Golden Bee Shrimp
English name: Golden Bee Shrimp
Scientific name: Caridina cantonensis var. "Golden Bee"
Origin: The wild type hails from Asia
Size: 1 in / 1.2 in (male/female) 2.5 cm / 3 cm
Water temperature: 64 - 78 °F / 18 - 25.5 °C
Recommended pH range: 6.2 to 6.8
Difficulty: easy to medium
Breeding rate: high
Introduction to Golden Bee Shrimp
The Golden Bee shrimp is a golden/orange variant of Caridina cantonensis. Some shrimp keepers grade this variant based on the intensity of the white coloration.
Geographical origin and habitat
The Golden Bee shrimp is a variant of Caridina cantonensis. Unfortunately, we know nothing about its early history and the developer the variant. It is rumoured to have been developed in Japan.
The outside shell of this shrimp is white, while the orange/golden colour is actually in the flesh. A Golden Bee shrimp kept in a suitable environment will usually develop a more intense all-white coloration. If the environment becomes less ideal, e.g. if the water quality drops, the white coloration can begin to fade and eventually disappear altogether.
Keeping Golden Bee Shrimp
The Golden Bee shrimp does best in acidic water; pH 6.2-6.8. The water must also be soft, keep the gH between 4 and 6 and the kH in the 1-2 range. The levels of soluble waste must be kept low.
Avoid rapid changes, even if they are to the better. Changes must be slow and gradual.
If you encounter a problem with high levels of soluble waste, it is okay to let the Golden Bee shrimp go without food for a few days while you get the situation under control. It is better for the shrimp to be without food than to live in water with a lot of waste.
If you house Golden Bee shrimp with Crystal Red shrimp they will mate and produce offspring together.
Feeding Golden Bee Shrimp
The Golden Bee shrimp is chiefly an alga eating shrimp, but it will also scavenge for food. Keep it on a varied diet that includes plenty of algae / green food to ensure optimal health. You can for instance combine blanched lettuce, zucchini and spinach with prepared algae foods like algae wafers and flakes. Many aquarium shops sell species shrimp food. Occasional meaty threats in the form of bloodworms or similar will be greatly appreciated. Natural algae growth in the aquarium is beneficial, since it allows the shrimp to carry out its normal feeding behaviour.
Do not feed your Golden Bee shrimp more than what it can devour in 2-3 hours. If your shrimp seem reluctant to come out and search for food, try feeding it when the lights are out. If this is not enough, provide it with more hiding spots in the aquarium and check if any tank mates are harassing it.
Sexing and breeding Golden Bee Shrimp
Sexing Golden Been shrimp is not very difficult since females grow larger than males and have a curved underbelly. The females develop a saddle when they become sexually mature.
Breeding Golden Bee shrimps is not very tricky; just keep in the conditions recommended above. Golden Bee shrimps that are happy and healthy will usually commence reproduction without any further coaxing from the aquarist.
The eggs are brown, while the emerging offspring have the same colouration as their parents. As they grow larger, the white will become more and more intense.
Golden Bee shrimp will mate and produce offspring with Crystal Red shrimp if housed together.
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