Surprise in my stock ponds!!

[Totenkampf]

DOH! that just reminded me of some large and overly active "ghost" shrimp that i saw in a walmart not long ago...i will bet they were amanos! i should have looked at them more closely but everything looks blah and sickly in those tanks so they may not have had very discernable markings

[mnemenoi]

Indeed, my originally purchased Amano's were mislabeled as 'Giant Ghost Shrimp' and were all of 79 cents a piece. They are Amano's, but I have a sneaky suspicion they are being pond bred. I had assumed his ponds were sizable as he was breeding show quality Koi, I can't imagine him trying to accomplish that in any small area.

As to the low order shrimp, I think there must be some plankton or food that is viable to their offspring taht is just not in our aqauariums or perhaps not nearly plentiful enough. Having read over the micro-crabs I have a suspicion they might be another that falls into this category.

[Totenkampf]

I have often wondered about Amanos and their 'required' brackish conditions. Almost all are pond bred and their description and requirements often mimic those of our native glass/ghost shrimp. I am beginning to suspect they do not require brackish conditions, but instead something we are unable to provide under the normal aquarium setting, some sort of planktonic/larval stage that can only be accomplished in larger and outdoor settings. I know I have kept glass shrimp for years and have never been able to reproduce them in the aquarium, yet they prosper in the drainage ditch just down the road. It has no brackish water and no connection to any waterways to travel that distance. I have a suspicion that BikeGuru is on to something by reproducing them in outdoor ponds and would bet this provides something we can not in a smaller enclosed system. Just my idea, but hopefully that made sense.

this may be a clue as to way 'algae eating shrimp' are showing up in stores and are being mistakenly identified as c.multidentata. they may be a wierd cross breed from these ponds

[R_sustaita]

oh i get ya man.

[Totenkampf]

but a pond can be at times smaller than a tank we have at home, or most of the times bigger too. we should go to his house and see his pond set up.

or if he just posts a video that would be better.

he is not suggesting that water volume is the key, although many pro breeders in malasia appear to use 125+ gallon tanks. he is suggesting that there may be a food source available to them, or some other condition, that we cannot reproduce indoors in a more controlled environment. for many years, people thought it was impossible to reproduce clown loaches and some L-cats at all in captivity but yet they found a way...mostly by accident on our part

[R_sustaita]

but a pond can be at times smaller than a tank we have at home, or most of the times bigger too. we should go to his house and see his pond set up.

or if he just posts a video that would be better.

[mnemenoi]

I have often wondered about Amanos and their 'required' brackish conditions. Almost all are pond bred and their description and requirements often mimic those of our native glass/ghost shrimp. I am beginning to suspect they do not require brackish conditions, but instead something we are unable to provide under the normal aquarium setting, some sort of planktonic/larval stage that can only be accomplished in larger and outdoor settings. I know I have kept glass shrimp for years and have never been able to reproduce them in the aquarium, yet they prosper in the drainage ditch just down the road. It has no brackish water and no connection to any waterways to travel that distance. I have a suspicion that BikeGuru is on to something by reproducing them in outdoor ponds and would bet this provides something we can not in a smaller enclosed system. Just my idea, but hopefully that made sense.

[Totenkampf]

yes, since i have read that amanos need a brackish environment for the interphase growth period. there are slight markings on the sides, maybe they are blue tigers which would be sweet...and with the eyes maybe EK is right and you have OEBT....motherload!

[mnemenoi]

Not sure what those are, with the size I am at a loss until seen further. Perhaps a genetic throwback from the cherries? or could be the Amano's are exhibiting some enviromental factor from the pond enviroment? I'm intrigued and am looking forward to hearing what you think they are.

[R_sustaita]

they may just be blueberry shimp!

[Totenkampf]

so, are you saying that these are blue amano or some unknown cross?

[justdoit]

when available, I would like some and to maybe see your ponds as well :)

[R_sustaita]

i would love to get some from you, just let me know the price

[bikeguru]

The once I took out last night are about 1". did see some larger once but that can be a amano. Will update more after the lights come on in the shrimp room and when I trap some more of them.

[madehtsobi]

I'll take some! =)