Species Overview Common Name: Orange Eye Blue Tiger, OE Blue TigerScientific Name: Caridina mariae ‘Blue Tiger’Genus: CaridinaWild Origin: China (Selective Breed)Adult Size: 1.2 in **Note: All livestock orders will come carefully packaged with solid wall Styrofoam insulation and shipped via 1-day shipping only. No additional insulation is needed for your livestock. The Orange Eye Blue Tiger (OEBT) is one of the most mesmerizing varieties in the shrimp hobby. It is a genetic morph achieved by extensive selective breeding of the Caridina Tiger shrimp. Good quality specimens have deep blue bodies, dark tiger stripes, and bright orange eyes. The highest grade specimens achieve a solid blue shrimp that eliminates or greatly diminishes the Caridina Tiger striping. Lower grades may have translucent bodies, patchy patterns, and brown eyes. As aquatic pets, OEBTs are active scavengers that bring a unique "alien" aesthetic to the shrimp aquarium. They are a "soft water" species, thriving in slightly acidic environments with zero carbonate hardness. Because of their distinct look and the intensive line-breeding required to maintain their color, they are a prized centerpiece for any dedicated shrimp tank. Key Features & Important Notes Tank-raised specimen Bright, bold color and pattern To increase survival rates, please allow 2-3 business days after an order is placed to properly prepare live animal shipments Recommended Water Parameters Temperature Range: 68-74 °F pH: 6.2-6.6 TDS: 120-140 GH: 4-5 KH: 0-1 (best if 0) Recommended Tank Size 5+ gallons, minimum. Due to their specific water requirements, a 10-gallon or larger shrimp aquarium is recommended to help maintain the stable, acidic conditions they require. Diet Omnivorous. OEBTs are excellent scavengers that feed on biofilm, detritus, and algae. Supplement their diet with high-quality plant-based pellets, spirulina, and blanched vegetables. Adding porous hardscape like lava rock is highly beneficial, as it provides a massive surface area for the biofilm they love to graze on. Breeding The Orange Eye Blue Tiger variety is a natural mutation as a result of extensive line breeding efforts derived from Caridina mariae, or Tiger shrimp. Specimens are sold at different price points based on grade, which is determined by the quality of body color and the genetics involved in the lineage. Orange Eye Blue Tiger shrimp do not breed true. Meaning one batch of eggs will likely produce shrimplets of varying color and grades. A line is established when a breeder selects specimens with the highest amounts of blue, breeds them together, and then re-selects from the offspring for those with the most blue, with the intention of breeding superior shrimp to one another again. The breeder repeats this process with the resulting offspring across generations until opaque blue shrimp with bright orange eyes are consistently produced. Solid blue shrimp are considered higher grade and more desirable, therefore commanding a higher price than a clear-bodied shrimp. Note that lower-grade shrimp aren't "worse" or less healthy than high-grade specimens; they're simply less pretty. Team Buce Plant Tips If you're new to the hobby, learn the fundamentals with our Freshwater Aquarium Shrimp Care Guide. Before introducing your new livestock into a new tank, learn about the perfect drip rate and timing in 7 Easy Steps to Drip Acclimate Shrimp and Fish. Whether you need active soil or inert sand, you can find the perfect fit to stabilize your parameters in our Best Substrate for Shrimp Guide. When your tank is balanced and your colony is thriving, check out our step-by-step breakdown on How to Breed Freshwater Shrimp.
