Breeding the sulawesi spinata shrimp
Breeds in fresh water: the young develop fully inside the egg and hatch as miniature shrimp, so no salt water is needed. Breeding is possible but demanding and needs a mature, algae-covered tank.
Step by step
Keep a group of 15-20 and let them pair up; females moult and then mate within a day or two.
30 L tank with hard alkaline water (pH 7.5-8.5, KH 3-5), 27-30 C, rocks and shaded hides.
Stable warm hard water.
About 15-30 large eggs per brood (wild females 17-31; aquarium 15-20). Incubation time not confirmed.
Tiny adults; feed biofilm and powdered food.
- Using hard tap water
- Big swings in temperature or TDS
- Adding copper-containing foods or medicines
Male or female
Females grow slightly larger and, after their first brood, have a deeper brood pouch; otherwise the sexes are hard to tell apart.
Can I breed it in my tank?
- Hard: for experienced breeders.
Day-by-day plan
Typical for shrimp
- Day 0Berried female
Eggs are carried under the tail. Keep the water stable and don't move her.
- Day 21Hatching
After about 2–4 weeks tiny shrimp hatch. They graze on biofilm and moss.
- Day 30Growing
Keep a sponge on the filter intake. Feed powdered shrimp food a little at a time.
- 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
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.
- A female became berried.
An educational estimate from the breeding rules, not a promise.