🔹 Overview
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Scientific Name: Caridina cf. cantonensis
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Common Names: Blue Steel Shrimp, Steel Blue Shrimp
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Lineage: Taiwan Bee / Pinto Hybrid
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Difficulty: Advanced
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Lifespan: 1.5 – 2 years
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Size: ~1 inch (2.5 cm)
🧪 Water Parameters
| Parameter |
Ideal Range |
| Temperature |
68–72°F (20–22°C) |
| pH |
5.5–6.5 |
| GH (General Hardness) |
4–6 |
| KH (Carbonate Hardness) |
0–1 |
| TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) |
100–140 ppm |
| Ammonia/Nitrite |
0 ppm |
| Nitrate |
< 10 ppm |
✅ Use RO/DI water with shrimp-specific mineral additives (e.g., Salty Shrimp GH+).
✅ Use buffering active substrate to maintain stable pH.
🏡 Tank Setup
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Tank Size: Minimum 10 gallons recommended
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Substrate: Active soil (ADA Amazonia, Brightwell, etc.)
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Filtration: Sponge filter or gentle HOB filter with guard
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Aquascape: Mosses (Java, Flame), bucephalandra, shrimp tubes
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Lighting: Low to moderate
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Decor: Cholla wood, Indian almond leaves for tannins & biofilm
🐾 Shrimp love grazing on biofilm, so more natural surfaces = better!
🍽️ Diet
Feed a variety for health and color vibrancy:
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Shrimp-specific foods (Bacter AE, Shrimp King, GlasGarten)
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Blanched veggies (spinach, kale, zucchini – small amounts)
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Protein-based treats once a week (e.g., shrimp lollies)
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Biofilm is essential – don’t overclean!
⚠️ Remove uneaten food after 2–3 hours to avoid water quality drops.
🧬 Breeding
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Sexual maturity: ~3–4 months
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Gestation: 25–30 days
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Babies: Born live, no larval stage
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Requirements: Ultra-stable parameters, minimal disturbance
🍼 Use sponge filters to prevent fry loss and provide biofilm-rich surfaces for babies.
