Want to dive into the world of Sulawesi shrimp? The Indonesian Sulawesi lakes contain a wealth of fascinating and amazingly colored freshwater shrimp species. Most of these are not easy to keep and breed at all, but there is an exception. If you want to avoid the fussiness of cardinal shrimp and other fragile Sulawesi species, the blue leg poso shrimp (Caridina caerulea) might be just the shrimp for you!

Keep reading for everything you need to know about Caridina caerulea and keeping the blue leg poso shrimp in your own aquarium.

Scientific nameCairina caerulea
Common nameBlue leg Poso
Difficulty levelIntermediate
OriginLake Poso in Sulawesi, Indonesia

Blue leg Poso shrimp appearance

While not as colorful as some other Sulawesi shrimp, Caridina caerulea is still a real stunner. It can easily be recognized by its long, blue rostrum, clear to blueish body and bright orange antennae.

Keep in mind that the common name blue leg poso is used for two very similar shrimp species: Caridina caerulea (which has two blue spots on the tail) and Caridina ensifera (orange tail spots and a more orange body). Care for these is pretty much the same, though.

Blue leg Poso shrimp requirements

Although we wouldn't describe the blue leg poso as an 'easy' or 'beginner' shrimp, they are a little more forgiving than most other Sulawesi species. If you haven't kept shrimp before, it's a good idea to get some practice with a less demanding variety. The ever-popular cherry shrimp is a good option for first-time shrimp keepers.

Try to go for at least a 10-gallon aquarium, as larger setups will be easier to keep stable. A filter is necessary to cycle the tank; sponge filters or anything with a filter guard to protect baby shrimp should work well. A heater is also a must, as Caridina caerulea naturally occurs in warm waters and won't respond well to lower temperatures.

Decor-wise, it's important to keep in mind that all Sulawesi shrimp are relatively shy. Although you should see the blue leg poso out in the open a lot more than many of its cousins, it still prefers a relatively dark set-up with a few hiding spots. Live plants and other surfaces where algae and biofilm can grow are always a plus.

Blue leg poso shrimp (Caridina caerulea)

Water quality

Probably the most important and challenging aspect of Sulawesi shrimp care is water quality. These shrimp do not respond well to fluctuating water values and any traces of ammonia, nitrite or copper. Never introduce any livestock in an aquarium that hasn't been fully cycled. In fact, it's probably a good idea to let your tank mature a little longer than usual for Caridina caerulea.

The Sulawesi lakes are known for their relatively alkaline water, which means a pH above neutral is the way to go. Hardness should be medium.

pH: 7.5-8.5

Temperature: 77-84 °F

Tankmates

An invert-only setup is probably the way to go here, as fish might prey on shrimp fry and cause unnecessary stress. Caridina caerulea can be kept with other Sulawesi shrimp and snails like the popular rabbit snail, which also naturally occurs in Sulawesi. 

If you're not too concerned about matching the exact geographic location, you can also try black devil snails or even hardy Neocaridina varieties. Just be sure to keep temperatures on the lower end of the spectrum for the blue legs if you go this route.

Blue leg Poso shrimp diet

Sulawesi shrimp like Caridina caerulea seem more dependent on micro-organisms and biofilm as their food source than many of the other dwarf shrimp we keep. They don't always seem that attracted to "regular" shrimp foods.

To keep this species healthy and well-fed, consider feeding very fine foods and leave algae to grow on surfaces like rocks. You can also dose a product that enhances the growth of biofilm in your tank. It might look a little gross, but your shrimp love it!

Breeding blue leg Poso shrimp

Breeding Caridina caerulea is easier than you'd expect from Sulawesi shrimp. As long as their requirements are met, these shrimp should breed relatively easily.

The fry doesn't go through a larval stage, which means extra care isn't needed as long as there's plenty of nutritious biofilm and algae present. So if you want to breed your Caridina caerulea, all you have to do is keep them happy and healthy and things will work out on their own!

Buying Caridina caerulea

Despite the fact that breeding Caridina caerulea is relatively easy, they aren't very common in the aquarium hobby yet. You probably won't find them in your average aquarium store, although you could try asking the staff to order a few for you. Other than that, you'll probably be most likely to find this species sold online.

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