Zoea *successful captive breeding & rearing of C. variabilis

[Rocky]

Awesome progress already! Congrats! Even if this batch doesn't make it either, we just learned something important Each batch will get you a bit further.
Sorry about Hannibal It's hard when you put so much into them, but it's hard to do so without getting attached.

[sandra03]

Yeah hard not to get attached. Even to something so teeny
Sounds like whatever you're doing different this time is working for you though. I guess the lesson is not try too hard and just let nature do its thing

[Curlz]

I guess the lesson is not try too hard and just let nature do its thing

In my opinion that does not work. Because a tank is no ocean... and never can be an ocean.
You have to try hard.

if it were easy and if it can be done "without trying hard" there should be more successfull breedings.

[sandra03]

i didn't mean not to try i just meant not to stress too much about little things that can't be controlled. plus it seems like aussies are much easier than other species

[Curlz]

it seems like aussies are much easier than other species

No they are not. There would be more successfull experiments with variabilis in this case
In my opinion they are more difficult. They only runs through 2 Zoea stages, but the time to get a shell and get to land is longer. And they are extremely cannibalism. That means a lot of lost megalopa.


In my case it only works one time of seven. And I had to controll as much as possible. (light, water, temperature, salt, artemia nauplia, cleaning, food, waterchange, air, heat, stream, cleaning etc.).

[sandra03]

Yes well I know nothing

[Nat_addicted to HC's]

Ok now that I have 5 seconds spare, here is the picture of eggs I promised to put back up

[Nat_addicted to HC's]

I have worked out how to get a little video of my little guys and girls and will do so tonight so you can all see where Im at on this incredible journey.
Im preparing the transition tank once again too with 2 salt water pools this time but just like before with the plastic log and air stone, we will just have to wait and see how it turns out, I cant afford to make a whole new set up right now so will have to make do with what I have.
Wow can they eat!!!!! they are interested in each other less & less, I feed 4 - 5 times a day, that has made a massive difference. I am feeding Betta food, marine master premium mix (vitapet brand). they are a tiny sinking crumb.

[Nat_addicted to HC's]

That is so amazing Nat!!!!

So maybe we need to worry less about water quality and just stuff them full of whatever we can.

Ive not worried so much about keeping the jars tidy but have kept a very close eye on ammonia & nitrates etc, a couple drops of water ager cn daily keeps on top of it and then there is a bit of muck for the ones who are roaming still to hide in.
Im trying not to get attached!!!!!!!!

[aussieJJDude]

Congrats!
In the pic with the eggs with the crab, what shell is the crab wearing (if you know...)
Congrats, hope the best from you

[Nat_addicted to HC's]

Pheasant

[aussieJJDude]

Wow, thats a pheasant, I have tonnes of them, never that dark! AWESOME
Thanks

[Nat_addicted to HC's]

Megalopae today




eating! not each other! check out how cute the little one in the shell is

[aussieJJDude]

OMG Awwww Cute! I have mixed emotions, they are cuteness overload!

[Nat_addicted to HC's]

like I said I am trying not to get too attached again! Hannibal dying really hit hard, I thought I was prepared.
I have a better feeling about these guys though