Add striking black-and-white contrast to your planted aquarium with Crystal Black Caridina Shrimp. These peaceful bee shrimp are known for their elegant banding and constant grazing activity. This mixed-grade selection offers naturally varied patterns and colour coverage, making each shrimp distinctive. Best kept in a mature aquarium with stable, soft, slightly acidic water.
Common Name: Crystal Black Caridina Shrimp (Mixed Grade)Scientific Name: Caridina cf. cantonensis (Crystal Black / Bee Shrimp)Origin: Captive-bred ornamental strain; ancestral bee shrimp originate from southern China and Hong KongMaximum Size: 2–3 cm (0.8–1.2 inches)
Crystal Black Caridina Shrimp Water Parameters
pH
6.0–6.8
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 ranges are retained from the existing product listing; many breeders maintain narrower targets within them.
About Crystal Black Caridina Shrimp Crystal Black Shrimp are selectively bred black-and-white bee shrimp from the Caridina cantonensis species complex. Their dark bands contrast with white markings, with the amount, opacity and pattern of each colour varying by individual. This is a mixed-grade selection, so a specific premium grade or banding pattern is not guaranteed.
Aquarium Setup & Care Crystal Black Shrimp do best in a mature, fully cycled aquarium with stable, soft, slightly acidic water and very low KH. Active buffering aquasoil and RO/DI water remineralized with a GH-only Caridina mineral are commonly used. Provide mosses, plants, hiding places and mature biofilm, along with sponge filtration or a protected intake. Keep ammonia and nitrite undetectable and avoid sudden changes in chemistry, temperature or copper-containing medications.
Feeding & Nutrition Breeding Crystal Black Caridina Shrimp Crystal Black Shrimp can breed in mature, stable soft-water aquariums. Females carry eggs under the abdomen, and the young hatch as miniature shrimp that benefit from dense moss and established biofilm. Mixed-grade parents can produce varied black-and-white patterns and opacity. Keep a dedicated breeding colony and select adults with preferred markings if maintaining a consistent line is your goal.
Acclimation & Live Shipping Inspect shrimp promptly upon arrival and acclimate carefully to differences in temperature, pH and dissolved minerals. Gradual acclimation, such as drip acclimation, is commonly used for soft-water Caridina. Avoid abrupt changes. Orders are supported by The Wet Leaf's 100% Live Arrival Guarantee, subject to published terms.
Frequently Asked Questions What is the difference between Crystal Black and Crystal Red Shrimp? Both are closely related bee shrimp with similar care needs. Crystal Blacks display black-and-white markings instead of red-and-white markings.What does mixed grade mean? Individuals vary in black-and-white coverage, opacity and banding; a specific grade is not guaranteed.Can Crystal Black and Crystal Red Shrimp breed together? Yes. Their offspring can carry mixed colour-line genetics, so keep separate colonies if maintaining a particular breeding line matters.Are Crystal Black Shrimp beginner-friendly? They are better suited to aquarists prepared to maintain stable, soft, acidic water.
New to Keeping Shrimp?
Learn about aquarium setup, water chemistry, feeding and breeding in our Aquascape Academy. Crystal Black 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.
