Rod's Shrimp

I got my new manual Micro-Nikkor 55mm f2.8 lens for my birthday (Thanks Anna!). The "fishy" lens as it had been referred to around here for a while when I started looking for a new macro type lens to do some nice closeups of the shrimp.

I wanted a new lens that let me get physically close up to the tank to take some closeup shots with my DSLR. My previous macro lens required me to be several feet away in order to focus on anything. That's fine for flowers, but I wanted to be sitting close to the shrimp to take their pictures, not across the room.  It's nice to be able to use the DSLR, even if the lens I could afford for it means everything is done manually.

These are the result of my first photo session playing with the new lens.

So I probably should have mentioned it at the beginning of the week, but Momma Shrimp is pregnant again with her 4th batch of eggs. but today we saw that there are 2 other expectant mothers among the Blue Velvets.

Unfortunately a Red Cherry mother over in the Betta tank passed away this week, but as the cherries are only  really there to entertain Betta Ray Bill I'm not overly saddened by the loss. considering that at last count we have at least 17 shrimp in that colony that started out with just 7 we are up by more than 100%

The Blue Velvets are definitely about to hit that point where I need to move some into the new tank, or find new homes for some of them.

Still no new mothers among the Crystal Reds, but given a little time I think we will see one.

I haven't been able to get any good photos yet of the expectant mother shrimp, but I'll probably have some later this weekend.

This week saw 15 new Crystal Red and Golden Bee shrimp from Mindy arrive and be added to the 10 Gallon tank.



Some of the blue shrimp will be moving out in September. Some moving to the 16 Gallon tank when I feel it is ready, some to my cousin Daniel's (Mr MacPherson to his students I assume) kindergarten class. Some of the crystals will move to a tank at Anna's office.
Right now everyone is getting along great, the new shrimp have coloured up a bit (their colours were less vibrant after shipping due to stress, but the reds are getting redder and maybe it's just me, or a trick of the light but I think their whites are getting whiter too. 

It's been a little while since I posted anything here, so it's time for an update.


Momma's 3rd batch of baby shrimp are about to be born any time now.
There are some young female shrimp in the tank that are reaching maturity, one looks like she could be a mommy shrimp some day soon.

While other Blue Velvets will become mothers, there will only ever be one "Momma".

The 16 gallon tank is on hold for now as I'm working on a 3D background (fake rock cliff) to give the shimp multiple levels and some caves and nooks to hide out in. It's made of scrap styrofoam covered in cement, so the cement will take a month or so to properly cure before it and the shrimp can safely share tank space.

3 of my Blue Velvets from Momma's first brood have found a new home in the guppy tank where Anna works. Reportedly they are doing fine and the tank is looking a lot cleaner since they moved in. Shrimp are awesome roommates.

Speaking of cleaning up... here's a video I got …

Red-Blue Rili, one of Momma's offspring.
I kind of like how it's just his tail and rostrum (nose area) that's red.