Breeding White Bee Shrimp (Caridina Cantonensis Sp. Snow White) In The Aquarium

White Bee Shrimp, Ghost Shrimp, White Pearl Shrimp, Snowball Shrimp, Golden Bee Shrimp

Occurrence

The Caridina cantonensis Sp. Snow White shrimp is a selectively bred variety from the crossbreeding of Caridina cantonensis sp. Bee (Black) with the Red Crystal shrimp. However, this is not an easy task.

External Appearance

This shrimp variant is divided into 4 cal. Class 4 - the highest - the shrimp is characterised by a completely white body colour - head, body, legs. Their armor is not transparent. The eyes are black. Class 3 - high - the shrimp of this variety have almost completely white colouring, with small spots of another colour on the shell, legs are white. Class 2 - average - the shrimp has almost completely white-gold colouring, with small traces of another colour on the shell. The legs are colourful. Class 1 - low - there are many irregularly distributed transparent or colourful areas on the armor, the legs are transparent-pigmented. Shrimp with transparent armor and with the addition of yellow or orange colour are designated as Caridina cantonensis Sp. Golden Bee. In a sexually mature female, a distinctive saddle can be observed just behind her head (eggs ready to be fertilized). She also has a rounded belly line.

Disposition

They are calm and sociable shrimp, who prefer to live in larger groups.

Aquarium

Caridina cantonensis Sp. Snow White is not easy to maintain. It requires stable and mature aquariums. It is sensitive to nitrogen compounds, chlorine, and copper in the water (avoid medications containing copper, and even tanks where we have previously given such treatment). This species feels comfortable in shrimp tanks (tanks dedicated only to shrimp breeding, thus avoiding mixing it with other shrimps of this genus), as well as in general tanks (only with small fish species, which do not swim too fast and are not predators, we also avoid livebearers). Soft and fine substrate is required, preferably dark (they present their coloring wonderfully against its background), numerous hiding places among stones and roots (forming caves and grottoes), coconut shell, flower pot shells etc., dense vegetation of small leaves (mosses, a moderate amount of algae - preferably strictly controlled). A tight aquarium cover is a necessity.

Reproduction

Breeding this variety is not a difficult task. The shrimp reproduces in fresh, soft water (DKH=5). The female lays 20-25 light blue eggs, which she keeps in her hind legs, under her abdomen after fertilization. After hatching the first batch of eggs (about a week), the female lays the next eggs. From the eggs hatch fully developed shrimps – no larval stage. This variety belongs to the serrata group and may crossbreed with other shrimps of the Caridina genus.