Shrimp-Red Spotted Head Pinto

🔹 Overview

• Scientific Name: Caridina cf. cantonensis

• Common Name: Red Head Spotted Pinto, Pinto Shrimp

• Lineage: Taiwan Bee x Tiger hybrid

• Difficulty: Advanced

• Lifespan: 1.5 – 2 years

• Size: ~1 inch (2.5 cm)

These shrimp are highly decorative and are usually kept in species-only display tanks.

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🧪 Water Parameters

✅ Use RO/DI water with shrimp mineral additive (e.g., Salty Shrimp GH+).
✅ Buffered active substrate helps maintain acidic pH and shrimp health.

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🏡 Tank Setup

• Tank Size: 10 gallons or more

• Substrate: Active soil (e.g., ADA Amazonia, Brightwell)

• Filter: Sponge filter or pre-filtered HOB for gentle flow

• Decor: Mosses, shrimp tubes, leaf litter (almond, oak, guava)

• Plants: Moss, Anubias, Bucephalandra, floating plants

• Lighting: Low to moderate (for moss growth and low algae)

🪸 Biofilm-rich environments help support both adults and babies.

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🍽️ Diet

• Shrimp-specific food (Shrimp King Complete, GlasGarten Shrimp Dinner, Bacter AE)

• Blanched vegetables (spinach, kale, zucchini – in tiny amounts)

• Protein-rich food once a week (shrimp lollies, powdered baby food)

• Biofilm is their favorite and healthiest long-term food source

⚠️ Feed every 2–3 days unless biofilm is depleted. Remove leftovers after 2–3 hours.

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🧬 Breeding

• Type: Sexual breeders; no larval stage

• Gestation: 28–30 days

• Fry: Born fully formed and extremely tiny

• Needs: Ultra-stable parameters, no large water changes

🍼 Keep babies in the same tank and avoid predators. Use sponge filters to protect them and promote microfauna.

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🚫 Tankmates to Avoid

• Fish (even nano species)

• Large or aggressive shrimp

• Snails that may outcompete for food (Assassin snails)

✅ Best kept in a species-only tank or with other Taiwan Bee types like Black King Kong or Blue Bolt.

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🧼 Maintenance

• 10–15% weekly water changes using remineralized RO/DI water

• Regular testing for ammonia, nitrate, GH, KH, TDS

• Avoid sudden changes in parameters — consistency is key!

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❤️ Fun Fact

Red Head Spotted Pintos are selectively bred for their target-like spots on the head and solid red markings, making each one a unique art piece!