About the species

Crystal Black - Low is the black-and-white bee shrimp in a lower grade, with narrower white bands and slightly lower density in the white. The marking is still clear and the shrimp has the same need for soft, acidic water as other Crystal shrimp.

Facts

• Latin name: Caridina cantonensis
• Common name: Crystal Black - Low
• Size: Up to 3 cm
• Lifespan: 1.5–2 years

Behavior

Crystal Black - Low is a peaceful and curious shrimp that grazes across the whole aquarium throughout the day. It thrives best in a group of at least ten and appreciates moss, leaf litter and plenty of hiding places.

Reproduction

• Females usually carry 20–30 eggs under the tail
• The eggs hatch after about 30 days as fully developed shrimplets
• Requires soft, acidic and very stable water in order to breed

Feeding

Crystal Black - Low is an omnivore with a clear plant bias and feeds on:

• Biofilm
• Algae
• Decaying leaves and plant matter

Feel free to supplement with:

• A Caridina-specific shrimp food
• Catappa or mulberry leaves
• Protein food, sparingly

Aquarium

• Minimum aquarium size: 30 litres
• Substrate: Active soil (we use Environment Soil)

Difficulty level

🟡 Moderate

Recommendation

Crystal Black - Low is a good, affordable entry into the black-and-white Caridina range. With stable values and selection the colony can be worked towards higher grades over time. Active soil and remineralised RO water are the prerequisite.