Add a striking icy-blue glow to your planted aquarium with Blue Bolt Caridina Shrimp. These selectively bred Taiwan Bee shrimp are prized for their distinctive blue coloration and peaceful grazing behaviour. They are an excellent choice for experienced shrimp keepers with a mature aquarium prepared for stable, soft, acidic water.
Common Name: Blue Bolt Caridina Shrimp (Taiwan Bee)
Scientific Name: Caridina cf. cantonensis (Blue Bolt / Taiwan Bee variety)
Origin: Captive-bred Taiwan Bee strain; ancestral bee shrimp originate from southern China
Maximum Size: 2–2.5 cm (0.8–1 inch)
Blue Bolt Caridina Shrimp Water Parameters
| pH |
6.0–6.4 |
| GH |
3–6 dGH |
| KH |
0–1 dKH |
| TDS |
100–200 ppm |
| Temperature |
18–25°C (64–78°F) |
Stable conditions matter more than chasing exact numbers. These are the original listing ranges; many Taiwan Bee keepers maintain narrower targets within them, particularly for temperature and TDS.
About Blue Bolt Caridina Shrimp
Blue Bolt Shrimp are a selectively bred Taiwan Bee variety from the Caridina cantonensis species complex. They are admired for icy blue to rich blue coloration, sometimes with lighter or whitish areas. The depth and distribution of blue vary naturally between individuals and grades. They are more sensitive to changing water chemistry than most Neocaridina shrimp.
Aquarium Setup & Care
Blue Bolts do best in a mature, fully cycled aquarium with soft, acidic, low-KH water and stable temperatures. Active buffering aquasoil and RO/DI water remineralized with a GH-only shrimp mineral are commonly used. Provide mosses, plants, established biofilm and hiding spaces, plus a sponge filter or protected intake. Maintain zero detectable ammonia and nitrite and avoid sudden changes or copper-based medications.
Feeding & Nutrition
Breeding Blue Bolt Caridina Shrimp
Blue Bolts can breed in mature, stable soft-water aquariums. Females carry eggs under the abdomen, and the young hatch as miniature shrimp that need established biofilm and sheltered grazing surfaces. Maintaining a dedicated Blue Bolt breeding line helps preserve desired blue coloration; crossing with other Taiwan Bee varieties can produce different colours and patterns in offspring.
Acclimation & Live Shipping
Inspect shrimp promptly upon arrival. Because Taiwan Bee shrimp are sensitive to differences in temperature, pH and dissolved minerals, gradual acclimation such as drip acclimation is recommended. Avoid abrupt changes. Orders are supported by The Wet Leaf's 100% Live Arrival Guarantee, subject to published terms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Blue Bolt Shrimp beginner-friendly? They are best suited to keepers comfortable maintaining stable, soft, acidic Caridina water.
Do Blue Bolts need buffering soil? Active aquasoil is commonly used to maintain the low-KH, acidic conditions they prefer.
Can they be kept with Crystal Red Shrimp? Their water requirements overlap, but Taiwan Bee and other bee shrimp lines can interbreed, so separate colonies are preferable for consistent breeding lines.
Will every Blue Bolt be the same shade? No. Blue intensity and pattern vary naturally between individuals.
New to Keeping Shrimp?
Learn about aquarium setup, water chemistry, feeding and breeding in our Aquascape Academy. Blue Bolt Caridina require different water conditions from most Neocaridina shrimp.
Read Our Shrimp Aquarium Beginner's Guide →
Complete Your Shrimp Aquarium
Explore GlasGarten Bacter AE, MK-Breed Baby Shrimp Food and GlasGarten Shrimp Lollies for supplemental feeding.
