Caridina mariae

About This Species

Basic Description

The Bee Shrimp, which includes popular varieties like the Crystal Red, Crystal Black, and Tiger Shrimp, is a small freshwater crustacean from Asia. They are excellent little cleaners for an aquarium, spending their days actively exploring the bottom. They eat leftover bits of food, algae, and the natural film that grows on surfaces. These shrimp are peaceful and feel safest when kept in small groups with their own kind. Because they are so small and produce very little waste, they are a great addition to many freshwater tanks, adding activity and helping to keep the environment clean without disturbing other inhabitants.

Detailed Description

Caridina mariae, commonly known as the Bee Shrimp and its various color morphs, is a fascinating bottom-dwelling omnivore native to Asia. These shrimp play a vital role in a tank's ecosystem as part of the 'clean-up crew.' They are tireless foragers, constantly grazing on biofilm, detritus, and various forms of algae, which they supplement with prepared foods like pellets and blanched vegetables. Being social creatures, they thrive in established groups, which encourages more natural, confident behavior. While they can breed in a home aquarium, success requires stable and clean water conditions, reflecting their medium difficulty rating. Their low metabolic rate and minimal waste production mean they have a very small bioload, making them suitable for smaller, well-maintained setups. Their moderate activity level consists of methodically picking at surfaces, making them both a beneficial and captivating species for the dedicated aquarist.

Scientific Description

Caridina mariae is a freshwater decapod crustacean belonging to the Atyidae family, endemic to Asian aquatic environments. This species occupies a benthic niche, demonstrating a low metabolic rate and consequently, very low oxygen consumption and waste production, which results in a minimal bioload factor. Its diet is omnivorous, functioning ecologically as a detritivore and a consumer of biofilm and algae, playing a significant role in nutrient cycling within its habitat. Behaviorally, C. mariae is a moderately active, gregarious species that exhibits optimal natural foraging when maintained in social groups. Its reproductive strategy is categorized as moderate for captive environments, achievable under specific and stable physicochemical water parameters. Its classification within the phylum Arthropoda and class Malacostraca places it among a diverse group of invertebrates, but its specific environmental requirements and peaceful social characteristics define its role in a controlled aquatic system.