Panda Shrimp
Caridina cantonensis
Also known as Panda Bee shrimp, Taiwan Bee Panda, Black panda shrimp
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 pandas in a stable, cycled tank of at least 20 L with RO water remineralized for Caridina, a pH of 5.2 to 6.2, TDS about 100 to 130, and 18 to 24 C. Active soil helps hold the acidic pH they need, and parameters must stay steady. Keep them with other Taiwan Bees or alone. Feed biofilm, botanicals, blanched vegetables and shrimp specific foods.
In the wild
The panda is a Taiwan Bee line of Caridina cantonensis with sharp, solid black and white banding that gives it a panda look. It shares the demanding care of other Taiwan Bees, needing soft, acidic, low TDS water. It is kept on active buffering soil with remineralized RO water and very stable conditions. Weaker pandas show muddy or broken color, so grade matters.
Good to know
The panda is a Taiwan Bee form of Caridina cantonensis, carrying the same recessive genetics as king kong and blue bolt. It wants lower pH and TDS than crystal shrimp, around a pH of 5.2 to 6.0. Its bold black and white pattern is a selected, line bred trait.
Did you know
Panda shrimp are among the harder Taiwan Bees to breed true, since clutches often include lower grade young with incomplete black and white banding.
Where to buy
Some links may not be the exact species or variety.
- Flip Aquatics Quarantined shrimp, snails and nano fish
- LiveAquaria Freshwater and saltwater fish, inverts and corals
…or ask your local fish store.
Appears in
Keeping Panda Shrimp?
Track water tests, reminders and stocking fit.
Related species
Blue Bolt Shrimp
Caridina cantonensis1.2 in (3 cm)5 gal (20 L)64–75°F (18–24°C)Bee Shrimp
Caridina cantonensis1.2 in (3 cm)5 gal (20 L)66–79°F (19–26°C)Crystal Black Shrimp
Caridina cantonensis1.2 in (3 cm)5 gal (20 L)64–75°F (18–24°C)King Kong Shrimp
Caridina cantonensis1.2 in (3 cm)5 gal (20 L)64–75°F (18–24°C)
Crystal Red Shrimp
Caridina cantonensis1.6 in (4 cm)8 gal (30 L)66–79°F (19–26°C)
Tiger Shrimp
Caridina mariae1.6 in (4 cm)7 gal (25 L)64–73°F (18–23°C)