My sole, single striped cleaner has eggs...how?

[shootingstar_reef]

My scarlet cleaner (L. amboinensis) who has been the sole representative of their species in my aquarium, is now gravid. It just molted so my conclusion is....it self-fertilized? Is that common? Obviously I can't care for the young (or can I.....) but I thought these shrimps don't self-fertilize; or do they?

 

[ThePurple12]

How long have you had it? It must've mated with another shrimp in the previous tank it was in.

 

[shootingstar_reef]

I've had it for almost 3 months now...

 

[UkiahTheTurtle]

Mine did that too after about 4 months of owning her

 

[ThePurple12]

Here's an answer I found on Reef Central:

There has been some talk of cleaners being able to store sperm for up to several months. They only attach eggs immediately after a molt, so it may be possible that your single cleaner has not molted since the other shrimp disappeared, and only now used "stored" sperm.

The answer will be evident if this keeps happening (ie, then the source of the sperm would have to be something else).

Kevin

Makes sense, because yours just molted!

 

[shootingstar_reef]

oh that sounds more plausible!

except, this is its second molt since I've had it. Would it last through ~two molts? maybe, I guess....

 

[ThePurple12]

oh that sounds more plausible!

except, this is its second molt since I've had it. Would it last through ~two molts? maybe, I guess....

I guess so, Kevin said several months.

I can tell you they don't self-fertilize, or there would be no point in mated pairs!

 

[shootingstar_reef]

well! i guess i'll take it.

you learn something new everyday


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*
the more you know

 

[shootingstar_reef]

T R A G E D Y ! ! !

y'all...my shrimp passed :( It's carapace is "spread" and its shell is opaque. It's not moving. I'm so sad I loved this lil shrimp ),=