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Snails5 Blue Bolt Shrimp
Introduce a vibrant addition to your aquarium with the selectively bred Blue Bolt Shrimp, a blue variant of the neocaridina shrimp. Originally bred in Taiwan, it's now a popular choice among Dwarf Shrimp enthusiasts worldwide. With a lifespan of 1-2 years, they grow to 1.25 inches and can be purchased at a smaller size of 0.65-1 inch. A perfect way to add some color and vitality to your aquatic community.
Blue Bolt Shrimp
The Blue Bolt Shrimp is the selectively bred red color variant of the neocaridina Shrimp. Originally selectively bred in Taiwan for its blue coloration, the Blue Bolt Shrimp is becoming one of the most popular Dwarf Shrimp across the globe.
Blue Bolt Shrimp Behavior
Blue Bolt Shrimp are non-aggressive and are quite active. In an aquarium that has no predators, Blue Bolt Shrimp will often be observed grazing on algae on aquarium plants, decorations, and on the substrate. When fed, the shrimp will often form large groups that are quite striking in appearance.
Blue Bolt Shrimp Care
Blue bolt shrimp are a bee shrimp variety, just like the more well-known Crystal red shrimp. This means their care requirements are quite similar. General dwarf shrimp care guidelines also apply. Go for an aquarium of at least 5 gallons (19L), but keep in mind that a larger setup is easier to keep stable.
If you're a beginner, you might want to consider something like a 10 gallon (38L), as blue bolt shrimp aren't as sturdy as their Neocaridina cousins. They can be sensitive to bad water values. Tanks this size can sustain large colonies without a problem.
You can find the full Blue Bolt Shrimp care sheet in the link.
Buying Blue Bolt Shrimp
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.
Scientific Name: Caridina cf cantonensis 'Blue bolt'
Common Name: Blue Bolt
Other Common Name: Extreme Blue Bolt, Dark Blue Bolt
Temperament: Peaceful
Breeding: Difficult
Care Level: Semi-difficult
Origin: Southern China
Found in Wild: No
Life Span: 1-2 Years
Gestation Period: 30 Days
Full Grown Size: 1.25"
Approximate Purchase Size: 0.65"-1"
General Water Parameters:
pH Range: 6.2-7.8
Temperature Range: 65-85 °F
GH Range: 3-7
KH Range: 1-8
TDS Range: 75-150
The Shrimp Farm’s Water Parameters:
pH Range: 6.2-6.9
Temperature Range: 70 - 76 °F
GH Range: 4-6
KH Range: 0-1 (Ideally 0)
TDS Range: 75-150
Currently Being Fed: Ebita Breed Quatro 2 - 20g
How big do Blue Bolt Shrimp get?
The females can reach up to around 1.6"/4 cm, while the males stay a bit smaller.
How many Blue Bolt Shrimp can I keep per gallon?
You can keep an almost infinite amount of Blue Bolt shrimp per gallon of aquarium water volume as long as you make sure to start with at least a 5-gallon tank. Stay on top of maintenance, and the colony should balance itself.
How long does Blue Bolt Shrimp live?
Blue Bolt shrimp's lifespan strongly depends on factors like water quality, diet, and temperature. In the right conditions, they can make it at least a year, even up to two.
How fast do Blue Bolt Shrimp grow?
Pretty darn quickly! In the right conditions, they are able to grow from freshly hatched fry to breeding adults in 2-2.5 months.
Is Blue Bolt Shrimp easy to Breed?
If optimal care requirements are met, the Blue Bolt Shrimp is fairly easy to breed. It can be difficult to determine the sex of a Blue Bolt Shrimp. The males are slightly smaller and have shorter, thinner tail sections. The females are larger with a longer and wider tail section. In our shop, we sell great Breeding Aids for you to help the breeding process go easier and faster.
Will different shrimp species breed with each other?
Yes, most Neocaridina species will breed with other Neocaridina species, and many Caridina species will breed with other Caridina species. Neocaridina species will not breed with Caridina species. It is not recommended to keep any species that may interbreed with each other. Check out our dwarf shrimp compatibility chart to see what shrimp will not interbreed with Blue Bolt Shrimp.
Why is my Blue Bolt Shrimp losing color?
Blue Bolt shrimp can fade if the water quality is off - have you done a water test yet? You can get great water quality test kits in our shop. It can also be related to substrate color. It's often recommended to keep the colorful species on a darker substrate, or they may fade to help them blend in.
How often do Blue Bolt Shrimp molt?
Depends on their age! Blue Bolt shrimp grow very quickly. This also means they molt a lot (at least every few days at first) until they reach their adult size, after which they slow down to about once a month.
What is the diet of Blue Bolt Shrimp?
Blue Bolt Shrimp are omnivores and share the same diet that most Dwarf Shrimp enjoy. They will eat just about anything in an aquarium, that is edible. Blue Bolt Shrimp will eat the algae that naturally occurs in aquariums. Sinking pellets and blanched (boiled until soft) vegetables make good foods for dwarf shrimp, as well. But Blue Bolt will oftentimes need supplemental feedings. Aquarium foods intended for bottom feeders and aquatic invertebrates are readily accepted, as are blanched vegetables (boiled until soft). You can find wide veracity of good shrimp foods in our shop. The Blue Bolt Shrimp you order are currently eating Ebita Breed Quatro 2 - 20g
What type of filter should I use?
A sponge filter is the best filter for a shrimp-only aquarium. Another good option is a corner box filter. Most power filters will suck smaller shrimp into the filter and kill them, so they are not recommended. In our shop, you can find a nice selection of filters that are safe for shrimps.
What are the best plants for Blue Bolt Shrimp?
Any aquarium plants are great if you'd like to keep Blue Bolt shrimp! They love to hide in and forage on the leaves. A few personal favorites are java moss, floating plants, and hair grass (Eleocharis acicularis). All the plants we sell are great for Blue Bolt Shrimp. You can find out more about Freshwater aquarium plants here.
What is the best substrate for Blue Bolt Shrimp?
Blue Bolt shrimp can lose their color if kept on a light substrate. After all, they're prey animals, so they like to blend in as a means to avoid predators. Your best bet is to go for a dark substrate; the type doesn't matter much for your shrimp. In fact, they even do fine with no substrate at all.
What are the best tank mates for Blue Bolt Shrimp?
Blue Bolt shrimp, like other dwarf shrimp, are very peaceful and vulnerable creatures. They will never harm any tankmates but will easily fall prey to hungry fish. It might be a good idea to set up a single-species aquarium. Still, peaceful inverts like other shrimp and small snails are always a possibility. You can check out the dwarf shrimp compatibility chart to see what shrimp will be a great match for the Blue Bolt Shrimp.
Aquarists who don't mind losing some of their stock can combine them with a number of peaceful species, including the popular Corydoras and Otocinclus catfish, small schooling fish, and more. Learn more about The Best Types Of Fish For Your Shrimp Aquarium here. The shrimp should usually breed quickly enough to sustain the population despite regular casualties, provided there are enough hiding places. Not enough hiding places for your shrimp? We have some great hiding decorations in our shop.
What is the best way to Acclimate my new Blue Bolt Shrimp?
When adding new shrimp into your established already existing tank, it is important to take the proper steps in introducing and acclimating them into their new home. The whole process is extremely stressful for the shrimp. Acclimation is important for shrimp as it allows them time to adjust to the temperature and parameters of their new environment. By doing this correctly, you will reduce the chances of shock or death of your new shrimps. You can find the step-by-step process of acclimating shrimp here.
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