Golden Bee Shrimp
Common Name: Golden Bee Shrimp, White Bee, Snow White Bee
Scientific Name: Caridina Cantonensis "Golden Bee"
Genus: Caridina
Wild Origin: Asia
Adult Size: 1.25in
**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 Golden Bee Shrimp is a unique and ethereal variety belonging to the Crystal Bee group. Unlike the banded Crystal Red or Black shrimp, the Golden Bee has been selectively bred for a solid, opaque body color that ranges from a warm, creamy orange-yellow to a brilliant snow-white or golden-white tone. Because they lack the dark pigment of their cousins, they provide a bright, clean aesthetic that "glows" in a well-lit shrimp aquarium, especially when paired with lush green mosses or dark dragon stone.
Caring for Golden Bees requires a disciplined approach to water chemistry. Unlike hardier species, these freshwater shrimp are notably delicate and do not tolerate poor water quality or abrupt fluctuations. For their well-being, ensure that the aquarium water remains soft and slightly acidic. Even trace amounts of ammonia or nitrite can be fatal to these sensitive aquatic pets, making them a rewarding challenge for the intermediate to advanced hobbyist.
Check out our guide on the different substrates that can help achieve ideal water parameters for these shrimp: Best Substrate for Shrimp.
Key Features & Important Notes
- Tank raised specimen
- Unsexed juveniles
- Bright, bold colors
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To increase survival rates, please allow 2-3 business days after an order is placed 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: 68–74°F
- pH: 6.6-6.9
- TDS: 100-160
- GH: 6-7 dGH
- KH: 0-2 dKH
Recommended Tank Size
5+ gallons, minimum. Tank size is relative and various factors should be considered when determining tank size. We recommend a 10–20 gallon shrimp aquarium for this species to ensure a larger body of water, which is much easier to keep stable and chemically consistent.
Diet
Algae, biofilm, diatoms, decaying plant matter, spirulina powder, bee pollen, plant-based shrimp pellets/wafers, blanched vegetables
Breeding
Golden Bee Shrimp are eager breeders once they are established in a stable environment. Sexing becomes easier as they mature; females are larger and possess a wider underbelly for egg-carrying. While the "saddle" (where eggs are stored before fertilization) can be difficult to see against their opaque white shells, a "berried" female is easily identified by the eggs held beneath her tail. To ensure a successful colony, we recommend starting with 8–10 shrimp to guarantee a mix of males and females.
The breeding process is triggered when a fertile female molts and releases pheromones, prompting a "breeding frenzy" among the males. Once fertilized, the female carries the eggs for approximately 2–4 weeks. The fry hatch as self-sufficient, miniature versions of the adults and will feed on the same biofilm. Fry molt frequently during their growth stages; always leave molted shells in the tank so the colony can recycle the calcium and minerals essential for their development.
Keep in mind that if you are keeping shrimp with other species of fish, or possibly aggressive shrimp species, this may affect reproduction. If the shrimp feel threatened or don’t have places in your tank to hide, they may not breed.
Check out our blog article to learn how to breed freshwater shrimp.