Mantis Shrimp mating/eggs

[Elvis48]

Hello. I have a small lime green mantis shrimp, that I've had for several months now. Just the other day, a nice little egg sack appeared on her. I was just curious about gestation periods and whether eggs may be produced without a male fertilizing them.

There's certainly the possibility that she mated well before I bought her. So, I was just curious about how long after mating, an egg sac might appear. Or, if the possibility exists of a female producing an unfertilized egg sac without the presence of a male. Any info would be appreciated, Thanks.

 

[Fartin'Gary]

The female can store sperm for quite a while. If and when they hatch, the fry won't survive. They require an immediate tank of their own with protection from filtration and a food source which isn't commercially available. Plus they eat each other. But that is very cool. Just be happy you get to see it.

 

[Gonodactylus]

Females can store sperm for several months, but only until they molt. The sperm storage organ is shed with the molt skin.

Roy