Sulawesi Three Spot Red Bee Shrimp
Common Name: Three Spot Red Bee Sulawesi
Scientific Name: Caridina dennerli "Red Galaxy Sulawesi"
Genus: Caridina
Wild Origin: Sulawesi, Indonesia
Adult Size: 1 in
The Three Spot Red Bee variety of Sulawesi, also known as the “Red Galaxy Sulawesi”, is a rare variety of Sulawesi Shrimp characterized by its striking red body with three bright white spots at the head section. This species of Sulawesi is not naturally occurring in the wild and populations are maintained by skilled breeders, making this variety rare and highly coveted by shrimp hobbyists.
Sulawesi varieties demand specific water parameters, which make them more challenging to keep when compared to other dwarf shrimp species. Because of this, the Three Spot Red Bee should only be kept by experienced aquarists. All Sulawesi varieties thrive at a higher temperature of 78-85 °F and a pH of 7.8 - 8.2, preferring soft yet alkaline water similar to the lakes where they originate. Ensure the shrimp are kept in a low-flow, well-cycled tank with aged water and plenty of algae to feed on.
All Sulawesi shrimp are scavengers and will continuously feed on detritus and decaying plant matter in the aquarium. They mainly feed on algae, biofilm, and decaying organics, and their diet can be supplemented with plant-based shrimp pellets/wafers. Adding hardscape to the aquarium encourages the growth of biofilm and algae due to the rock’s rough texture. This provides increased surface area and an extra food source for the shrimp to feed on.
Key Features & Important Notes
- Tank-raised specimen
- Bright, bold color and pattern
- 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 an order is placed to properly prepare live animal shipments
Recommended Water Parameters:
- Temperature Range: 78 - 85°F
- pH: 7.8 - 8.2
- TDS: 50-150
- GH: 6-9
- KH: 4-8
Recommended Tank Size:
- 5+ gallons
Diet:
- Algae, biofilm, diatoms, decaying plant matter, spirulina powder, bee pollen, plant-based shrimp pellets/wafers, blanched vegetables
Breeding:
The Three Spot Red Bee shrimp no longer occurs naturally in the wild, so breeding lines are entirely captive-bred and maintained by skilled breeders.
Once optimal water conditions are established, breeding Sulawesi shrimp is relatively easy. Starting with larger groups of 10-20 adults offer the best chance of successful spawning. However, Caridina dennerli varieties lay fewer eggs than other dwarf shrimp species. Expect females to only lay about 15 eggs at a time. It takes roughly 20 days for the eggs to hatch and become free-swimming.
Check out our blog article to learn how to breed freshwater shrimp.