The Bee Shrimp is native to southern Asia. The Bee Shrimp is the wild type form of the selectively bred Crystal Red Shrimp. First selectively bred in Japan for darker black colors and more solid white banding, the Bee Shrimp became much more popular in The United States after the popularity explosion of the Crystal Red Shrimp in the early 2000's. Today there are many pattern verities and even a fully white version of the Bee Shrimp available.

Bee Shrimp Care

Bee Shrimp are a little more demanding than many other Dwarf Shrimp. Water is required to be soft and slightly acidic for the Bee Shrimp to be happy. They also prefer a little less than tropical temperatures. As with all Dwarf Shrimp the aquarium should be well established and parameters should be kept stable.

Bee Shrimp Diet

Bee Shrimp are omnivores and share the same diet that most Dwarf Shrimp enjoy. Algae eaters by nature, the Bee Shrimp will eat naturally occurring algae in the home aquarium. While they are algae eaters it is often necessary to supplement the Bee Shrimps diet. Sinking food intended for bottom feeding fish or any food intended for aquatic invertebrates will do just fine. There are foods made in Japan specifically for Bee Shrimp and Crystal Red Shrimp that are high quality foods, but are not necessary.

Bee Shrimp Breeding

If optimal care requirements are met, the Bee Shrimp is fairly easy to breed.

They are fairly difficult to determine the sex, as there are no easily identifiable sexual difference. The male has a thinner and shorter tail section is fully grown is a little smaller than the female. The female has a larger tail section and if they have a clear area near the top part of their back a saddle will often be viable (as in the insert, visible behind the head just before second black line). The Bee Shrimp takes a little bit longer to mature and longer to hatch than many other Dwarf Shrimp.

Bee Shrimp Behavior

Bee Shrimp are non-aggressive, and are quite active. In an aquarium that has no predators Bee Shrimp will often be observed searching for food on the gravel, on plants, on decorations, and even on filters.

Bee Shrimp Notes

As with all aquatic invertebrates it is important to make sure copper does not get into the aquarium. Copper is toxic to all Dwarf Shrimp. Many medications contain elevated levels of copper, so it is recommended not to medicate an aquarium with Dwarf Shrimp in it.

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