MATING BEHAVIOR AND SPAWNING OF THE BANDED CORAL SHRIMP STENOPUS HISPIDUS IN THE LABORATORY

Abstract

Mating behavior and relative fecundity, egg weight, and egg volume were investigated in the banded coral shrimp Stenopus hispidus. The effect of fluctuating temperature (4-6?C and 1.5-2?C difference between day and night) on fecundity was also tested. The relative fecundity was 1,229 ? 467 (mean ? SD) eggs/brood/g of female (wet body weight, WBW); egg volume was 0.0628 ? 0.0050 mm3 (mean ? SD); and dry egg weight was 35.1 ? 2.9 jug/egg (mean ? SD). Linear relationship between total length of the shrimp and relative fecundity was significant (P = 0.01), and there was a significant negative relationship between egg volume and relative fecundity (P = 0.03). High temperature fluctuation (4-6?C) resulted in lower dry egg weight (P = 0.0079). Mating behavior in Stenopus hispidus is described for the first time. It occurs in the following sequence: antennule contact, erection of female body, grasping, mating, and spawning. Females can mate successfully within 24 h after molting. Cleaner shrimps remove and consume parasites, injured tissue, and possibly considerable food particles from fishes, such as the white-spotted moray and blue tang in coral reef systems (Limbaugh et al., 1961; Jonasson, 1987), and thus play a vital role in the system. Because of their colorful body and the relative ease with which they can be maintained in a marine aquarium environment, adult cleaner shrimps are popular in the marine aquarium industry. However, removal of cleaner shrimps from the natural environment will result in a reduction of reef fish abun