Sally Lightfoot laying eggs??

[don103]

I have a few very healthy Sally Lightfoot crabs in my NC24 and just a few minutes ago as I was watching my tank a lightfoot crab stood on top of my rock and started shaking and the plate under its body opened up and what I believe was thousands of eggs came out.She's done it four times now!Does anyone know if thats how they reproduce?Really cool to see this and the fish are going crazy trying to eat all the eggs!
Don

 

[capncapo]

Are you sure they are eggs? Could be spawn.

Either way, it's some excellent food for your tank.

 

[don103]

excuse my ignorance...whats spawn?

 

[greenbean36191]

They would be larvae, not eggs. They hold the eggs under their abdomen until they hatch and then flap their apron to release the larvae.

 

[don103]

Thanks for the replies,really cool thing about this hobby is I constantly learn new things!Shes done it about 6 or 7 times now,amazing to watch!I guess theres no chance any will live the way the fish are eating them up?
Don