Blue Bolt Shrimps are perfect for home aquariums. These tiny shrimps are 1-inch in size and they are playful and can Iive with other species. The blue bolt shrimps are one of the most expensive shrimps among all the community.
Contents
- 1 Blue Bolt Shrimp
- 1.1 Profile of Blue Bolt Shrimps
- 1.2 Scientific and other names
- 1.3 Origin and types of blue bolt shrimps
- 1.4 The appearance of blue bolt shrimps
- 1.5 Size
- 1.6 Habitat
- 1.7 Typical behavior
- 1.8 Diet of Blue Bolt Shrimps
- 1.9 Tank Requirements
- 1.10 Water requirements
- 1.11 Blue Bolt Shrimp Breeding
- 1.12 Tankmates
- 1.13 Do they need oxygenation?
- 1.14 Lifespan
- 1.15 Cost
Blue Bolt Shrimp
Blue bolt shrimps are the ornamentals of the aquariums, and they are fantastic species of freshwater.
Profile of Blue Bolt Shrimps
| Categories | Features |
| Scientific name | Caridina cf.cantonensis |
| Common name | Blue bolt, Blue king Kong shrimp |
| Origin | Taiwan, China |
| Behavior | Pacific |
| Lifespan | 1-1.5 Years, in some species 2 years |
| Breeding | Selective |
| Diet | Omnivores |
| Size | 1 inch approximately |
| Habitat | Freshwater |
| Temperament | Calm and peaceful |
| Tank size | 3-5 gallons of water |
| Biotope | Amazonian |
| Plant safe | Yes |
| Suitable for aquarium | Freshwater |
| Care level | Tricky |
The bolt shrimps are one of the most demanding and recognizable groups of shrimps. They are a fantastic addition to the aquariums. These shrimps are eye captivating and appealing.
The environment of the fish tank becomes attractive due to the presence of blue bolt shrimps. They are wondrous creatures with multiple features and have got the dominant effect due to high retail.
All of the blue bolt shrimps are fun lovers, and they like to swim in the whole aquarium. A bolt shrimp increases the value of freshwater by adding color and spark simultaneously. They are appealing creatures for the audience and keeps the water alive all the time.
It is one of the ideal choices when you add such a peaceful species with other tank mates. They are non-aggressive and supportive species for their other fellows. It is the best choice to add color and creativity to the fish tank.
They are compatible with the planted and non-planted water tanks equally. The effects are positive, and they keep the water oxygenated.
Scientific and other names
The scientific name of the blue bolt shrimp is from the same community as the shrimps. The scientific name is known as Caridina cf.cantonensis.
They are a breed of bee shrimps, and aquarists have a similar opinion on this fact. The bolt shrimps have multiple common names. All of them represent their sparkling and radiant color and appearance. The causal titles of the blue bolt shrimps are blue bolt, bee shrimps.
Origin and types of blue bolt shrimps
The blue bolt shrimps are the ancestors of the bee shrimps. They belong to Taiwan with a conflict. Few people believe that they are a breed of crystal black and shrimps. Some aquarists have other thoughts about them, but without a doubt, and they are a breed of two communities.
Some of the species of these shrimps are present in China. Hongkong and Vietnam also comprise some of their breeds.
There are multiple species of the blue bolt shrimps, and the classification relies on colors. The darkness and lighter tone of color vary from species to species in the same family.
The appearance of blue bolt shrimps
They are one of the most attractive shrimps that occur in freshwater aquariums. They are costly, but yet people like to add them to their fish tanks. They have a dominant blue color that also represents their name. The color changes into proportions of white all over their body.
The blue color varies in tone and texture. It is sometimes a darker blue color, and then it turns in to lighter tone. Few species contain the sky blue color on their skin. The translucency varies from one species to another, and it helps in the selection.
They have a grading system due to this pattern of colors. It is not a complex system, but it exists in this species.
The intensity of the color represents the staging of the grade in these shrimps. The shrimps that have an intense and dark blue color are expensive than the other shrimps.
The solid blue bolt shrimps are high in grading and are rare. Few of them have a spot of white at the end of their bodies. It is a color variation, and it also makes them unique.
Size
They are a species that belong to the dwarf shrimp community. All of the dwarf shrimps are tiny creatures. They grow fast, but the size does not increase from few centimeters.
The blue bolt shrimps are not different from their class. They grow from 1-2 centimeters, and in few shrimps, the size ranges to 3 centimeters.
There is no documented evidence that a blue shrimp has a length of more than one inch. Female blot shrimps are larger than the male ones. It helps in recognizing both sexualities.
Habitat
Blue bolt species are tiny creatures that like to live in freshwaters. The wild areas that comprise these kinds of shrimps have a lot of greenery. The trees and other plants surround the freshwater lakes and rivers.
The leaves and other bottom plants make a bed as a substrate in these water sources. The environment impacts the lifestyle and modification of the shrimps. They live peacefully in these areas.
Blue bolt shrimps are suitable for both planted and non-planted aquariums. They like to live on the soft substrates because it works as a food source as well.
The greenery and gravel of the freshwater aquariums provide comfort to the shrimps. They complete their lifespan inside the water tanks as they were living in the wild areas.
The acidity of water in natural water sources is one of the unique features. Make sure that the internal conditions of the fish tank are similar to the natural habitat.
They like to live in the slow-moving water and the shallow lakes.
Typical behavior
Blue bolt shrimps have an interesting behavior as compared to other shrimps and their species. They are fun-loving and friendly shrimps. It does not feel shy when it swims inside the aquarium.
The process of swimming increases in the daylight. You can see them inside the fish tank in the sunlight, and they keep on swimming and waving. Blue bolt shrimps also swim at night times, but it is rare in them.
They are inhabitants of a fresh and green surrounding, and the greenery impacts their nature. They remain calm and peaceful all the time in the fish tank.
The blue bolt shrimp is one of the excellent species for the community aquariums. They are non-aggressive naturally, and they never attack the other shrimps.
The harmless nature of these shrimps makes them pacifying for other mates. They do not have a territorial nature, and on the same side, they are friendly.
The blue shrimps like socializing with the other mates, but it does not affect the breeding process. All of them love to live in groups of ten to twenty shrimps.
In this way, they increase their defensive capacity against predators and other dangers. They find themselves in comfort when they stay in the form of groups.
It increases their confidence, and they swim freely inside the tank. There is no differentiation between the male and female shrimps.
They are small in their size, but it does not affect their movements. They move quickly inside the tank water by using their end organs.
A blue bolt shrimp covers a great distance instantly without any hesitation, and they keep the water alive all the time. The constant movements increase the presence of oxygen in the fish tank.
Diet of Blue Bolt Shrimps
They are omnivores naturally, and like other dwarf shrimps, blue bolt shrimps are scavengers. They depend on all types of vegetables and fruits.
These are non-selective, and they depend on all kinds of foods. They eat whatever they find inside the water sources. In the aquariums, they try to find food for themselves. They get enough food supply in the fish tank by gazing at the plants and rocks.
The owners provide maximum food for the shrimps in the established aquariums. They never find a problem of living due to enough serving of food.
The blue bolt shrimps depend on all types of algae and biofilms of the fish tank. Feeding is essential for them as it increases the breeding process in them.
They thrive due to the presence of multiple food items. As the owner, you can supply them all the selective shrimp food. The food items are in the form of supplements, and they increase the health of the shrimps.
The casual food items for the blue bolt shrimps are,
- Bacteria
- Algae
- Vegetables
- Fruits
- Spinach
- Almond leaves
- Zucchini
- Lettuce
Always add variety to their diet because it helps boost their immune system. The leaves and other such food items are beneficial for their health and lifespan.
You can buy them from fish stores and provide supplementary food every once a week. Do not overfeed them, or it leads to severe health issues.
Feeding mechanism
Overfeeding is never an excellent choice for the blue bolt shrimps. As a shrimp owner, you can provide food just once a day. In a mature and furnish fish tank, you can offer food even after three to four days.
The shrimps can get their meal from the aquariums, and it is not necessary to provide them daily. The procedure of feeding is inexpensive for these shrimp.
Make it convenient for your tiny pets. Do not offer them food in the form of mega particles. Always grind the food chunks into chunks, and then serve them inside the aquarium.
Never increase the particle size from 100 microns, and it is one of the easiest ways to provide a full diet to the shrimps.
Always remove the unnecessary food from the fish tank. The leftover food causes pollution of water, and it is not excellent for the shrimp’s health. You can provide food in the feed dishes, and it is a convenient way to protect the tank from pollution.
Tank Requirements
Keeping a blue bolt shrimp inside an aquarium is a bit different process as compared to other species. They are not moody or aggressive, but they never comprise on the tank conditions.
Multiple parameters are essential when you are keeping a blue bolt. The parameters are tank size, water conditions, decorations, substrate, plants, filters, oxygenation, and lights.
Tank size
They are tiny creatures and do not require much space to swim and settle. You can keep them in the tanks of four to five gallons. As a pet owner, it is impossible to create a balance in the small fish tanks.
They are suitable for these creatures and in the circumstances when you want to keep them permanently and make a complete house for them. You can choose a tank of more than five gallons. The range can exceed up to 10-15 gallons of water.
Substrate
The blue bolt shrimps love an active substrate that has buffers. The aqua soil is one of the best options for the shrimps, and the live substrate is excellent. The substrate provides the acidic nature of water.
Filters
They are least tolerant to rough water conditions inside the aquariums. Always choose the sponge filters for the blue bolt shrimps. The matt filters are also excellent for the shrimp’s health.
The sponge filters are efficient in their functions, and they are cost-effective. The baby shrimps gaze between the rocks and other plants. Always provide
Plants
The driftwoods and aquarium stem plants are extremely good for the well-being of the shrimps. The plants allow a surface for gazing and moving around. The shrimps produce various kinds of algae, and it helps in their proper feed.
Decoration
You can add various rocks and other such decoration materials. They make the fish tank beautiful, and shrimp feel healthier in water.
Minerals
They require an excellent quality of water inside the fish tank. Never use tap water for your sensitive pets. Always use reverse osmosis water because it contains a lot of minerals.
It is an economical procedure which leads to wondering about the quality of water. You can re-mineralize the tank’s water by adding the salty shrimps in a matured tank.
Water requirements
The blue bolt shrimp can tolerate a range of temperature modifications. The shrimps are excellent for warm water and cold water.
There are some ranges of optimal temperature and other parameters.
| Parameter | Ranges |
| Temperature | 21-22 degree centigrade |
| pH | 6.1- 6.9 |
| Nitrates | Nil |
| Ammonia | Nil |
| Hardness | No to 2.1 |
| Filter | Sponge filter |
| Total dissolving solids | Nil |
| Substrate | The soil of aqua and Fluval plant |
| Decorations | Driftwoods, coconut decorations |
| Minerals | Good, salty |
| Pump | Tetra whisper |
Cycling
Cycling of fish tank’s water is essential. Never add the blue bolt shrimps in dirty water. These shrimps are delicate and sensitive. You should avoid the absence of excellent parameters; the condition is lethal for the shrimps.
Change the water regularly and observe the health of shrimps. They do not survive the sudden changes in the tank’s water.
Blue Bolt Shrimp Breeding
Multiple factors help in the proceeding of crossing both male and female shrimps. The features are:
- The female blue bottles are large than the male shrimps, and the carrying capacity increases in the female shrimps due to large abdomens.
- The wider abdominal area allows them to function all day. The female blue bolt shrimps help in the protection of eggs.
- The color of the blue volt shrimps hides multiple things. Few of the female bolt shrimps have an organ that is known as the saddle. The female shrimps hide the eggs inside the saddle. It is a protection process before hatching.
- The predators cannot affect the saddle due to its hiding capacity.
- Always add an equal number of males and females to the fish tank.
The blue bolt shrimps start breeding due to excellent water parameters. They are mature enough when they reach the age of three to five months.
The female shrimps are sexually attentive as compared to males. They release a ceratin chemical in water, and it attracts the male shrimps towards them. The release of chemicals is an indication that the shrimp is ready for spawning. The male shrimps swim furiously inside the fish tank.
Number of eggs
Eggs depend on the size of the blue bolt shrimps. The female shrimps carry their eggs under their end organs, and the female shrimps contain the eggs inside their bodies for proper incubation.
The breeding session depends on the temperature fluctuations as well. The egg carrying time is from three to four weeks in the female blue bolt.
The female shrimps lay up to 20-40 eggs when the eggs start hatching, and the newborn babies are tiny. They are the same as their adult parents. The newborns are independent, and they eat their food by gazing around. In meanwhile, they get mature, and breeding starts again.
They never cross breed with other species, and they are selective naturally. It is safe to keep two different species in the same tank. They never hybridize with other Taiwan species; they have similar lines of genetics. All of them produce the newborns the same as their parents.
Tankmates
The best tank mates for the blue bolt shrimps are those that do not harm the shrimp’s life. The other fish should not prey on the shrimps inside the matured tank.
They never attack the other shrimps directly in any way. The only time when the shrimp escape from the tank is when they feel danger. The snails and shrimps are compatible with each other. Both of them help each other in every possible way. Never add carbs and crayfish in the fish tank.
Excellent tankmates are:
- Bee shrimp
- Crystal red shrimp
- Caridina cf. Babaulti
- Tangerine
- Tiger shrimp
- Japanese snails
- Nerite shrimps
- Bamboo shrimp
- Malaysian trumpet snails
- Black snails
- Ramshorn snails
Do they need oxygenation?
All of the dwarf shrimps require oxygenation of the water. They keep the water alive by swimming all the time inside the fish tank. Never add an artificial oxygenation device to the tank. The blue bolt shrimps do not like sudden changes.
Lifespan
They are short commitment species and remain healthy due to excellent parameters. Most of them survive for approximately 1-1.5 years.
They die due to attack from predators, and insufficient food also leads to death. Some of the blue bolt shrimps live up to two years, and they spend the best of their lifetime.
Cost
They are costly due to their radiant color and beautiful pattern. The blue bolt shrimps like socializing, and that’s why you can keep groups of shrimps together. The cost of the blue bolt shrimps ranges from $5- $10. They make the whole tank eye captivating.
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