Is my Mithrax crab pregnant?

[mmoyer]

I've seen one of my Mithraxes open her apron (the wide shell segment on the underside of her body), and inside was an orange mass. I believe these to be eggs, so a couple of questions:

1. I have another Mithrax I acquired 2 weeks ago. Did they breed, or was she preggers when I got her (about 1 month ago)?

2. WHen she frees the eggs, are they all likey to end up in the filter?

3. Has anyone bred Mithrax in captivity?

4. Is she really preggers, or ???

 

[spawner]

Those are eggs, if they are orange, your about 10-15 days from a hatch.

 

[jaymz101]

Culd also be a parasite. Many local crab species get this parasite (which is actually a barnacle) in the apron where females would brood eggs. Should be easy to differentiate though. Eggs look like....well....eggs. The parasite is usually a yellow to orange color and is one uniform piece of tissue. not usually any features evident. Pics would help, but probably eggs.

Here's a pic of the parasite.
http://www.dailynexus.com/news/2003/4456.html

If she does spawn, she will go to a place of high current and flap her apron to disperse the eggs. Most will end up in the filter or in fishes bellies.

 

[spawner]

There are going to eggs 99% of the time. That is not a common thing in this group of crabs.

 

[graveyardworm]

If your lucky enough to have a flashlight on the tank the night she releases the young its really cool and kinda funny to watch.