Some Marine Invertebrates of Interest for Captive Sexual Reproduction

Group/Species	General Sexual Reproduction Information	Captive Sexual Reproductive Activity	Other Notes:
True Crabs
Mithraculus sculptus (emerald crabs)	brooders	possible, but difficult	The brooding female usually releases the larvae at night. The larvae are delicate and need to be housed in a kreisel. They must also be fed in order for them to survive (though they can live up to 3 days without food).
Mithraculus forceps	brooders	possible, but difficult	(see above) Lab research reports greater success raising M. forceps larvae than M. sculptus larvae.
Lybia tesselata	brooders	thought to be possible, but difficult	The eggs turn color before hatching.
Gastropoda & Polyplacophora
Cerith sp.		depends on species	It seems that some species reproduce (via unknown means) in home aquaria without any aquarist assistance. Other species don’t appear to reproduce in captivity at all. However, most all species seen in reef aquariums can be caught laying on glass and rocks (often in zig zag patterns).
select tropical Collonista sp.		reproduce in home aquariums without aquarist assistance
Columbellids, Euplica sp.	egg layer	reproduce in home aquariums without aquarist assistance	These snails are sometimes misindentified as Strombus maculates
Cyprea annulus (Money Cowries)	egg layer	These snails are known to lay eggs which hatch into larvae without aquarist assistance.	For whatever reason, survival of the larvae appears to be the challenge to successfully breeding these snails in captivity.
select tropical Nassarius sp.	egg layer	reproduce in home aquariums without aquarist assistance	Depending on species, these snails will reproduce in home aquariums without aquarist assistance or not at all.
Trochus stellatus	broadcast spawner	These snails are known to reproduce in captivity, especially with aquarist assistance.	Because these animals are broadcast spawners, they usually need an aquarist to ensure that eggs and sperm come into contact for fertilization. Otherwise few, if any, larvae result from spawning events.
select tropical Turbo sp.		depends on species, some reproduce in home aquariums without aquarist assistance
Scutus sp.	broadcast spawner	sometimes reproduce in aquariums even without aquarist assistance	Because these animals are broadcast spawners, they would likely benefit from aquarist assistance to ensure egg fertilization.
Stomatella varia	probably broadcast spawners	reproduce in home aquariums without aquarist assistance	The perfect reef tank snail.
Shrimp
Hymenocera picta (harlequin shrimp) Hymenocera elegans (harlequin shrimp)	brooders	Some aquarists have been able to raise the larvae through a few stages of development, but have been unable to see them settle.	The brooding female usually releases the larvae at night. The larvae are delicate and need to be housed in a kreisel. They must also be fed in order for them to survive. Unfortunately, finding an appropriate food source (and density) has proved to be a challenge.
Thor amboinensis (sexy shrimp)	brooders
Lysmata amboinensis Lysmata grabhami (skunk cleaner shrimp)	brooders	Captive rearing of larvae to adulthood has been accomplished in labs. However, there has been little success among hobbyists.	The brooding female usually releases the larvae at night. The larvae are delicate and need to be housed in a kreisel. They must also be fed in order for them to survive. Unfortunately, finding an appropriate food source (and density) has proved to be a challenge. Imperfect kresisels/housing may also be an issue along with possible contamination/disease problems.
Lysmata debelius (fire shrimp)	brooders	Captive rearing of larvae has been accomplished by hobby aquarists.	http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2004/breeder.htm
Lysmata wurdemanni (peppermint shrimp)	brooders	Captive rearing of larvae to adulthood has been accomplished in labs. However, there has been little success among hobbyists.	The brooding female usually releases the larvae at night. The larvae are delicate and need to be housed in a kreisel. They must also be fed in order for them to survive. Unfortunately, finding an appropriate food source (and density) has proved to be a challenge. Imperfect kresisels/housing may also be an issue along with possible contamination/disease problems.
Stenopus sp. (banded coral shrimp)	brooders, form strong mated pairs	Some aquarists have been able to raise the larvae through a few stages of development, but have been unable to see them settle..	Spawning usually occurs at night approximately every 2 weeks (give or take a few days depending on species). The larvae should be fed right away (may be prone to cannibalism).
Enchinoderms
Family Ophiactidae		Several aquarium species reproduce in home aquariums without aquarist assistance.	This family includes colored mini and micro brittle stars.
Family Amphiuridae		Several aquarium species reproduce in home aquariums without aquarist assistance.	This family includes white mini brittle stars.
Family Asterinidae		Several aquarium species reproduce in home aquariums without aquarist assistance	This family includes “astrea” or “mini sea stars”
Urchins	broadcast spawners	thought possible	some new information should be available soon
Cephalopods
Sepia bandensis		successfully bred and raised in captivity	http://www.thecephalopodpage.org/Sepiabandensis.php
Other
Clibanarius sp. (marine hermit crabs)	brooders	Captive rearing of larvae has been accomplished by hobby aquarists.	Determining the sex of these animals can be quite difficult.