The female carries the fertilised eggs with her until they hatch; the time may vary, but is generally less than 3 weeks. Females lay 10,000-50,000 eggs up to five times per year.

From these eggs hatch zoeae, the first larval stage of crustaceans. They go through several larval stages in brackish water before metamorphosing into post-larvae, at which stage they are 0.28 - 0.39 in long and resemble adults. This metamorphosis usually takes place about 32 to 35 days after hatching.