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Are Crystal Red Shrimp the Same Thing As Taiwan Bees?

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Taiwan Bees and Crystal Red Shrimp are some of the most popular freshwater shrimp around. Crystal Reds, in particular, are extremely expensive, especially the higher grades. But are these two the same–can you buy a Taiwan Bee and get a Crystal Red?

Crystal Red Shrimp are not the same thing as Taiwan Bees. Both shrimp are variations of the same species, Caridina cantonensis, but they have different appearances and care requirements. However, they can mate and breed. 

This article will examine some of the differences between Crystal Red Shrimp and Taiwan Bees. I’ll also explain why these two shrimp can breed despite these differences.

Understanding Crystal Red Shrimp

Crystal Red Shrimp were selectively bred from Crystal Black Shrimp. They originate from South-East Asia and are a white and red-colored shrimp that are extremely popular among aquarists. This popularity also means they are relatively expensive, as the higher grades can sell for high amounts of money. 

Care Requirements of Crystal Red Shrimp

Like other freshwater shrimp, Crystal Reds are relatively picky about their water conditions, which is why they are not always recommended to beginning aquarists. However, they are easier to raise than Taiwan Bees.

  • Temperature: 62-78 degrees Fahrenheit (16.67 to 25.56 degrees Celsius)
  • pH: slightly acidic, 5.8-7.4
  • Ammonia and nitrite levels: 0 ppm
  • Nitrate levels: 0-20 ppm, as close to 0 ppm as possible
  • gH: 4-6
  • kH: 0-4
  • Total Dissolved Solids: 100-200

Additionally, there should be water changes every week, with about 30% of the water in your shrimp tank being changed. 

Keeping the pH stable with such a low recommended kH can be a challenge, which you’ll also face when raising Taiwan Bees. Because of this, I recommend using a buffering/active substrate to help stabilize the pH. They help make the water more acidic and keep your water parameters stable.

I recommend using Fluval Plant and Shrimp Stratum, available on Amazon.com. This substrate is made with volcanic soil and keeps your tank at a mildly acidic pH, which is what you need for both Crystal Red and Taiwan Bee shrimp.

Understanding Taiwan Bees

Unlike Crystal Reds, which are a selectively bred mutation of Crystal Blacks, Taiwan Bees are an unwitting mutation of Crystal Reds, making them an additional mutation removed from the original Crystal Blacks. The first Taiwan Bee variation bred was the Blue Bolt. As the name suggests, the Blue Bolt shrimp is blue in color, with white speckles and occasionally an entirely white tail.

Other Taiwan Bee varieties include:

  • Red Ruby
  • King Kong
  • Blue Bolt Mosura
  • King-King Ghost
  • Red Wine
  • Red Ruby
  • Panda

Care Requirements of Taiwan Bees

Like Crystal Red Shrimp, Taiwan Bees are not shrimp that should be attempted by beginner aquarists. While breeding them is relatively simple once the water conditions are right, Taiwan Bees are incredibly picky about their water conditions. In fact, they are far more particular than Crystal Reds, which are already a challenge for aquarists to get right. 

  • Temperature: 68-73 degrees Fahrenheit (20 to 22.78 degrees Celsius)
  • pH: slightly acidic, 6.2 to 6.5
  • Nitrate levels: should ideally be kept as close to 0 ppm as possible
  • Ammonia and nitrite levels: 0 ppm 
  • gH: 3-7
  • kH: as close to the 0-1 range as possible, or your shrimp may be unable to mold safely
  • Total Dissolved Solids: 75-150

Like Crystal Reds, Taiwan Bees require weekly water changes to prevent the ammonia, nitrate, and nitrite levels from rising and killing them. 

As you can see, both Crystal Reds and Taiwan Bees are challenging to raise, but Taiwan Bees have narrower parameters than their progenitors. The temperature, in particular, can be challenging to control–unless the temperature in the room where the tank is located is exceptionally consistent. Even the smallest changes beyond their preferred temperature range can kill these shrimp. 

Because of this, I always use a heater to control the temperatures in my shrimp tank. I recommend the Orlushy Submersible Aquarium Heater from Amazon.com. This aquarium is suitable for tanks between 20 and 30 gallons (75.71 to 113.56 liters) and allows you to control the temperature from 68 to 89 degrees Fahrenheit (20 to 31.67 degrees Celsius), which is perfect for both Crystal Red and Taiwan Bee shrimp.

Can Taiwan Bee and Crystal Red Shrimp Breed?

Taiwan Bees and Crystal Reds are both varieties of the same species: Caridina cantonensis. This means that, although Taiwan Bees are a mutation of Crystal Reds, the two can breed.

In fact, the original Taiwan Bees were extremely fragile and died easily. They were bred with Crystal Reds to stabilize them, which improved their genetics and made them the hardier variety (as compared to the original) known today.

So, unless you want to interbreed the two varieties, it’s recommended that you keep them in different tanks. Both varieties breed easily, given the perfect water conditions.

Final Thoughts

Despite being varieties of the same species, Crystal Red shrimp and Taiwan Bee shrimp are not the same thing. They have different origins, and Taiwan Bee shrimp are more sensitive to water changes than Crystal Reds. However, the two shrimp can breed together because they are the same species. 

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