Golden Bee Shrimp
Species Overview
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.
Key Features & Important Notes
- Tank raised specimen
- Unsexed juveniles
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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
Omnivorous. Shrimp are natural scavengers that constantly consume detritus, diatoms, and organic waste. Supplement their diet with high-quality vegetable-based shrimp pellets, spirulina wafers, and blanched vegetables. Adding textured hardscape like lava rock to your shrimp aquarium is highly recommended to maximize the surface area available for beneficial biofilm growth.
Breeding
Golden Bee Shrimp are eager and prolific breeders. Sexing is simple once they reach maturity; females are notably larger and possess a broader underbelly for carrying eggs. They also display a visible "saddle" behind the head where eggs are stored before fertilization. To ensure a thriving colony, we recommend starting with 8–10 specimens to guarantee a mix of males and females.
The breeding cycle begins when a fertile female molts and releases pheromones, triggering a "mating dance" among the males. Once "berried," she carries the eggs for approximately 2–3 weeks. The fry hatch as self-sufficient, miniature versions of the adults. 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.
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.