Panda Shrimp care guide
Panda Shrimp (Caridina cantonensis var. 'Panda') — minimum tank 40 L, temperature 22-25 °C, pH 5.8-6.5.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Panda Shrimp (Caridina cantonensis var. 'Panda') is a freshwater dwarf shrimp of the family Atyidae, listed in the Aquairi knowledge base as an expert-level species. It belongs to the selectively bred Caridina cantonensis bee-shrimp complex and requires soft, slightly acidic, low-TDS water. Black-and-white Taiwan Bee with crisp, contrasting white bands on jet-black body. Same demanding husbandry as BKK.
Taxonomy
- Family: Atyidae
- Genus: Caridina
- Scientific name: Caridina cantonensis var. 'Panda'
- Common synonyms: Panda Bee
Habitat
The wild ancestor Caridina cantonensis is native to montane streams of southern China and Hong Kong, where it occupies soft, slightly acidic, well-oxygenated water above shaded leaf litter. Modern selectively bred lines such as Crystal, Taiwan Bee and Pinto descend from this ancestor and have been intensively inbred in Japan and Taiwan since the 1990s. The Aquairi knowledge base records this entry from: Taiwan (selectively bred).
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 40 L (10.6 US gal)
- Adult size: 2-3 cm
- Temperature: 22-25 °C (72-77 °F)
- pH: 5.8-6.5
- GH: 4-6 °dGH
- KH: 0-1 °dKH
- Lifespan: 1-2 years
Diet
A grazing detritivore. In the aquarium the shrimp continuously feeds on biofilm, soft algae, decaying plant matter and dropped food. A small daily ration of a shrimp-formulated sinking pellet, occasional blanched spinach or zucchini and rare protein wafers keep the colony in good condition without polluting the water.
Compatibility
Peaceful and best kept in a colony of ten or more in a stable, well-cycled, planted aquarium. Suitable tank mates listed in the Aquairi knowledge base: Otocinclus. Should be kept away from: Neocaridina, Most fish, Crayfish.
Breeding
Reproduces in fresh water without a planktonic larval stage. Mature females develop ripe ovaries visible as a yellow or olive "saddle" on the back; after a successful moult they are fertilised by males and carry the fertilised eggs under the pleopods for roughly three to four weeks before juveniles hatch as miniature fully-formed shrimp. Stable parameters and absence of predation are the main success factors. Bee-shrimp colour lines are highly inbred and demand precisely controlled soft, acidic, low-TDS water for reliable breeding and pattern fidelity.
Panda Shrimp Breeding Guide
Overview
The Panda is a black-and-white Taiwan Bee morph of Caridina cantonensis with crisp white bands on a jet-black body. It shares the species' direct-developing reproduction, so eggs hatch into miniature adults, and it needs the same soft, low-mineral husbandry as Black King Kong.
The Shrimp Farm describes breeding Pandas as far from the easiest project, partly because the offspring of two highly selected Pandas can be too weak to survive.
Sexing
The Shrimp Farm notes that female Pandas are larger and more brightly coloured than males, and it is the female that carries eggs between her swimmerets. Wikipedia adds that females release pheromones to trigger male mate-searching.
Conditioning
Provide a fully cycled, stable tank with soft water; The Shrimp Farm recommends a temperature of roughly 18-24 °C (65-75 °F) for Caridina and plenty of hiding places such as Java fern and shrimp shelters to keep the colony secure.
- Active substrate buffering pH below 7.0
- Sponge or guarded filter to protect tiny shrimplets
- Light daily feeding of biofilm and prepared shrimp food
Breeding Setup
The Shrimp Farm advises that Caridina need an active substrate buffering the water below pH 7.0, with GH around 2-5 and KH 0-2. A tank of about 38 L (10 gal) or larger gives the stability these fragile shrimp need, and a single-species setup avoids cross-breeding with other Caridina morphs.
Spawning & Berried Females
Per The Shrimp Farm, the female carries small eggs between her swimmerets for about 30 days, fanning them constantly. This matches Wikipedia's figure of roughly 28 days to hatching at about 22 °C for the species.
Shrimplet/Larval Care
Panda shrimplets emerge as fully formed, independent miniatures and graze on biofilm in a mature tank. No larval rearing or salinity change is required; a seasoned, stable environment is the key to survival.
Common Challenges
The main risks are parameter instability and inbreeding. The Shrimp Farm warns that breeding Panda to Panda can yield offspring too weak to survive, so planning bloodlines is essential. High temperatures also reduce egg survival according to Wikipedia, making a cool, stable tank important.