Oyster reproduction begins at ~68degrees f. Oysters spawn with the female releasing eggs into the water and the male releasing sperm. Within about six hours, a fertilized egg develops into a free-swimming larva that will develop a shell within 12 to 24 hours. Within a few weeks, the shelled larva develops a foot and settles to the bottom of the water, attaching itself to a hard surface--usually the shell of an adult oyster--to enter into metamorphoses into the form that would be recognized as an oyster.
Here is a link to the full web photo album.Spat Collector Photo Album
Oysters usually start life as males and then will convert to females. We do not know if we have enough females in our population to get a successful set. We are placing an apparatus that is coated with a cement mixture that is high in lime. The floating spat are attracted to it and tend to settle on it.
Let's hope for the best!
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