Caridina mariae

The Bee Shrimp, which you might also know as the Crystal Bee or Taiwan Bee Shrimp, is a small and peaceful crustacean perfect for a dedicated small aquarium. These little creatures grow to about an inch long and are fantastic cleaners, constantly searching for algae, leftover food bits, and other tiny particles on the tank floor. To be happy and healthy, they need to live in a group with at least five of their own kind.

Caring for them can be a little tricky, so they are best for someone with a bit of aquarium experience. They require very clean, soft freshwater that is kept at a stable, cooler temperature. Sudden changes in their water can be harmful. For food, they are not picky and will happily eat specialized shrimp pellets, wafers, and even blanched vegetables like spinach or zucchini. They are very gentle and won't bother any tank mates, but because they are so small, they should only be kept with other tiny, peaceful creatures or in a tank by themselves. With good care, these fascinating little shrimp can live for up to two years, constantly scouring your tank and keeping it tidy.

Caridina mariae, commonly known as the Bee Shrimp, is a captivating dwarf shrimp from Asia that has become a favorite among dedicated aquarists. These shrimp are prized not only for their striking color patterns but also for their role as an effective cleanup crew. As bottom-dwelling omnivores, they are relentless foragers, consuming biofilm, algae, and detritus, which helps maintain a cleaner aquatic environment. Their minimal waste production gives them a very low impact on the tank's bioload.

Successfully keeping Bee Shrimp hinges on providing a stable environment that mimics their native, low-flow streams. They require soft, slightly acidic water, and keepers often use reverse osmosis (RO) water remineralized with specific shrimp salts to achieve the ideal low levels of general and carbonate hardness. Maintaining a consistent, cooler water temperature is crucial, as they are sensitive to fluctuations and do not fare well in warm water. A minimum tank size of 10 gallons is recommended, not because of their size, but to create a more stable water volume that is less prone to rapid chemical or temperature shifts. The tank should be well-established, with plenty of surfaces like driftwood, stones, and live plants to encourage the growth of biofilm, their primary natural food source.

Socially, Bee Shrimp are shoaling animals that thrive in groups of six or more. This grouping provides a sense of security, encouraging them to be more active and visible. Due to their very small adult size and peaceful nature, they are easily outcompeted for food or preyed upon. Therefore, a species-only tank is the most common and recommended setup. If tank mates are desired, only other dwarf shrimp or very small, non-aggressive species like Otocinclus catfish should be considered. Breeding is achievable and rated as moderately difficult; females will carry eggs under their pleopods (swimmerets) and, in stable, ideal water conditions, will release fully formed, miniature versions of the adults, requiring no specialized larval care.

Caridina mariae is a freshwater decapod crustacean belonging to the Atyidae family, indigenous to Asian freshwater systems. This species exhibits a narrow range of tolerance for environmental parameters, making its husbandry a specialized endeavor. It requires soft water (dGH approximately 4-6) with a slightly acidic pH, conditions that are critical for its osmoregulation and successful ecdysis (molting). The total dissolved solids (TDS) should be maintained around 150 ppm, a key indicator of the correct ionic balance. Thermoregulation is also a significant factor; the species thrives in a stable, cool thermal range and is intolerant of temperatures exceeding 24°C. This low thermal tolerance is consistent with its low metabolic rate and very low oxygen consumption.

Ecologically, C. mariae functions as a benthic omnivore and detritivore. Its environmental interactions are primarily centered on being a biofilm consumer and algae cleaner, positioning it as a primary grazer within its habitat. This feeding strategy means a mature aquarium with established microbial communities on surfaces is essential for its well-being. Its diet can be supplemented with prepared foods, but its primary nutritional intake is from continuous foraging. The species' very low waste production is quantified by a low bioload factor (0.3), making it suitable for nano-aquarium ecosystems, provided stringent water quality is upheld.

From a conservation perspective, the species is listed with an IUCN status of Vulnerable (VU), which underscores the ecological pressures on its native populations and highlights the importance of ethical, captive-bred sourcing within the ornamental trade. Behaviorally, C. mariae is a shoaling species, and maintaining it in groups is necessary to mitigate stress and encourage natural foraging and reproductive behaviors. Reproduction is rated as moderate; it is ovigerous, and females carry clutches of eggs that hatch into direct-developing shrimplets, bypassing a free-swimming larval stage. This reproductive strategy is highly dependent on the maintenance of the aforementioned stable and specific water parameters.