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Breeding / Shrimp
Dwarf orange crayfish
Shrimp · Very easy

Breeding the dwarf orange crayfish

Direct developer: the male pins the female and passes sperm packets; she lays eggs under her tail, carries them and then the tiny hatchlings, which look like miniature adults. No larval stage.

Full species page

Step by step

Pairing

Start with 6-10 animals, with a mix of males and females.

Breeding tank

A 40 L tank with plants, hides and sponge filter. Water 18-24 C.

What starts it

Cooler, steady water and good food. They breed easily.

Eggs and young

Females carry about 20-60 eggs under the tail for about 4-6 weeks; 3 mm young hatch.

Raising the fry

Young are miniature adults. Feed fine foods and keep with plenty of hiding places.

Common mistakes
  • Cannibalism from lack of hiding spots
  • High temperatures
  • Keeping with fish that nip

Male or female

Males have hard, V-shaped mating organs (gonopods) under the body at the base of the tail; females lack them and are slightly larger.

Can I breed it in my tank?

  • Good for a first breeding project.

Day-by-day plan

Typical for shrimp

  1. Day 0Berried female

    Eggs are carried under the tail. Keep the water stable and don't move her.

  2. Day 21Hatching

    After about 2–4 weeks tiny shrimp hatch. They graze on biofilm and moss.

  3. Day 30Growing

    Keep a sponge on the filter intake. Feed powdered shrimp food a little at a time.

  4. Day 90Adults

    They can breed themselves at about 3 months.

A general guide for this breeding type. Days change with temperature and species.

Simulator: guided

Stage 1 of 4Berried female

Eggs are carried under the tail. Keep the water stable and don't move her.

Simulator: try it yourself

Set up a virtual breeding tank and see what would likely happen.

About 17 young raised80% hatched · 70% of fry survived
  • A female became berried.

An educational estimate from the breeding rules, not a promise.