Neocaridina; they can reproduce throughout their lives

Molting (ecdysis)

Shrimp have a chitin exoskeleton that does not grow → they must molt in order to grow.

Process:

1. They stop eating 1–2 days beforehand
2. They secrete enzymes that dissolve the inner layer
3. They hide and pull the body out from the back
4. New soft layer → highly vulnerable for 12–24 hours
5. Calcium Hardening of Water

Molting problems:

• Failed molt / Stuck molt: The shrimp cannot fully emerge → it dies
• Causes: Low GH, low Ca, unstable KH, toxins in the water (copper)
• The hormone crustecdisone regulates the cycle; copper disrupts it

Sexual Differentiation

• Female: larger, rounded abdomen (for carrying eggs), generally more vivid color
• Male: smaller, straight abdomen, shorter tail
• Mature female: the "saddle" is visible (a spot on the back where the eggs form before fertilization)

---