No they feed them before birth. The embryos start with a small yolk but soon have well developed mouths and after the yolk is gone they lie in there drinking milk from the sac walls.
It technically makes them viviparous (continuing to give nutrients to live embryo in real time as opposed to an egg with a yolk)
I have not been able to find details but as far as I can see the filter is a “larva substitute” so presumably it gets inserted before birth.
Brood sack (like a placenta) is in abdomen and the milk is secreted into it.
I’d say it is a delicate operation but it’s not a liquefied mess, it’s a bunch of baby insects sucking the walls.
I’m glad because I have a visual memory.
No they feed them before birth. The embryos start with a small yolk but soon have well developed mouths and after the yolk is gone they lie in there drinking milk from the sac walls.
It technically makes them viviparous (continuing to give nutrients to live embryo in real time as opposed to an egg with a yolk)
I have not been able to find details but as far as I can see the filter is a “larva substitute” so presumably it gets inserted before birth.
Brood sack (like a placenta) is in abdomen and the milk is secreted into it.
I’d say it is a delicate operation but it’s not a liquefied mess, it’s a bunch of baby insects sucking the walls.
Photo of one giving birth
Scientific paper about the milk that gives the above details.