Cleaner / Skunk Shrimp

[ozy]

Hi, I am a little confuse from the literature I get from the web/forum and there is not much printed literature I can get my hands on for this:

I used to think that Cleaner Shrimps are the kind of shrimp that are both sexes at the same time. So theoretically, if I place 2 shrimps together, and they are ready for breeding, each will automatically take up the male and female role, or they can self fertilze. This is why sometimes the only 2 shrimps in the tank can both carry eggs.

However, some other websites indicate that the shrimps can store sperm from previous mates and that is why the 2 shrimps, if both females, can also give a successful brood in captivity.

Any experts can help to clarify, and if they can be sexed, what are the features to look out for?

[ozy]

Oh, one more thing:

what are the shrimp species that are distinctly male / female, and what are the shrimp species that are not.

I can infer some from the information I read, and please do correct me if I am wrong.

To start

Coral Band / Boxer - distinctly male/female

Peppermint shrimp - not

###### - distinctly male/female

Fire - ??

Glass / Anemone - ??

Piston / Snapping - distinctly male/female

Harlequin - distinctly male/female

Bumble Bee - ??

Marble - ??

Mantis - distinctly male/female

[BarraCudaTM]

cleaner shrimps are bisexual, they are both male and female depending on the timing of molting.