Zoea *successful captive breeding & rearing of C. variabilis

[Happy Crabber]

YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYYAYYYYYy
That is so awesome!
Maybe one way to keep track is to just note how many you see above ground each day. Although that wouldn't tell you how long each molt is. I'm sure some of our sciency types might know a good way to do this.

Congratulations!!!!

[sandra03]

Hmm maybe keeping track of when they went down, how many are down, then when they start coming up you can figure out average time down, or you can assume the first ones up were first down and with how long they took now you know what to expect from the rest..track when any went down so you know when to expect them back up (ish)

[wolfnipplechips]

This is the most exciting thing in the whole world right now. So awesome!! Congrats! I love seeing the pics!

[aussieJJDude]

OMG, CONGRATS!
This is amazing! Best thing in the world!
And this would of not happened if you weren't there! So congrats to you to, your a grandmother!

[Nat_addicted to HC's]

Going to get black card stock so I can get decent pictures for all of you today

[Careyenz]

Can't wait to see! I'm living for your updates right now!


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[aussieJJDude]

Me too! We need updates!

[Nat_addicted to HC's]

Hi all!
So batch number 3 is turning into megalopa as I type & Ive started feeding so there is a plentiful amount of food when they start feeding, hopefully I can increase the survival rate.
Update on our crabbies;
The following 3 Pics are a megalopa who has transitioned out of the salt water today



You can see that it is quite transparent *note - a lot easier to photograph as it moves slowly

crabs hanging out together, they are very active and are extremely hard to photograph. You can also see the little tunnels they dig in this picture, they wonder around for a few days then dig down and seem to be back up the next day and the claws are bigger, eye stalks more defined, small antennae and so hard to show you but they have hairs on their legs.... teeny tiny hairs and are opaque!

Eating.... how many do you count in this picture?
I put a total of 43 megalopa in shells in the transition pools with 7 spare shells in each pool. There are no more megalopa in the saltwater transition pools and I count 26 on the surface in the transition tank and 8 shells left in one pool and 9 in the other. Im happy with that

sorry the photos are not the best, I really do need a macro lens for shanes camera



So Im pretty sure this is a first crab, Its not translucent any more and it is kind of the same colour as some of my adults, opaque with loads more detail.
what do you think?

[sandra03]

Gorgeous little crabbies! Too cool

[wolfnipplechips]

SO CUTE!!! You're officially one of my heroes. Showed my husband, too. Those are the only kind of babies he wants.

[Nat_addicted to HC's]

Thanks Wolf Im feeling pretty proud right now and still totally amazed........ We did it!
I am seriously considering doing a masters in research/doctorate/phd studying & researching variabilis

[Rocky]

You did it! Holy crab!
The last little guy looks like he must of molted a few times at least!!
Still can't believe how tiny they are

[Nat_addicted to HC's]

Holy Crab!!! Sums it up perfectly Rocky

[CrabbyMom33]

Wow! Just WOW!

[Happy Crabber]

YAYAAAAAYYYY! Those are awesome pics! I can't believe you have so many! Congrats, and I can't wait to see how they grow up!

One little request..... would you consider photographing them with a little ruler or something? I'd love to know exactly how teensy tiny they really are. Just ignore me if thats too troublesome. You've got your hands full over there!!!

Woooohoooooooooooooo!