Taiwan bee shrimp (Caridina cantonensis) are a fascinating species of dwarf shrimp. They are able to produce a variety of interesting colorations and patterns.
They were once considered one of the hardest to breed and keep, but they have been stabilized by hobbyists. Keeping them requires knowledge of their water temperature and feeding habits, especially for crystal black shrimp grading.
Breeding
The Caridina genus of freshwater shrimp is one of the most dazzling and diverse groups of inverts available to hobbyists today, offering a plethora of eye-catching variants for enthusiasts. While a number of these coveted creatures can be found in local fish stores, many hobbyists prefer to procure more exotic strains from breeders or internet retailers. The trouble is, each species thrives within a narrower range of conditions than its more readily available cousins in the genus Neocaridina (such as red cherry shrimp), and this can pose some serious challenges for those interested in raising them.
The Taiwan bee shrimp, for instance, have become among the most sought-after specimens in the hobby due to their mesmerizing crimson hues and stunning patterns. This coveted aesthetic, which can be traced back to the meticulous breeding efforts of Taiwanese breeders, represents an undeniable pinnacle of genetic refinement and consistency, and as such, commands premium prices from eager collectors.
Despite their impressive visual spectacle, Taiwan bees are among the most difficult to raise and breed, and as such, their rarer appearances can often sell for hundreds of dollars. Luckily, however, the Taiwan bee is proving to be an increasingly manageable species, and with a few helpful hints and a bit of patience, any hobbyist can cultivate their very own gorgeous specimens.
As with any other type of aquarium organism, a bee shrimp’s health relies on proper water quality. For the freshwater specimen, this means a strict adherence to a variety of parameters, including pH, GH, and KH. As we will discuss in future lessons, all of these factors are closely linked to an aquarium’s health and should be carefully monitored.
It’s also important to keep in mind that bee shrimp are poikilothermic, meaning they’re sensitive to changes in water temperature. As such, a sudden shift in tank temperatures can be extremely detrimental to their health, as it can slow or even halt molting processes. For these reasons, it’s best to stock a new aquarium with a few bee shrimp at a time and feed them sparingly until they are fully acclimated to the water environment.
Feeding
Caridina cantonensis, also known as Taiwan bee shrimp, are one of the most interesting shrimp breeds in aquaristics. They are incredibly colorful and extremely sensitive, making them difficult to care for for beginners. In order to thrive, they require active substrate, remineralized RO/DI water and a well-established tank with stable water parameters. Because of this, they are best kept in a larger aquarium or a separate breeding tank.
King Kongs are a classic variation of the Taiwan bee shrimp with a strong black base and snow-white stripes on their abdomen. This contrast makes them shine in the aquarium, especially when they are kept on dark substrate or in moss layouts. They are omnivorous and can be fed a variety of foods including vegetables, frozen bloodworms, fish pellets and biofilm. However, it is recommended to only feed them what they can consume within an hour or two to avoid overfeeding.
While it is possible to keep a Taiwan bee and a normal bee together, this can result in mix-offs, where the first daughter generation will look like bee shrimp on the outside but have shadow genes on their abdomens. It is better to only breed a single species of shrimp to ensure the offspring are pure in color.
As with all Caridina cantonensis, King Kongs are best kept in a large tank. They are a bit more sensitive than other crystal shrimp, and smaller tanks can be tricky for them to adjust to. A minimum of a 10 gallon tank is recommended, and this size should be used when starting to breed them in particular. This way, water changes will not compromise the stability of the water parameters and they will be able to grow to their full potential. Investing in a good quality test kit is also advisable, so you can be sure your water is safe for the shrimp. A kit that measures ammonia, nitrite, GH and KH is ideal. This will give you an accurate overview of the status of your tank water, and help you identify any issues that need to be addressed.
Water Temperature
The bee shrimp (Caridina cf. cantonensis) is one of the most diversified and popular shrimp species in the hobby today. It is however a bit peculiar in that it thrives within a much narrower range of conditions than its more adaptable cousins in the genus Neocaridina, including the well-known red cherry shrimp.
The general consensus among shrimp breeders is that bee shrimp like waters that don’t exceed 74°F. Water temperatures higher than this tend to deplete oxygen levels and be suffocating to the shrimp. It is also important to remember that a heater isn’t necessary in all cases, especially if the tank is kept in a warmer environment.
Another important thing to keep in mind when breeding bee shrimp is the fact that they are very sensitive to poisons build-up in the water, especially leftover food particles and droppings. Even in a perfectly cycled and filtered tank these poisons can cause serious problems for the shrimp, so it is crucial to stock a new tank slowly and only after some time has passed since the previous tank was set up or stocked.
Additionally, it is important to only feed bee shrimp a few times a week and always to remove all leftover food after two hours at the latest, as this will prevent unwanted bacterial growth. This is because the bacteria in a shrimp tank that are responsible for breaking down waste and toxins can get overwhelmed and die if there’s too much of a sudden influx of organic material.
Finally, it is a good idea to only use high-quality Red Bee Sand in your tank. This special type of sand doesn’t contain any fertilizer additives and is absolutely safe for the shrimp to walk on. This is very important because the shrimp will easily absorb all kinds of harmful substances from the sand, including ammonia and nitrite which can’t be detected with drip tests and therefore will be poisoning the shrimp. Ideally, nitrite should never be detectable in the tank, but if it is it’s important to act quickly and do regular water changes until the level goes down again.
Lighting
A good lighting system is a key to successful breeding Taiwan Bee shrimp. The shrimp feels most comfortable in room temperature, especially in the summer, so it is important that aquarium temperatures do not climb above 25 degC. Higher temperatures can cause oxygen depletion and stronger reproduction of bacteria, which is detrimental for the health of the shrimp.
The Black Panda Shrimp prefers oxygen-rich, rather cool and clean water. Tap water is not suitable for this type of shrimp. It is therefore advisable to use osmosis water or demineralized water remineralized with special hardening salt for bee shrimp. It is also recommended to use an active soil that stabilizes the water values in a range favorable for this sensitive species. It is also advisable to perform regular water changes of 10 to 30% every week.
Breeding Taiwan Bee shrimp is not very difficult if the keeping conditions are optimal. After a gestation period of three to four weeks, the female will release 20 to 40 young. Like all other Caridina species, Taiwan Bees do not grow as fast as bee shrimp and need to be fed regularly with various dust foods to achieve their full potential.
In terms of color, the Black Panda is one of the most sought-after varieties of Taiwan Bee shrimp. Its banded color pattern is very striking and makes a great addition to any tank. As a result, the Black Panda is a popular choice among collectors and hobbyists. The Black Panda can be crossed with CRS to create hybrid shrimps, but it is important not to cross it with Fancy Tiger shrimp, because this would devalue the pureblood line of Taiwan Bee.
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