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Freshwater fishCrystal Black Shrimp
Crystal Black Shrimp
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The crystal black shrimp is the black and white cousin of the crystal red shrimp. Crystal shrimp have a white background, as opposed to rili shrimp, which have a clear background. The white color makes for a stronger contrast, but crystal shrimp are a little more difficult to breed than rili shrimp, so the price is a bit higher.
Quick Facts
| Scientific Name | Caridina cf. cantonensis (crystal black) |
| Origin | Taiwan (aquarium-bred) |
| Care Level | Moderate to difficult (needs soft, stable water) |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Adult Size | Up to 1" |
| Lifespan | 1½–2 years |
| Diet | Omnivore (grazes on algae) |
| Water Temperature | 68–76°F |
| pH | 5.8–6.8 |
| Water Hardness | GH 4–6, KH 0–1 (soft) |
| Group Size | Does best in a group |
| Shipping Size | Approx. ½" |
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.
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