Camel Shrimp (Rhynchocinetes durbanensis) Breeding Guide

Rhynchocinetes durbanensis is a gregarious Indo-Pacific shrimp. Females carry hundreds of eggs hatching in 9–18 days by temperature, but larvae are planktonic.

Overview

Rhynchocinetes durbanensis, the camel or hingebeak shrimp, was first described by Isabella Gordon in 1936. It occurs in the Indo-Pacific in hollows and crevices from 5 to 35 metres deep, growing up to 4 cm (1.6 in), and forms groups of dozens of individuals. The translucent body bears red and white lines, white ocelli and a Y-shaped white mark on the carapace.

Sexing

The species is strongly sexually dimorphic: dominant males possess an enlarged first pair of chelipeds (claws), distinguishing them from females. It is frequently confused with R. uritai and closely resembles R. brucei.

Conditioning

Because the species is gregarious, keeping it in a group reflects its natural social structure and supports pairing. A varied omnivorous diet maintains condition for reproduction.

Spawning & Berried Females

Ovigerous females carry between 267 and 1,764 eggs. Incubation is temperature dependent: eggs hatch about 9 days after spawning at 29.2 degrees Celsius, or about 18 days when the temperature is under 22.0 degrees Celsius.

Larval Care

After hatching the larvae are planktonic before settlement. No whitelisted source documents a practical home protocol for rearing these planktonic larvae to settlement.