Bumblebee Shrimp

Bumblebee shrimp look like little aquatic bees as they shuttle around the tank with their black-striped little bodies. These are great aquarium species for small tanks, but be aware that dwarf cichlids will eat these expensive critters. The bumblebee shrimp is similar to crystal black and black rili shrimp but does not have the distinct black and white and clear pattern; they are a bit more muted.

Quick Facts

Care Guide

Tank setup: Caridina bee and Taiwan bee shrimp need soft, slightly acidic water. Use a mature, cycled tank with an active (buffering) shrimp substrate, RO water remineralized for shrimp, moss and plants, and a sponge filter.

Feeding: Feed a small amount of quality shrimp food once a day, and remove any uneaten food after a few hours.

Tankmates: Caridina are best kept in a shrimp-only tank or with tiny, peaceful fish like otocinclus, plus snails. Avoid cichlids and other fish that will eat shrimp. Different bee and Taiwan bee varieties can crossbreed, but they will not breed with Neocaridina.

Good to know: Acclimate slowly (drip for an hour or more). Stable water matters more than perfect numbers, and sudden changes in temperature or hardness are the most common cause of losses.