Caridina cantonensis
The ancestor of CRS, Crystal Black, Taiwan Bees. Markings are less crisp than CRS but care is identical. Good gateway from Neocaridina to Caridina-keeping.
Bee Shrimp (wild) (Caridina cantonensis) reaches 2.5–3 cm and needs a minimum tank of 30 L with a colony of 10+. Native to Southern China, Hong Kong. Aim for 20–24 °C, pH 5.8–6.8, 3–6 dGH, and 100–160 ppm TDS. Lifespan: 1.5 years. Breeding: medium. Diet: omnivore / detritivore, Biofilm, specialised caridina foods, blanched spinach. Plant-safe: Yes. Tank-mates: Species-only.
Care at a glance
The ancestor of CRS, Crystal Black, Taiwan Bees. Markings are less crisp than CRS but care is identical. Good gateway from Neocaridina to Caridina-keeping.
By Mike ElmiraUpdated 1 min read
Part of our complete freshwater shrimp guide.
Hero photo by DirkBlankenhaus · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikipedia
The parameters that decide whether bee shrimp (wild) fits in your tank.
10+
Omnivore / detritivore
Biofilm, specialised caridina foods, blanched spinach.
Medium
1.5 yrs
Soft acidic streams of southern China
Southern China, Hong Kong
Tank-mate safety and the species this one is documented to thrive (or fail) alongside.
Other Caridina morphs. Otocinclus with caution.
Fish over 5 cm, Neocaridina (parameter mismatch).
Hard-won lessons from the tank.
Wild Bees are the foundational stock for advanced shrimp keeping. If you want to start breeding CRS or experimental crosses, a base of wild bees gives genetic diversity. Same setup rigour as CRS.
What can go wrong and how to spot it.
Failure modes, in order of how dramatic the fix is.
Same as CRS — sensitive to parameter shifts.
Same as CRS — wrong water parameters kill them.
The practical routine, read top to bottom.
Same as CRS — active soil, RO + remineraliser, sponge filter.
Where it comes from, how it behaves, and the variants you'll see at retail.
Where it lived before it came home.
Streams and pools in southern China (Guangdong, Hong Kong). Tannin-rich, soft, acidic water in shaded forest streams.
How they pair, reproduce, and grow.
Same as all Caridina — females larger, saddle, curved underside.
Every 4–6 weeks. Same sensitivities as CRS.
Direct freshwater development.
The named cultivars and the lookalikes worth flagging.
Wild bees are the ancestors of CRS, Black Bee, Crystal Black, and Taiwan Bee strains. Wild bees have black-and-white striping less crisp than CRS.
Direct answers to the questions search engines and AI assistants surface most often about this species.
Minimum tank: 30 L with a colony of 10+. Bee Shrimp (wild) (Caridina cantonensis) reach 2.5–3 cm as adults.
Target 20–24 °C, pH 5.8–6.8, 3–6 dGH, and 100–160 ppm TDS. Mature, cycled, low-nitrate water is non-negotiable.
Tank-mate notes: Species-only. Plant safety: Yes.
Breeding: Medium. In a stable colony of 10+ adults you will see berried females naturally once parameters and food are right.
Diet: omnivore / detritivore, Biofilm, specialised caridina foods, blanched spinach. Algae-eating rating: 3/5.
Typical lifespan: 1.5 years.
A planted tank is a system. Pair this shrimp with one entry from each other pillar to plan the whole scape.
