Black Pinto Shrimp - Shadow Shrimp - Taiwan Bee - Caridina sp

The black pinto shrimp Caridina sp. was created by crossing bee shrimp, taiwan shrimp and tiger shrimp and belongs to the type Shadow shrimp. It impresses with deep, rich colors and a beautifully clear pattern of markings. Classically, Pintos tend to show their white markings on the abdomen, often consisting of stripes or spots.
The Pinto shrimp grows to a body length of about 3-3.5 inches, with females becoming larger and also beefier.

Like all variants and relatives of the bee shrimp, the Black Pinto Shrimp prefers rather soft water and a pH slightly acidic range. It is recommended to keep black pinto shrimp in osmosis water or fully demineralized water, which has been hardened with a special mineral salt for bee shrimp and other soft water shrimp. This water is ideal in combination with an active unfertilized Soil for keeping soft water shrimp, which keeps the water values in an ideal range for the Black Pintos. It is also possible to keep them on neutral gravel or shrimp gravel. Tap water is not suitable in most cases.

Regarding food, the Black Pinto Shrimp is not a picky eater. Like most dwarf shrimp it is a scavenger. Brown autumn leaves make a prime permanent food, two to three leaves should always be in the shrimp aquarium. The shrimp first graze the biofilms that form on them and later eat the leaf material itself. Giving a food designed for dwarf shrimp in combination with protein food twice a week also specifically for shrimp is proven.

The black pinto shrimp is still relatively rare, and although it gets along well with other shrimp, we advise a species tank here. The color form should be bred separately, it is still quite rare. Due to their somewhat lower offspring numbers they should also not be socialized with fish, crabs or crayfish. A good starting stock is a group of 10-15 Black Pintos in an aquarium from 20 l volume.

Temperatures in the aquarium should not exceed 25 °C, so in summer the tank may need to be cooled. In any case, ensure a good oxygen supply.

The Black Pinto Shrimp is not quite as prolific as the species and varieties from the genus Neocaridina, but if the environment is right, it multiplies properly. The females carry their 15-30 eggs under their abdomen for about 4-6 weeks, where they nurse and fan them. After this period of time, the young shrimp hatch and go on their own to explore the aquarium. Since the parents do not eat their offspring, the young can remain in the aquarium.

Our food recommendation: NatureHolic's soft mainfeed softpads are designed for daily feeding. They contain all the nutrients shrimp need for shell development, egg formation and growth. During the production we pay attention to a gentle and environmentally friendly production, in which the vitamins and other valuable ingredients are preserved as far as possible.

Our plant recommendation: Use for the planting NatureHolic InVitros. These are free of snails, planaria and other unwanted co-inhabitants. Also free of algae spores, bacteria and fungi.

Expert Tip: We recommend for fish keeping the NatureHolic 3 Phase Liquid. The care set offers the best all-round protection for your animals. It ensures optimal conditions for successful breeding and keeping.