Blue Bolts There is a popular belief that the blue bolt shrimp is a (mutant) variety of the Taiwan bee shrimp. Aquarists believe that the majority of blue bolt shrimp are bred from the genetic resources of Caridina cantonensis (bee shrimp). However, opinions differ on the origin of this type. Diet: The Blue Bolts shrimps, like most Freshwater Shrimps, are omnivores and will eat any food they can find in the tank. Remember that Shrimps are scavengers in the wild, they will eat anything they find and are not used to a constant food source. Therefore, you can feed them with a lot of things. However, it is better to give them the amount of food that the shrimp can finish within two to three hours. Ideally, it is not good to overfeed as food sitting can contaminate the water. Also, don't worry about not feeding for a day or two. This is perfectly fine and it will not harm your Shrimp. In some cases, it's even better not to feed for a few days to let them clean their system and keep your water condition at its best. Tank Requirements: There is no need to keep the Pinto in a large tank. However, it is very important to keep the Shrimps in specific conditions. Keep in mind that this species is quite sensitive and does not respond well to bad water values. It means that a 10 gallon (40 liters) tank is an optimal choice especially if you are new to the hobby. The bigger the tank, the easier it is for you to stay stable compared to smaller setupsIf you can't exactly meet those criteria, at least be consistent in water quality. Obviously, the aquarium must be fully cycled and set up before any Pinto Shrimp are introduced. Can't emphasize enough how refined the shrimp is. That is why extreme water parameters should be avoided.Also, a lot of Shrimp breeders find that as you approach the high levels of the species, the water parameters become even more important.Substrates: You need a buffered substrate. Buffer substrates keep the pH at a stable level. Meaning if your water is at a higher pH, the buffer will lower it. Also, shrimp farmers use a substrate to filter out hardness in the tank as the source water can be a little harder than necessary. Basic Parameters: Scientific name: Caridina cf cantonensis Tank size: (optimal) 10 gallons (~40 liters) Difficulty: Medium Size: 2.5 – 3 cm (~ 1 – 1.25 inch) Temperature: 21 – 24°C (~70°F – 74°F) pH 5.8-6.5 GH 3-6 KH 0-4 TDS 100-150 ppm Nitrates Less than 20 ppm Algae / omnivorous diet Good manners Lifespan 1-2 years For further information about tank setup, caring, breeding,... Please follow our Facebook page: Australia Shrimp Home
