Blue bolt shrimp
Caridina cantonensis (Taiwan bee)
advanced careOverview
Blue bolt shrimp are a prized colour form of the Taiwan bee line of Caridina cantonensis — solid gradients of blue and white that make a stunning display colony. They are, however, an advanced shrimp. Where cherry shrimp (Neocaridina) tolerate ordinary tap water, blue bolts (Caridina) demand soft, acidic, closely controlled water and reward attention to detail. They’re a beautiful step up for keepers ready to dial in their parameters.
Tank & water
A stable, mature 19 litre (5 gallon) tank or larger suits a colony, but the water is everything:
- Soft, acidic water — low GH (about 4–6), KH near zero, pH roughly 5.8–6.5, held steady. Most keepers build this from RO water remineralised with a shrimp salt.
- Active (buffering) soil — an aqua soil substrate that lowers and buffers the pH is standard for Caridina.
- A fully cycled, mature tank — cycle completely; these shrimp are very sensitive to ammonia and nitrite.
- No copper — copper in some medications and fertilisers is lethal to shrimp. Check every label.
Feeding
Blue bolts are omnivores that graze biofilm and algae, so a mature, stable tank feeds them much of the time. Supplement a few times a week with a quality shrimp food, blanched vegetables or a biofilm booster — sparingly, as leftover food fouls the sensitive soft water. Consistent, light feeding keeps the colony healthy without spiking nutrients. Our best shrimp tank guide covers a setup that keeps water pristine.
Tankmates & breeding
Keep blue bolts in a species-only tank for best results — they’re peaceful but tiny, and most fish will eat the shrimplets. In stable soft, acidic water a healthy colony breeds steadily; females carry eggs under the tail until fully formed shrimplets hatch. The keys to breeding are rock-steady parameters and a mature tank rich in biofilm. Avoid mixing them with cherry shrimp and other Neocaridina — the water needs differ, and some Caridina can interbreed and dilute colours. See how to set up a shrimp tank to build the controlled conditions they need.
Blue bolt shrimp — frequently asked questions
Are blue bolt shrimp hard to keep?
Yes — they're an advanced Caridina (Taiwan bee) shrimp. Unlike hardy Neocaridina, they need soft, acidic, tightly controlled water, usually built from RO water and a buffering active soil. They're sensitive to swings, so stability and testing matter far more than with cherry shrimp.
What water parameters do blue bolt shrimp need?
Soft and acidic: a low GH (around 4–6), a KH at or near zero, and a pH of roughly 5.8–6.5, held steady. Most keepers use RO water remineralised with a shrimp-specific salt over an active (buffering) soil, and keep the temperature on the cool side.
Can blue bolt shrimp live with cherry shrimp?
It's generally avoided. Blue bolts (Caridina) want soft, acidic water while cherry shrimp (Neocaridina) prefer neutral, harder water, so neither is at its best in a compromise. They can also interbreed with some related Caridina, muddying colours, so most keepers house them separately.
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