GOLDEN BEE SHRIMP

Golden Bee Shrimp (Caridina cf. cantonensis), also known as the Golden Bee Shrimp, is a strikingly beautiful freshwater shrimp known for its golden-yellow coloration and distinctive patterns. They are popular in shrimp-keeping communities due to their vibrant color and relatively manageable care requirements. Here’s a comprehensive care guide for Golden Bee Shrimp:

Tank Size and Setup

• Tank Size: A minimum of 10 gallons is recommended, but larger tanks are preferable for maintaining stable water conditions and providing ample space.
• Aquascape: Create a well-planted tank with plenty of hiding spots and areas to forage. Use live plants like Java moss, Anubias, and Cryptocoryne. Adding driftwood and rocks can provide additional hiding spots and help mimic their natural habitat.
• Substrate: Use a soft, shrimp-friendly substrate such as aquatic soil or fine sand. Substrates designed for shrimp or planted tanks often help in maintaining the right water parameters and provide a good environment for shrimp to forage.

Water Parameters

• Temperature: Golden Bee Shrimp prefer water temperatures between 68-75°F (20-24°C). Use a reliable heater to maintain a stable temperature.
• pH: They thrive in slightly acidic to neutral water, with a pH range of 5.5-6.0 Stability in pH is crucial for their health.
• Hardness: They prefer soft to moderately hard water, with a general hardness (GH) of 4-8 dGH and a carbonate hardness (KH) of 0-6 dKH.
• Water Quality: Maintain excellent water quality with regular water changes (20-30% weekly). Ensure ammonia and nitrite levels are at 0 ppm and keep nitrates below 20 ppm. Use a high-quality water conditioner to treat tap water before adding it to the tank.

Filtration and Water Flow

• Filtration: Use a filtration system that provides gentle mechanical and biological filtration. Sponge filters or small canister filters work well in shrimp tanks, as they provide good filtration without strong currents.
• Water Flow: Low to moderate water flow is ideal. Golden Bee Shrimp prefer gentle currents, so ensure the filter output is adjusted to avoid strong water movement.

Feeding

• Diet: Golden Bee Shrimp are omnivorous and will eat a variety of foods. Offer high-quality shrimp pellets or wafers as their staple diet. Supplement with blanched vegetables like zucchini, spinach, or carrots, as well as live or frozen foods such as daphnia and micro worms.
• Variety: Providing a varied diet ensures they receive all necessary nutrients and helps maintain their health and coloration.
• Feeding Frequency: Feed them once a day or every other day. Offer only as much food as they can consume within a few minutes to avoid overfeeding and maintain water quality.