Crystal Black Shrimp (S-SS Grade)
Species Overview
Common Name: Crystal Black Shrimp, CBS, Bee Shrimp
Scientific Name: Caridina Cantonensis
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 Crystal Black Shrimp is a staple for serious hobbyists, prized for its deep, opaque black and crisp white banding. Like their Crystal Red cousins, these freshwater shrimp are graded based on color intensity and pattern. Our S-SS Grade stock includes specimens with high-quality pigment coverage. Because they require near-perfect water quality, they are an excellent choice for an experienced keeper looking to maintain a high-end shrimp tank.
Crystal Black Shrimp are non-aggressive and active, but they are not recommended for beginners due to their specific environmental needs. They require soft, acidic water and are very sensitive to nitrogenous waste; ammonia and nitrites must stay at 0ppm. To succeed with these aquarium shrimp, we recommend a dedicated shrimp aquarium. Water should be changed at least 30% each week, and make sure to dechlorinate the water before adding it to the aquarium. These shrimp are very sensitive to water changes, so frequent low-volume changes are preferable to infrequent high-volume changes.
Key Features & Important Notes
- Tank-raised specimen
- To increase survival rates, please allow 2-3 business days after placing an order to properly prepare live animal shipments
- Pro-Tip: Use an active buffering substrate to keep pH levels within the preferred acidic range consistently.
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: 130-160 ppm
- GH: 5-7 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. A larger tank volume is always preferable for this species to help buffer against chemical fluctuations that can occur in smaller setups.
Diet
Algae, biofilm, diatoms, decaying plant matter, spirulina powder, bee pollen, plant-based shrimp pellets/wafers, blanched vegetables. Providing calcium-rich foods is essential for successful molting.
Breeding
Crystal Black 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.
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.
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.