Curated catalog
Blue Bolt Shrimp
Caridina cantonensis var. Blue Bolt
The *Caridina* Blue Bolt is probably the most coveted (and expensive) freshwater dwarf shrimp. It belongs to the Taiwan Bee family, but stands out for a breathtaking livery: the head is a deep blue that fades into an ice blue towards the tail. It inherits all the genetic vulnerabilities of the King Kong line: immune fragility, extremely high infant mortality and zero tolerance for any deviation from the ideal water parameters (KH 0, pH 5.5-6.0, TDS 110-120). A genetic masterpiece for elite aquarists.
- Family
- Atyidae
- Origin
- Variante cromatica estrema nata in Asia (Taiwan) dalle selezioni incrociate di Taiwan Bee. La colorazione blu/azzurra è il risultato dell'assenza di pigmento rosso/nero combinata con un'intensa pigmentazione sottostante.
- Tank use
- Used in 0 tanks
18 °C - 23 °C
5.5 - 6
Freshwater
Pascolatore di biofilm / Gioiello da riproduzione
Estrema (Mortalità fulminea al 100%)
Description
The Tannin Surgery and the Botanical Obsession (The Necessary Acid Futile Deaf Mute):
In addition to the active soil, the Blue Bolt require a continuous supply of tannins. Catappa (Indian almond) leaves, alder cones and walnut leaves are not a decorative option, they are a MEDICAL PRESCRIPTION. They release humic acids that act as a natural antibacterial against pathogens, and, degrading, provide the food base (infusoria and bacteria) without which the very weak babies of the Blue Bolt would not survive the first week of life.
Care and observations
The Blue Mirage and the Corrupted Water (The Deadly Fading Deaf Mute Futile):
The intense blue of the Blue Bolt is not just a color, it is the BAROMETER of water quality. If the pH rises above 6.2, if the TDS rise to 150, or if there is a minimal organic spike, the shrimp will not die immediately. First, its carapace will "vanish", becoming a faded brownish-gray. If you see a Blue Bolt losing color, you have 24 hours to correct the parameters before the immune collapse kills it. It is a relentless visual alarm.
Invertebrate profile
- Type
- Gamberetto Nano Estremo (Acqua Tenera)
- Diet
- Onnivoro specializzato / Biofilm / Integratori e vegetali ad alto tenore vitaminico
- Ecological role
- Pascolatore di biofilm / Gioiello da riproduzione
- Minimum group
- 10
- Adult size
- 2.2 cm
- GH
- 4 dGH - 5 dGH
- KH
- 0 dKH - 0 dKH
- TDS
- 110 ppm - 120 ppm
- Copper
- Estrema (Mortalità fulminea al 100%)
- Shock sensitivity
- Massima (Sbalzi minimi distruggono la pigmentazione prima di ucciderle)
- Calcium and minerals
- Medio (Il bilanciamento GH/TDS deve essere chirurgico)
- Molting
- Durante la muta diventano quasi bianche/trasparenti, riacquistando il blu intenso solo dopo che il carapace si è indurito.
- Reproduction
- Estremamente difficile. Le femmine incubano poche uova (spesso verdi o scure) per 35-40 giorni a temperature fresche (21°C).
- Compatibility
- Monospecifico assoluto. Eventualmente allevate insieme ad altre Taiwan Bee o Crystal per creare la variante mista (Mischling), ma la linea Blue pura va isolata.
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.