Crystal Black Shrimp (CBS) are the black-and-white expression of the Bee shrimp Caridina line -- the classic banded pattern of the genus carried in deep black and clean white rather than the red-and-white of Crystal Red Shrimp. The grading system is identical to Crystal Red: lower grades carry more black coverage and less defined white banding; higher grades (SS, SSS) carry more white coverage, bolder and more precisely defined banding, and deeper, more opaque black in the coloured sections. CBS and CRS are genetically compatible and are sometimes kept together to produce diverse offspring, though mixed-colour populations revert toward wild-type banding distribution over time. Care requirements are intermediate in the Caridina category -- soft, acidic, low-KH water is essential, but within the Bee shrimp group CBS are among the most established and reliably bred lines available. Safe with all snails.
5.8-6.8pH
4-6GH
0-3KH
68-74FTemperature
What to Expect
Pattern, Grading and Behaviour
Deep black and clean white banding -- the CBS pattern at its best -- in well-bred, high-grade CBS the black sections are deep and opaque rather than brownish or translucent, and the white banding is bright and clearly defined with sharp edges rather than diffuse borders. The contrast between the two colour elements is what makes CBS read as visually striking -- the higher the grade, the more complete, more precisely defined, and more high-contrast the pattern.
Grade reflects white coverage, band definition, and colour opacity -- lower grades (S) carry more black coverage with narrow, less defined white bands. Higher grades (SS, SSS) carry more white coverage with bold, clearly edged white bands and deeper, more opaque black in the coloured sections. Grade quality is visible at a glance on healthy adults in good conditions -- the difference between grades is immediately apparent when seen side by side.
Colour is parameter-responsive -- optimal conditions produce the most vivid pattern -- pattern contrast is most vivid at the optimal end of the parameter range: pH 6.0-6.5, GH 4-5, KH 0-1, temperature 70-72F. Parameters within the survivable range but toward the edges produce less vivid colour -- less opaque black and less bright white than specimens in genuinely optimal conditions.
Intermediate Caridina difficulty -- established and well-understood line -- CBS have been kept and bred in the hobby for many years and are among the most thoroughly documented Caridina lines available. Their requirements are well-established, their behaviour in well-maintained tanks is predictable, and the resources available to support their care are extensive. Keepers with some experience of soft, acidic water management have a strong foundation for CBS success.
Breeds in freshwater with direct shrimplet release -- females carry clutches for 4-6 weeks and release fully formed miniature CBS directly into the tank. Shrimplet survival requires dense moss, established biofilm surfaces, and parameter stability throughout the brooding period.
How to Set It Up
Getting Started
1Establish soft, acidic parameters for two weeks before introduction -- target pH 6.0-6.5, GH 4-6, KH 0-2, temperature 70-73F using RO water remineralised with a Caridina-specific mineral. Active aquasoil helps maintain low pH stability. Test daily to confirm parameter stability before introduction.
2Drip acclimate over 60-90 minutes -- float for 15 minutes to temperature-equalise, then drip tank water at one drop per second for 60-90 minutes. The slow transition minimises osmotic stress at introduction.
3Establish dense moss and biofilm surfaces before shrimp arrive -- Java Moss, Christmas Moss, or Taiwan Moss provides the biofilm foraging surfaces and physical shrimplet shelter that dramatically improve first-generation breeding success.
4Feed sparingly and remove uneaten food within 2-3 hours -- feed small amounts of high-quality Caridina food every 1-2 days. Overfeeding in the low-buffering, low-KH environment of a CBS tank degrades water quality faster than in harder, more buffered setups.
Bonus TipCrystal Black and Crystal Red shrimp kept in the same tank produce a naturally mixed colony of both patterns plus intermediate offspring -- a visually diverse display that captures the full colour range of the Bee shrimp line in a single setup. The two lines are genetically compatible, share identical care requirements, and coexist without any inter-colour conflict. The mixed colony approach prioritises display diversity over grade purity and is among the most visually dynamic Caridina setups achievable at intermediate difficulty.
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Browse more Caridina shrimpPair Crystal Black with Crystal Red, Bee shrimp, or Caridina Tiger shrimp for a complete Caridina setup. Browse our Caridina Shrimp collection.
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