Pinto Shrimp (Caridina cantonensis var. pinto) Care Guide

Black King Kong (BKK) Breeding Guide

Overview

Black King Kong (BKK) is a premium Taiwan Bee line of Caridina cantonensis with a nearly solid jet-black body. It belongs to the same species as Crystal and bee shrimp and reproduces by direct development — eggs hatch into miniature adults, with no larval or brackish stage. Taiwan Bee lines such as BKK, Panda and Pinto share this demanding, low-mineral husbandry.

Colour grade and pattern in Taiwan Bee shrimp are heritable, but the line carries little genetic diversity, so breeding programmes must manage inbreeding to keep offspring strong.

Sexing

Females are larger with a deeper abdomen used to carry eggs. Wikipedia notes females signal readiness with pheromones and males then swim actively to find them, behaviour easily observed in a mature colony.

Conditioning

Keep BKK in a stable, well-aged tank with very soft, acidic water. Taiwan Bee Caridina prefer soft water and cooler-than-tropical temperatures; The Shrimp Farm cites roughly 18-24 °C (65-75 °F) for bee-line shrimp. Light daily feeding of biofilm and prepared shrimp foods supports steady egg production.

• Active soil substrate buffering pH below 7.0
• Remineralised RO water held at a low, stable TDS
• Gentle, guarded filtration so shrimplets are not drawn in

Breeding Setup

BKK sits at the soft, acidic extreme of the bee line. The Shrimp Farm recommends GH around 4-6, KH 0-2 and a pH below 7.0 for Taiwan Bee Caridina, with parameter stability mattering more than hitting an exact number. A single-species tank prevents cross-breeding with other Caridina morphs.

Spawning & Berried Females

The berried female fans her eggs with the pleopods to keep water moving across them. The Shrimp Farm gives an incubation of about 30 days for bee-line Caridina, consistent with the roughly 28 days at 22 °C reported by Wikipedia for the species.

Shrimplet/Larval Care

BKK young hatch as fully formed shrimplets only a few millimetres long and are immediately independent. They graze on biofilm and detritus, so success depends on a mature tank rather than special larval feeding.

Common Challenges

As an inbred high-grade line, BKK is sensitive to any instability in TDS, pH or temperature; Wikipedia notes high temperatures reduce egg survival and raise mortality. Inbreeding can also produce weak offspring, so introducing fresh, compatible bloodlines helps maintain colony vigour.

caridina cantonensis black king kong

Breeding Black Tiger Shrimp (Caridina cantonensis)

Overview

The Black Tiger is a tiger-patterned bee shrimp, Caridina cantonensis, with deep black stripes on a translucent body, originating from the Guangdong region of China. It develops directly with no larval stage. It is somewhat less demanding than the Crystal lines but still wants soft water and the stable conditions all bee shrimp need.

Sexing

In keeping with the bee-shrimp pattern, females are larger with a deeper abdomen for carrying eggs, while males are smaller and slimmer. A mature female rounds out under the tail and may show developing eggs through the translucent body.

Conditioning

Keep a mixed-sex colony on stable soft water and feed sparingly with biofilm, algae and shrimp foods. The 24-25 C (75-77 F) range that Wikipedia ties to strongest bee-shrimp colour suits breeding too; steady parameters are the main spawn trigger.

Breeding Setup

• Minimum tank volume: 30 L for a stable colony
• Temperature: 22-26 C (72-79 F)
• pH: 6.0-7.2 (soft); GH 4-8 dGH; KH 0-4 dKH
• Low to moderate TDS with stable chemistry
• Sponge filter and dense moss for shrimplets
• Stable parameters; avoid swings

Spawning & Berried Females

On suitable water the female carries the eggs beneath her abdomen and they hatch into miniature adults. Wikipedia gives an expected hatch of about 28 days at 22 C (72 F) for bee shrimp. Keep conditions stable while she is berried so she does not drop the clutch.

Shrimplet Care

Shrimplets graze biofilm from the first day, so a mature, biofilm-rich tank with dense moss provides first food and shelter. Exclude predatory fish. The tiger striping firms up as the juveniles grow, so select for crisp, dark stripes.

Common Challenges

Although hardier than CRS, the Black Tiger is still a bee shrimp and reacts badly to unstable water. It interbreeds with other Caridina cantonensis morphs, including the Crystal lines, so isolate it to keep the tiger pattern. Caridina cantonensis does not interbreed with the separate genus Neocaridina.

Blue Tiger Shrimp Breeding Guide

Overview

The Blue Tiger is a selectively bred steel-blue tiger-patterned form of Caridina cantonensis, a dwarf shrimp whose wild ancestors come from streams of southern China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Like all Caridina cantonensis morphs, it is a direct developer: eggs hatch into miniature copies of the adult, so no separate larval or brackish phase is involved.

Because the line has been bred for colour, it is more sensitive to water values than hardier shrimp and is generally rated an intermediate breeding project.

Sexing

Mature females are larger than males and have a deeper, more curved abdomen that forms a pouch for carrying eggs. According to Wikipedia, females release pheromones when ready to mate, prompting males to swim actively in search of them.

Conditioning

Keep a stable, fully cycled tank with soft, slightly acidic water close to the pH of the shrimp's native streams. Caridina cantonensis lines do best with soft water and cooler-than-tropical temperatures; The Shrimp Farm recommends roughly 18-24 °C (65-75 °F) for bee-line Caridina.

• Use an active, pH-buffering substrate to hold water below 7.0
• Feed a varied diet of biofilm, algae and prepared shrimp foods once daily
• Maintain low organic load with gentle filtration and regular partial water changes

Breeding Setup

A mature single-species tank is the most reliable setup. The Shrimp Farm notes Caridina bee-line shrimp prefer GH around 4-6, KH 0-2 and a pH below 7.0; the Blue Tiger tolerates the looser end of the tiger range. RO water remineralised to a low TDS is commonly used to keep these values steady.

Spawning & Berried Females

After mating the female carries the fertilised eggs beneath her abdomen, fanning them with her pleopods to keep water circulating. Wikipedia reports that at about 22 °C eggs hatch in roughly 28 days; The Shrimp Farm gives a comparable figure of around 30 days for bee-line Caridina.

Shrimplet/Larval Care

Eggs hatch directly into tiny, fully formed shrimplets that are immediately independent and only a couple of millimetres long. They graze on biofilm and fine detritus in a mature tank; no special larval feeding or salinity change is required.

Common Challenges

Sudden swings in pH, temperature or TDS are the main cause of failed broods and adult losses. High temperatures, per Wikipedia, reduce egg survival and raise mortality, so keep parameters stable and avoid mixing with hardier Neocaridina, which prefer very different water.

caridina cantonensis blue tiger

Breeding Crystal Black Shrimp (Caridina cantonensis)

Overview

The Crystal Black Shrimp (CBS) is the black-and-white counterpart of the Crystal Red, a line of the bee shrimp Caridina cantonensis. The Shrimp Farm describes CBS care as identical to CRS, with the same soft, acidic, low-TDS requirements. It develops directly, with females releasing fully formed shrimplets and no larval stage, and shares the same sensitivity to unstable water.

Sexing

As in CRS, females are larger with a deeper abdomen for carrying eggs, while males stay slimmer and smaller. A mature female rounds out under the tail and may carry visible eggs. Adults are easiest to sex reliably.

Conditioning

Keep a mixed-sex colony on stable, soft acidic water and feed lightly with biofilm, algae and shrimp foods. As with CRS, the 24-25 C (75-77 F) band favours the strongest colour, and steady parameters matter more than heavy feeding for triggering spawns.

Breeding Setup

• Minimum tank volume: 30 L for a stable colony
• Temperature: 22-25 C (72-77 F)
• pH: 5.8-6.8 (soft, acidic); GH 4-6 dGH; KH 0-2 dKH
• Low TDS, roughly 100-180 (active soil substrate helps)
• Sponge filter and dense moss for shrimplets
• Very stable parameters; avoid swings

Spawning & Berried Females

With correct parameters CBS breed readily. The female carries the eggs beneath her abdomen; reported hatch time is roughly 28-30 days, consistent with the CRS figure of about 28 days at 22 C (72 F) given by Wikipedia. Avoid parameter swings while she is berried to prevent dropped eggs.

Shrimplet Care

Shrimplets emerge as miniature adults and graze biofilm from day one, so a mature, biofilm-rich tank with dense moss provides first food and refuge. Keep predatory fish out and let final grade clarify as the juveniles grow.

Common Challenges

CBS follow the same grading scale as CRS, from C up to SSS, judged by the extent and opacity of white. Because CBS and CRS are the same species, they interbreed and a mixed tank yields both red and black offspring depending on genetics. Caridina cantonensis does not interbreed with the separate genus Neocaridina davidi.

Breeding Crystal Red Shrimp (Caridina cantonensis)

Overview

The Crystal Red Shrimp (CRS) is a red-and-white selectively bred line of the bee shrimp Caridina cantonensis. According to Wikipedia, it was developed after Hisayasu Suzuki found a red individual among Black Bee shrimp in 1996 and fixed the trait through selective breeding. Unlike Neocaridina, CRS demand soft, acidic water, and years of selection have left them sensitive to poor conditions. They develop directly, releasing fully formed shrimplets with no larval stage.

Sexing

Per Wikipedia the female is larger than the male and has a deeper abdomen, which gives more room to carry eggs. Mature females are rounder under the tail and may show developing eggs; males are slimmer and smaller. Sexing is most reliable on adults.

Conditioning

Keep a mixed-sex group on stable, soft acidic water and feed sparingly with biofilm, algae and shrimp-specific foods. The Shrimp Farm notes the colour-developing range is around 24-25 C (75-77 F), where Wikipedia also reports the strongest colours develop. Stability matters more than heavy feeding for triggering spawns.

Breeding Setup

• Minimum tank volume: 30 L for a stable colony
• Temperature: 22-25 C (72-77 F)
• pH: 5.8-6.8 (soft, acidic); GH 4-6 dGH; KH 0-2 dKH
• Low TDS, roughly 100-180 (active soil substrate helps hold acidic, soft water)
• Sponge filter and dense moss for shrimplets
• Very stable parameters; avoid swings

Spawning & Berried Females

Once parameters are right, CRS breed readily. The female carries the eggs beneath her abdomen; Wikipedia gives an expected hatch of about 28 days at 22 C (72 F). The Shrimp Farm reports roughly 30 days to hatch and about 70 days for shrimplets to reach breeding age. Keep water steady, as stress can cause a female to drop eggs.

Shrimplet Care

Shrimplets emerge as miniature adults and graze biofilm immediately, so a mature, biofilm-rich tank with dense moss is the key first food and refuge. Keep predatory fish out. Final colour and grade clarify as juveniles grow.

Common Challenges

CRS are graded from SSS (highest) down to C by the amount and opacity of white. Named patterns include Mosura (mostly white, top grade), Hinomaru (a red disc on a white back), no-entry Hinomaru, tiger-tooth and V-band. CRS and the Crystal Black (CBS) are the same species and interbreed freely. Crucially, Caridina cantonensis does not interbreed with Neocaridina davidi, a separate genus, so the two can be kept apart only by genus, not by tank.

Breeding Golden Bee Shrimp (Caridina cantonensis)

Overview

The Golden Bee is a white-to-gold line of the bee shrimp Caridina cantonensis. Wikipedia describes it as having a white shell and gold-toned flesh, and it is the base stock from which the denser Snow White is selected. It develops directly with no larval stage and shares the soft, acidic, low-TDS needs of other bee shrimp.

Sexing

Following the bee-shrimp pattern, females are larger with a deeper abdomen than males. A mature female rounds out under the tail; males are smaller and slimmer. The pale body can make a developing clutch hard to read, so judge by overall size and abdomen depth.

Conditioning

Keep a mixed-sex group on stable soft acidic water and feed sparingly with biofilm, algae and shrimp foods. The 24-25 C (75-77 F) range, reported by Wikipedia as best for bee-shrimp colour, also suits breeding; steady parameters are the main spawn trigger.

Breeding Setup

• Minimum tank volume: 30 L for a stable colony
• Temperature: 22-25 C (72-77 F)
• pH: 5.8-6.8 (soft, acidic); GH 4-6 dGH; KH 0-2 dKH
• Low TDS, roughly 100-180 (active soil substrate helps)
• Sponge filter and dense moss for shrimplets
• Very stable parameters; avoid swings

Spawning & Berried Females

On correct water the female carries the eggs beneath her abdomen. Wikipedia gives an expected hatch of about 28 days at 22 C (72 F) for bee shrimp, with the eggs hatching into tiny versions of the adults. Keep conditions stable while she is berried so she does not drop the clutch.

Shrimplet Care

Shrimplets are miniature adults that graze biofilm immediately, so a mature, biofilm-rich tank with dense moss supplies their first food and shelter. Exclude predatory fish. Select the densest, most opaque white juveniles to refine toward Snow White.

Common Challenges

As a bee shrimp, the Golden Bee is sensitive to unstable water and needs a tightly managed acidic, low-TDS tank. It interbreeds freely with other Caridina cantonensis morphs such as CRS and CBS, so isolate the line to keep the gold tone pure. Caridina cantonensis does not interbreed with the separate genus Neocaridina.

Pinto Black Shrimp Breeding Guide

Overview

Pinto Black is the black-base counterpart of Pinto Red, a modern Taiwan Bee derivative of Caridina cantonensis with intricate spotted-head and body patterning. It is a direct developer like the rest of the species, hatching miniature adults from eggs, and requires the soft, low-mineral water shared by all Taiwan Bee lines.

As a highly selected pattern line it carries limited genetic diversity, so breeders work to fix the pinto markings while keeping the colony healthy.

Sexing

Females grow larger and develop a deeper abdomen for carrying eggs. Wikipedia describes females emitting pheromones when ready, after which males swim actively in search of a mate.

Conditioning

Maintain a mature, stable tank with soft, acidic water. The Shrimp Farm cites roughly 18-24 °C (65-75 °F) for bee-line Caridina, with regular light feeding of biofilm and prepared foods to keep females productive.

• Active substrate buffering pH below 7.0
• Remineralised RO water held at a low, stable TDS
• Guarded sponge filtration to protect shrimplets

Breeding Setup

Pinto Black needs soft, acidic Taiwan Bee water. The Shrimp Farm recommends GH around 4-6, KH 0-2 and a pH below 7.0 kept stable with remineralised RO water. A dedicated single-species tank prevents hybridising with other Caridina morphs and preserves the line.

Spawning & Berried Females

The berried female carries eggs beneath her abdomen, fanning them with the pleopods until they hatch. The Shrimp Farm gives about 30 days of incubation for bee-line Caridina, consistent with Wikipedia's roughly 28 days at about 22 °C.

Shrimplet/Larval Care

Pinto Black young hatch as tiny, fully formed shrimplets feeding independently on biofilm and detritus. They need only a mature, stable tank; their detailed patterning sharpens as they mature.

Common Challenges

The line is sensitive to TDS, pH and temperature instability, with Wikipedia noting that high temperatures cut egg survival. The added breeding challenge is selecting for clean spotted-head and body patterns over generations without weakening the colony through inbreeding.

caridina cantonensis pinto black

Red Wine Shrimp Breeding Guide

Overview

Red Wine, also called Red King Kong, is a deep wine-red Taiwan Bee line of Caridina cantonensis regarded as the red counterpart of Black King Kong. Like the rest of the species it is a direct developer, so eggs hatch into miniature adults with no larval stage, and it demands the same soft, low-mineral water as other Taiwan Bee shrimp.

Because it is a highly selected line, Red Wine carries little genetic diversity and benefits from carefully managed breeding to keep offspring robust.

Sexing

Females are larger with a deeper abdomen for carrying eggs. Wikipedia describes females releasing pheromones when ready, prompting males to swim actively in search of a mate.

Conditioning

Keep Red Wine in a mature, stable tank with soft, acidic water. The Shrimp Farm cites roughly 18-24 °C (65-75 °F) for bee-line Caridina, with a varied diet of biofilm, algae and prepared shrimp food to keep females productive.

• Active soil substrate buffering pH below 7.0
• Remineralised RO water held at a low, stable TDS
• Gentle filtration with a guard to protect shrimplets

Breeding Setup

Red Wine needs the soft, acidic conditions typical of Taiwan Bee shrimp. The Shrimp Farm recommends GH around 4-6, KH 0-2 and a pH below 7.0 for these lines, held steady with remineralised RO water. A single-species tank prevents hybridising with other Caridina morphs.

Spawning & Berried Females

The berried female fans her eggs with the pleopods until they hatch. The Shrimp Farm gives an incubation of about 30 days for bee-line Caridina, in line with Wikipedia's roughly 28 days at about 22 °C for the species.

Shrimplet/Larval Care

Red Wine young hatch as tiny, fully formed shrimplets that feed independently on biofilm and detritus. A mature, stable tank rather than special larval care is what carries them through their first weeks.

Common Challenges

TDS and pH swings, plus high temperatures that Wikipedia links to reduced egg survival, are the usual causes of failed broods. As with other high-grade Taiwan Bee lines, inbreeding can weaken offspring, so periodic introduction of fresh, compatible stock helps.

caridina cantonensis red wine

Breeding Snow White Shrimp (Caridina cantonensis)

Overview

The Snow White is a pure, opaque-white line of the bee shrimp Caridina cantonensis, a top-grade refinement of the Golden Bee with denser white pigment. It develops directly with no larval stage and has the same soft, acidic, low-TDS needs as other bee shrimp. The breeding goal is preserving the dense, even white through selection.

Sexing

Females are larger with a deeper abdomen, in line with the bee-shrimp pattern, while males are smaller and slimmer. The solid white body hides a developing clutch well, so size and abdomen depth are the most reliable cues.

Conditioning

Run a mixed-sex colony on stable soft acidic water and feed lightly with biofilm, algae and shrimp foods. The 24-25 C (75-77 F) range that Wikipedia links to strongest bee-shrimp colour also supports breeding; consistent water chemistry is the key trigger.

Breeding Setup

• Minimum tank volume: 30 L for a stable colony
• Temperature: 22-25 C (72-77 F)
• pH: 5.8-6.8 (soft, acidic); GH 4-6 dGH; KH 0-2 dKH
• Low TDS, roughly 100-180 (active soil substrate helps)
• Sponge filter and dense moss for shrimplets
• Very stable parameters; avoid swings

Spawning & Berried Females

On correct water the female carries the eggs beneath her abdomen and they hatch into miniature adults; Wikipedia gives an expected hatch of about 28 days at 22 C (72 F) for bee shrimp. Keep parameters stable through incubation so the female does not drop the clutch.

Shrimplet Care

Shrimplets graze biofilm from the first day, so a mature, biofilm-rich tank with dense moss is the essential first food and refuge. Exclude predatory fish. Select the most opaque, evenly white juveniles to hold the top grade across generations.

Common Challenges

Snow White shares the bee shrimp's sensitivity to unstable water and needs a closely managed acidic, low-TDS tank. It interbreeds with other Caridina cantonensis morphs, including its Golden Bee origin and CRS/CBS, so isolate it to keep the pure white. Caridina cantonensis does not interbreed with the separate genus Neocaridina.

Sources

1. en.wikipedia.org
2. glasgarten.de
3. Wikipedia content used under CC BY-SA 4.0