Family: Caridina
Distribution: The Blue Bee Shrimp has its origins in the freshwater streams of China. It was only introduced into the shrimp hobby in early 2008.
PH: 6.5 – 7.0
Temperature: 23– 25°C (74 – 78°F)
Hardness: 3 – 6 dH (General Hardness); 1 – 2 dH (Carbonate Hardness)
Description: This species comes in an array of colours: brown, purple and blue. Males grow a length of 2.5 cm; females are slightly longer. Females have a curved underbelly which can make sexing easier.
Diet: The Blue Bee Shrimp should be fed once a day and not to excess. Shrimp are scavengers by nature and can go for a couple of days without food. You can feed it flake, algae, frozen food, live food, and vegetables.
Breeding: The breeding of this species is simple because it does not require salt water during the larval stage. The female will incubated up to 30 eggs for as long as six weeks. Not much is known about this species as yet, but if you are familiar with the Crystal Red Shrimp of Bee Shrimp you should treat these ones in a similar fashion.
Comments: A 10 litre tank should be enough to house the Blue Bee Shrimp. Provide plants, oak leaves and some root. Remember that the tank must be well oxygenated and have barely any nitrate in it. This species is suitable for beginners and intermediate hobbyists.
Article/Books:
Recommended Compatible Species: Keep six of these species together at the one time. Fish will look to eat the baby shrimp, so be careful if you are planning on breeding them. Snails will obviously cause no threat to the Blue Bee Shrimp. Tetras, Endlers Livebears, Guppies and most Killiefish can be housed with this species.
Originally posted 2009-12-20 10:49:41. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Comments on this entry are closed.