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A berried mom dropped some eggs when it got startled by another Opae Ula. Saw an Alpha grab one and was able to record an Opae Ula grab one. I guess eggs get eaten too.

Oh dear The circle of life sucks sometimes! I guess shrimp are not picky eaters.

I wonder if free swimming larvae could also be eaten, every day I see less of them in my tank. Maybe additional high protein food during that time could prevent some loses?

Yes, I hear stories of other owners not seeing free swimming larvae. Either they became post larvae/juvenile and are hiding or too small to see; died of whatever reason and have been eaten by tank mates; eaten by other Opae Ula (I personally never seen); eaten by other tank mates (I have Dwarf Hawaiian Hermit crabs and Alpha Opae Ula and never seen it but doesnt mean it doesnt happen); attacked by a mean Opae Ula and then eaten by others (I think this happens); or just hidden and cant be seen. Some people noticed missing larvae but see juvenile later.

I personally have a separate tank just for larvae and have a higher success rate of survival. Some people have high success rates just leaving it alone.

I think that is a really good idea to have a separate tank for the larvae, any predation by the adults can be eliminated. Have you ever observed your free swimming larvae eating anything? Do you move them between tanks the same way like adults on your video?

Or you can have a breeder box. Odin posted one that is nice. I never observed, I think they still survive on the yolk sac and microscopic foods when they wiggle their arms? I use a regular drinking straw.

From this video of mine it seems like they still have a yolk sac.

Yup, from what i have read the larvae use their yolk sac for food while they are swimming vertically.

From this video of mine it seems like they still have a yolk sac.

Awesome camera work! What equipment can get you that close?

Yup, from what i have read the larvae use their yolk sac for food while they are swimming vertically

Good to know, I had a temptation to feed them, no need to pollut the water than

iPhone with a macro lens. I believe Ebay an Amazon sells it.

Green saddle at 45 sec mark?