Happy Holidays!

Wishing everyone a wonderful Holidays!

Photoburst: Japanese Red Bees

Shrimp Spotlight: Japanese Red Bees pt.2

Hello Followers!

I am alive!! Few might already know, but as of recent, I've been occupied with another interests of mine - gaming. 

It's been nothing but work and gaming for me. My tanks and shrimps have been well kept and maintained but there was little to no time for photography. Now that I've satiated my interests with the game, I'm looping back and giving my shrimps and tanks more attention. This means.... more photos!!

And... one of the best welcoming back I can think of is.... an update on the currently happenings of my Japanese Red Bees colony. 

Observation:

Adding to my last JRB observation, I've had some time to experience and observe their growth and I have to comment that although the babies do start off looking more off-red color, orange as I've stated, but this entry is to confirm that as they mature, their colors will darken and become crimson red. Again, the babies are maturing much faster than the typical Pure Red Lines and their adult size is more "jolly" than their Pure Red Line cousins. Whereas the PRL are more slender and "small" in stature and form, the JRB are rounder and more "wholly" appeal.

To comment on the colors of the white, as I know folks are curious to know, the color isn't completely "white". Unlike their PRL, JRB are off-white, almost pearly white color. It's a creamier color.  Additionally, I've noticing that my JRB have red swimmerets. Yes, RED SWIMMERETS! It just beautiful, and I've very excited to have caught it on photo.

Below are photos, please pardon my poor camera skills. The photos are unfocused as I am a bit rusty.

Shrimp Spotlight: Japanese RedBees

This is an observational update regarding the status of my Japanese RedBees. It's been roughly 3 months now since I've been back from my Japan trip and my Japanese RedBees have had 3 months to breed and grow inside my tanks. The adults survive the journey from Japan to USA and have bred successfully inside my tanks. I’m very happy to report that I am officially out of the “Red” or danger zone. Now that spring is in full swing, both my J.RedBees and J.BlackBees have kicked into full breeding mode. Both bees inside my 25G cubes are very active happy. All of my original female adults are berried.  Their ovens are operating at maximum efficiency although I have to comment that my J.BlackBees is just crushing it! My J.BlackBees colony has undergone a population explosion. The tank is FILLED with babies and young adults.  I feel like my J.RedBees need to play a little catching up if I want to have a strong population to cull by the end of fall 2015.

Observation:

I've made note that J.BlackBees are all born with EXCELLENT colors, whereas the J.RedBees are born with exceptional whites but the red is a bit more of an orange color. At first I was curious and worried about the off-red color that I was experiencing BUT as they grow and mature their colors is darkening and becoming a more crimson color. I don’t know if this is a common thing amongst J.RedBees. Additionally, I have observe that the J.RedBees mature VERY quickly. What I mean to say is juveniles at 3 months are roughly a third of the fully mature adults. This isn't something that should be taken with a grain of salt as J.RedBees is much bigger, on average, than PRL. I don’t know what it is, but it would seem that their genetics dictate their growth to be fuller and bigger than your typical PRL. I have PRL roughly around the same age as my J.RedBees and they look nowhere near breeding size.  Breeding Size? Yes, I am saying breeding size because in the adjacent tank housing my J.BlackBees, babies of 3 month old have started mating and becoming berried.  Babies making babies, yo!

Thank you for reading!

Cheers!

Photoburst: Japanese Bees

Photoburst: Japanese Red Bees

One of the ladies inside the tank experienced their 2nd release because I'm seeing teeny tiny babies clinging on to the substrate and wall of the tank. I'm starting to be less nervous about my JRB because the colony is growing. Starting with only 4 is quite scary but I'm fortunate to have very good parameters due to a few secret prodcuts.

Brave Momma!

Fanning her belly

Handsome male ^.^

I'm not sure what it is that caused the mothers to venture out, but I'm glad they're feeling more comfortable with the tank to venture out and explore. For the longest time they would hide and only the male would patrol the tank. I feel like with the colony growing and their numbers increasing, they are feeling more secure with their environment and venturing out.

Interesting observation:

I added 3 ottos to each of the 25 Cubes and they're doing very well. In the past, I would always have a few die-off whenever I added them to the tank. I would usually only have 1 inside a tank that survives. This time around, all 6 ottos survived and doing exceptionally well.  I never knew ottos like to school. The three would stick together and school together. They look so dark and their skin is very healthy. Both shrimps and fish are doing exceptionally well. There must be some magic in the water. 0_o

Next update will be focused on my OEBT. They need some love. I've had them for 2 months now and the population is doing extremely well. I'm seeing babies everywhere and the young adults have grown into beautiful adults.

Thank you for reading!

Cheers!