Photos © Sean Evans
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Common name: | Bee Shrimp |
Scientific name: | Caridina cantonensis var "New Bee" |
Synonyms: | |
Size: | Approx 1" (2.5cm). |
Origin: | China and Taiwan. |
Tank setup: | Ideal for planted nano tanks. Also suitable for planted community tanks with small and peaceful fish. |
Compatibility: | Peaceful with other shrimp and fish, but likely to be eaten by anything but the smallest and most peaceful fish. |
Temperature: | Tolerate cooler temperatures, but 22-25oC (72-77oF) ideal. |
Water chemistry: | Soft to medium hard and pH around neutral to slightly alkaline is ideal, but not critical as a wide range is tolerated. |
Feeding: | Omnivores, will eat algae and scavenge most other foods. Use good quality flake, granular and pellet foods. Specific shrimp foods are also available. |
Sexing: | Females can be clearly identified when carrying eggs. |
Breeding: | Easy to breed provided good water quality is maintained. Keep temp around 24oC (75oF).
Eggs are carried by the female and hatch into miniature versions of the adults. |
Comments: |
These eye-catching little shrimp are ideal algae eaters and general scavenge feeders for peaceful planted tanks, or entertaining in their own right for a small species tank.
For breeding purposes, they should be housed alone, as the tiny young are likely to be eaten even by small fish.
The common name of Bee Shrimp is also used for Caridina breviata and another C. cantonensis variant sometimes known as "Wild Bee Shrimp".
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