Black Pinto Shrimp
Species Overview
Common Name: Black Pinto Shrimp
Scientific Name: Caridina Cantonensis "Pinto"
Genus: Caridina
Wild Origin: Japan
Adult Size: 1 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 Black Pinto is a freshwater shrimp known in the hobby as a "Taitibee," which is a “mischling” or crossbreed. Their lineage begins by crossing a Tiger Shrimp with a Taiwan Bee to produce a "Tibee." Breeders then cross that Tibee back to a Taiwan Bee to stabilize the Pinto pattern. This specific breeding results in three distinct visual patterns: Zebra (vertical stripes), Spotted Head (white dots on the cephalothorax), and Fancy (which includes the Cloud or Skunk patterns). Thus, they are a striking addition to any shrimp tank due to their bold color and unique markings.
Because they are the product of intensive selective breeding, Black Pinto Shrimp are more sensitive to water fluctuations than standard freshwater shrimp. While they can be kept in smaller setups, it is best practice to use a shrimp aquarium of at least 25 gallons. A larger volume of water is easier to keep chemically stable, which is vital for their survival. They serve as an excellent "indicator species" for the overall health of your ecosystem.
Key Features & Important Notes
- Tank-raised specimen
- Shrimp are excellent scavengers and will happily feed on biofilm, decaying plant matter, and algae
- To increase survival rates, please allow 2-3 business days after placing an order to properly prepare live animal shipments
Recommended Water Parameters
Listed information should be treated as general guidelines only. We encourage you to do thorough research before committing to keeping any livestock.
- Temperature Range: 68-76°F
- pH: 6.0-6.5
- TDS: 100-150 ppm
- GH: 3-5
- dGH KH: 0-2 dKH
Recommended Tank Size
5+ gallons. Tank size is relative, and various factors should be considered when determining the optimal tank size. Factors include maintenance schedules, tank mates, desired colony size, and more. A larger volume of water is easier to keep chemically stable, which is vital for their survival.
Diet
Algae, biofilm, diatoms, decaying plant matter, spirulina powder, bee pollen, plant-based shrimp pellets/wafers, blanched vegetables
Breeding
Pinto Shrimp are eager and prolific breeders. Once mature, males are smaller, while females are larger with a broader underbelly and a visible "saddle" behind the head. We recommend starting with 8–10 specimens to ensure a healthy male-to-female ratio.
The breeding cycle triggers when a fertile female molts and releases pheromones. Once fertilized, she carries the eggs through a 2–4 week gestation period. The resulting fry are completely self-sufficient, feeding on the same biofilm as adults. Always leave molted shells in the tank; fry consume them to recycle the essential calcium needed for frequent growth molts.
Because Pintos are the result of complex crossbreeding, offspring patterns depend heavily on their specific genetic lineage. To maximize fry survival, avoid keeping them with fish or aggressive tankmates, and provide dense hiding spots like mosses or Cholla wood to make them feel secure enough to reproduce.
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.