Larval Stenopus hispidus
- Thread starter Luis A M
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Luis A M
Premium Member
No,this is a "live"project.Larvae are still Z2.As long as they survive,I will keep taking pictures of any obvious different stages.
Problem is that I am not aware of any larval description of Stenopus.
But basically you should expect development to follow the same general line of caridean shrimps:stalked eyes,uropods,pereiopods and pleopods.
I was told that last zoea raised in FIT have claws developed in the 3rd pair.
Problem is that I am not aware of any larval description of Stenopus.
But basically you should expect development to follow the same general line of caridean shrimps:stalked eyes,uropods,pereiopods and pleopods.
I was told that last zoea raised in FIT have claws developed in the 3rd pair.
Yes Luis, I have not been able to find any information with regards to the larval description for Stenopus either. 
I did'nt notice much changes in larval morphology while rearing them (at least from the naked eye). Only they just increased in size while maintaining that overall shape. Hmm, the final larval length for Stenopus in the paper is rather confusing. "Stenopus hispidus larvae metamorphosed into 1 cm juveniles at a total larval body length of 2cm." 
They do appear to be better swimmers and are more active now compared to their first week of life. Have not popped any under the microscope yet. Maybe I'll have a look tomorrow.
I did'nt notice much changes in larval morphology while rearing them (at least from the naked eye). Only they just increased in size while maintaining that overall shape. Hmm, the final larval length for Stenopus in the paper is rather confusing. "Stenopus hispidus larvae metamorphosed into 1 cm juveniles at a total larval body length of 2cm." They do appear to be better swimmers and are more active now compared to their first week of life. Have not popped any under the microscope yet. Maybe I'll have a look tomorrow.
Luis A M
Premium Member
Yes,I assumed the PL has some body flexion that reduces the total lenght.<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7226470#post7226470 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by FuEl
Hmm, the final larval length for Stenopus in the paper is rather confusing. "Stenopus hispidus larvae metamorphosed into 1 cm juveniles at a total larval body length of 2cm."
Besides larvae are usually measured from the tip of the rostrum to the rear edge of the uropods.Larvae have long rostrums.
Anyway my larvae reched the zoea 3 stage,at the age of 12 days.They are molting/changing stages every 6 days,which is about twice as slow than Lysmata larvae.Could result in twice as long larval life
Zoea 3 has the primitive one piece tail fin split into large lateral fins called uropods (exopodites) and a central one called telson,shaped like a fish tail.
and focusing at the tail:
Nice documentation Luis. Yes, growth in Stenopus larvae is indeed terribly slow. The last time I started them off on Artemia but all died by 20+ days while being reared in a beaker. Now I started them off on rotifers and am rearing them in a larger vessel of around 4-5 liters. They seem to be doing much better now, capable of eating blended prawns already.
Firstly great photos Luis and I am also looking for information on the larval stages of CBS.
I am a few months away from trying to raise them but have seen similar shrimp kicked off the female in the tank.
Will hopefully let you both know if there are any developments from here later in the year. But at the moment it is clownfish breeding!
I am a few months away from trying to raise them but have seen similar shrimp kicked off the female in the tank.
Will hopefully let you both know if there are any developments from here later in the year. But at the moment it is clownfish breeding!
Hi NicoleC. I have tried once to raise Alpheus randalli. Pretty much all died as I fed only bbs. If you do try, start off with rotifers. Will save you time trying again.
Luis, I have found that although blended seafood works for Lysmata larvae it's a little more tricky for Stenopus larvae. Just today I noticed a couple of individuals with their uropods tangled together (due to small prawn bits, etc). Most of the food was gone though, meaning they are actually very big eaters! Still racking my head on improving their diet besides using cyclopeeze.
What did you mean by: "trying to raise ornamental shrimp is a masochist game"? :lol:
Luis, I have found that although blended seafood works for Lysmata larvae it's a little more tricky for Stenopus larvae. Just today I noticed a couple of individuals with their uropods tangled together (due to small prawn bits, etc). Most of the food was gone though, meaning they are actually very big eaters! Still racking my head on improving their diet besides using cyclopeeze.
What did you mean by: "trying to raise ornamental shrimp is a masochist game"? :lol:
Luis A M
Premium Member
Zoea 4
Zoea 4
This is Z4 at 16 days.The tail fin is now made of 5 pieces,like in adults.
Two external exopodites,quite large.
Two endopodites,transparent, about as long as the telson.
The central telson,now narrower and tinted red.The rear edge is still "fish tail"shaped.
So far I can only see three pairs of legs (called pereiopods)
All pics in this larval series measure 6.5x5mm.
//http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/568/44505S_hispidus_Z_4.JPG
Zoea 4
This is Z4 at 16 days.The tail fin is now made of 5 pieces,like in adults.
Two external exopodites,quite large.
Two endopodites,transparent, about as long as the telson.
The central telson,now narrower and tinted red.The rear edge is still "fish tail"shaped.
So far I can only see three pairs of legs (called pereiopods)
All pics in this larval series measure 6.5x5mm.
//http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/568/44505S_hispidus_Z_4.JPG
