Blue Bolt Shrimp

Caridina cantonensis

Also known as Blue Bolt Taiwan Bee, Blue Bolt Bee shrimp

FreshwaterShrimp

Care at a glance

Temperature
64–75°F (18–24°C)
pH
5.2–6.2
Adult size
1.2 in (3 cm)
Minimum tank
5 gal (20 L)
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Difficult
Breeding
Medium
Rarity
Rare
Origin
A captive bred Taiwan Bee line of Caridina cantonensis, line bred from bee shrimp whose wild form lives in soft, acidic streams in southern China.
Family
Atyidae

Overview

Keep blue bolts in a mature 20 L or larger tank with RO water remineralized for Caridina, a pH of 5.2 to 6.2, TDS near 100 to 130, and 18 to 24 C. Stable water on active shrimp soil is essential, since they react badly to swings in pH or TDS. Keep them in a dedicated shrimp tank or with other Taiwan Bees. Feed biofilm, botanicals and prepared shrimp foods.

In the wild

The blue bolt is a Taiwan Bee line of Caridina cantonensis with a clear white head that fades into a deep blue tail. The blue comes from the same Taiwan Bee genetics as the king kong and panda. Like all Taiwan Bees it needs soft, acidic water with low TDS and very stable parameters. It is kept on active buffering soil with remineralized RO water.

Good to know

Blue bolts are a Taiwan Bee form of Caridina cantonensis, and their blue is a structural color that varies in depth between individuals. They are line bred from bee shrimp and want lower pH and TDS than crystal shrimp. Blue bolt, king kong and panda are all outcomes of the same genetic line.

Did you know

The depth of blue in a blue bolt can shift with diet and water, so breeders select carefully to hold the strongest, most even color.

Appears in

Shrimp · Freshwater clean-up crew · Freshwater inverts

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