How do shrimp reproduce?
Shrimp reproduce via eggs. Eggs are produced in the ovaries of the female, which may or may not show up (depending on coloration of species) as a light or dark patch right behind the head area of the female. After the female molts, the male mates with the female (facing each other) depositing his sperm at the opening of the female genital opening. Shortly after, the eggs migrate from the female’s ovaries through her genital opening to the abdomen. As the eggs pass through the female genital opening, they are fertilized by the sperm that had been deposited there by the male earlier. The eggs rest in the pleopod (“swimmerettes”, swimming legs) area of the female. She carries them around wherever she goes. Depending on species, it may take anywhere between 2 weeks to 2 months for the young to hatch. Most dwarf shrimp species take 3-4 weeks to hatch. The hatchlings are tiny, barely visible and only a few millimeters long. Some shrimp species produce fully developed young, whereas others pr
