Clam Shrimp, Genus Cyzicus

[iturnrocks]

This is the best photo I have taken so far. Camera is Canon A400, 3.2mp. These little creatures have a lifespan of about 6 months in temporary pools like fairy shrimp and Triops. When threatened they close up in their shells and look just like a tiny clam. This one is an adult about 1/2 inch long. I got 1 good pic out of about 50 blurry ones. That is a Daphnia off the right of its antenna.

 

[cacoseraph]

that is SUCH a cool pic!

do these to the triops style make next years batch and just add water?

i remember your triops posts

awesome awesome pic man!

 

[iturnrocks]

Yes, same deal as Triops, dry out and add water again. This is only the second time Ive had these, and I wont know if any were female for a few months more. I only have 2 this time.

 

[Matt K]

I find these from time to time in vernal pools nearby (within 20 minutes of my home). Neat-o creatures....

 

[Galapoheros]

Great pic! I've found and kept these too but mine didn't last long. I come across them seining around on a floodplain in late Spring. What can you buy to feed them?

 

[iturnrocks]

I dont feed them anything, just light.

 

[Alakdan]

Maybe some bakers yeast will do, like brine shrimp.

 

[cacoseraph]

do they make the shell themselves or borrow one?

 

[Galapoheros]

Come on Andrew, you're hobby is "info collecting", you just messin around with us or is this one of the rare times you didn't look into it? I read they grow the shell. These freaked me out when I found them back in the early 80's. I thought they were clams, then they started swimming around, like a fairy shrimp had gotten stuck inside a clam shell. I worked in a pet store back then and we tried to sell them. But like I said, I couldn't keep them alive long. I read they eat algae and are filter feeders also.

 

[Deathla]

if you want to get some,they usually are on ebay

 

[iturnrocks]

On ebay, search for seller name dadasis. I know he sells this same species, in fact I think he uses one of my photos (with permission).

Yes, the do grow their own shell, and this species lives about 6 months. The clear shelled variety lives about 2 weeks.

The first time I ever found one of the dark shells, I thought it was a little clam too. It wasnt moving, so I put it in a bucket and drove home. I didnt know what I had till I dumped it in an aquarium and it started swimming.

I should have used common sense and realized there probably arent any molluscs in a roadside ditch, but hey, I learn something new every year.