Chocolate shrimp are a beautiful addition to an aquarium. They are small, peaceful, and cute, which makes them ideal beginner shrimp. Chocolate shrimp are very easy to care for and do not require much in the way of special care. This care guide will help you to understand how to best care for your chocolate shrimp.
Chocolate Shrimp Key Care Stats
| Scientific name: | Caridina cf. cantonensis |
| Other name: | Taiwan Bee shrimp, Crystal shrimp |
| Origin: | Taiwan |
| Adult size: | 1.5–2.0 inches (4–5 cm) |
| Life span: | 2–3 years |
| Temperament: | Peaceful |
| Best kept: | In a group of 5 or more |
| Minimum tank size: | 5–10 gallons |
| Tank set-up: | Freshwater |
| Water pH: | 6.6–7.6 |
| Water temperature: | 68–79 °F (20–26 °C) |
| Recommended diet: | Omnivore |
Species Summary
The Chocolate shrimp (Caridina cf. cantonensis) is a species of freshwater shrimp that is native to southern China. These shrimp are also known by a variety of other common names, including the Chinese River shrimp, the Taiwan Bee shrimp, the White Banded Shrimp, the Black Bee shrimp, the Chocolate Cherry Shrimp, and the Hong Kong shrimp. Chocolate shrimp are one of the most popular species of freshwater shrimp for aquariums.
Where Do They Come From?
As the name implies, Chocolate shrimp are native to southern China. In the wild, these shrimp can be found in a variety of habitats, including streams, rivers, ponds, and lakes. Chocolate shrimp have also been introduced to a number of other countries, including Taiwan, Hong Kong, and the United States.
How Long do Chocolate Shrimp Live for?
The average lifespan of a Chocolate shrimp is 1–3 years. However, with proper care and ideal conditions, these animals can live for up to 5 years.
How Big Do Chocolate Shrimp Grow?
Chocolate shrimp grow to an average length of 1.5–2.0 inches (4–5 cm). Also, females are typically larger than males because they carry eggs.
Chocolate Shrimp Anatomy, Appearance, & Varieties
As their name suggests, Chocolate shrimp are a dark brown or chocolate color. These shrimp can grow to be between 1 and 2 inches in length. Chocolate shrimp have transparent bodies with black spots. The spots on their bodies are used to help them camouflage themselves from predators.
There are a few different varieties of Chocolate shrimp. The most common variety is the Taiwan Bee shrimp. The Bee shrimp is the variety that is most often sold in pet stores. Other varieties of Chocolate shrimp include the Black Bee shrimp and the Hong Kong shrimp. Also, some other types of shrimp that are similar in appearance to Chocolate shrimp include the Blue shrimp, the Black Rose Shrimp, the Red Cherry shrimp, and the Yellow shrimp.
Male and Female Difference
Males and females of the Chocolate shrimp species can be distinguished by their coloration. Male Chocolate shrimp are typically brown or reddish-brown in color, while females are usually light tan or brown. Females also tend to have a more rounded body shape than males.
This species is also sexually dimorphic, meaning that males and females have different physical traits. For example, males typically have longer and thinner antennae than females. Also, males and females can be told apart by their different coloration. Males are typically brown or tan with dark stripes, while females are brown or tan with red stripes.
How Much Does Chocolate Cherry Shrimp Cost?
A single Chocolate Cherry Shrimp can cost anywhere between $5 and $20. The price will depend on the size, quality, and age of the shrimp. Larger and older shrimp will typically cost more. Also, shrimp that have been bred in captivity will usually cost more than those that have been caught in the wild.
Black Diamond Chocolate Shrimp Care & Tank Requirements
Black Diamond Chocolate Shrimp (Neocaridina denticulata sinensis) are beautiful, peaceful, and easy-to-care for freshwater shrimp. They are perfect for beginners to shrimp keeping and make a great addition to any community aquarium.
Chocolate shrimp are very versatile and can be kept in a wide range of aquarium setups. They are relatively undemanding when it comes to water parameters and will thrive in most types of freshwater aquariums.
The Best Aquarium Size for Chocolate Shrimps
The minimum size aquarium for keeping chocolate shrimps is 5 gallons. A larger aquarium is always better as it will provide more space for the shrimp to hide and forage and will also help to maintain water quality.
Chocolate shrimp are very active and love to swim around, so a taller aquarium is better than a wide one. A 10 gallon aquarium is a good size for a small group of shrimp. Also, remember that you will need to provide hiding places for your shrimp, so make sure you have plenty of live plants or other decorations in the tank.
Water Parameters
Chocolate shrimp are very tolerant of a wide range of water parameters. They can live in water with a pH of 6.0–8.0, hardness of 2–20 dGH, and a temperature of 72–78 °F (22–26 °C). Also, chocolate shrimp do not need a very large tank. A 5–10 gallon tank is sufficient for a small colony of these animals.
Filtration
Black Diamond Chocolate Shrimp are very sensitive to water conditions and need a well-filtered aquarium. A canister filter or sponge filter is ideal. Avoid using an undergravel filter, as it can trap and kill shrimp. Also, make sure that the filter intake is covered with a sponge or other material to prevent shrimp from being sucked into the filter.
Do Chocolate Shrimp Need an Air Pump?
An air pump is not necessary for keeping Black Diamond Chocolate Shrimp, but it will help to keep the water well oxygenated. A small air pump should be sufficient for a 10-gallon aquarium. This will help to keep your shrimp healthy and prevent them from getting sick.
Aquarium Lighting
Black Diamond Chocolate Shrimp are not very demanding when it comes to lighting. A low to moderate level of lighting will be fine for them. Also, they do not require any special lighting like full-spectrum lighting. So, they are perfect for people who do not want to spend a lot of money on lighting for their aquarium.
Plants and Decorations
Chocolate shrimp should be provided with plenty of hiding places and live plants to graze on. Java moss, Anubias, and Hornwort are all good plant choices for chocolate shrimp tanks. The plants will also help to keep the water quality high.
You can also use driftwood, rocks, and caves for hiding places and decorations. Be sure that any decorations you use are free of sharp edges that could injure the shrimp. The shrimp will also appreciate a layer of soft substrates such as sand or gravel to graze on.
What’s the Best Substrate for Chocolate Shrimps?
Black Diamond Chocolate Shrimp are not fussy when it comes to the substrate. They will do well in either sand or gravel. If you are keeping them with fish that like to dig, then sand may be the better option. Also, these shrimp will do best in an aquarium that has a dark substrate since they are darker-colored shrimp.
Food & Diet
Chocolate shrimp are omnivores by nature. In the wild, they feed on various types of algae, detritus, and small aquatic creatures. In captivity, you can feed them with a variety of foods, including live, frozen, or freeze-dried foods. You can also give them pellets or flakes designed for omnivores. It’s best to offer them a variety of foods to ensure they get all the nutrients they need.
What Can I Feed Chocolate Shrimp?
In captivity, chocolate shrimp can be fed various types of live, frozen, and freeze-dried foods. Some of the most common foods that are fed to these animals include:
- Bloodworms
- Brine shrimp
- Daphnia
- Mosquito larvae
- Tubifex worms
It is also a good idea to supplement their diet with some high-quality pellet or flake foods that are designed for shrimp. Be sure to choose a food that does not contain any copper, as this can be toxic to shrimp.
How Often Do Chocolate Shrimp Need to Be Fed?
In a home aquarium, these shrimp can be fed once or twice a day. It is best to give them small amounts of food at a time so that they can eat all of it and there is no risk of overfeeding.
How Long Can a Chocolate Shrimp Go Without Food?
They can go without food for up to a week. However, this is not recommended as it can negatively affect their health. The best way to ensure that they get the nutrients they need is to provide them with a varied diet.
Watch the Following Video on Black Diamond Chocolate Shrimp
Here is a quick video showing you a little bit more about the care for Black Diamond Chocolate Shrimp:
Behavior & Temperament
Chocolate shrimp are generally peaceful animals that do not bother other tank mates. They are not known to be aggressive. Some shrimp keepers have reported that their chocolate shrimp will eat smaller shrimp, but this is not a common behavior. Chocolate shrimp are more likely to be eaten by larger fish than they are to eat other shrimp.
Chocolate shrimp are active animals that spend most of their time grazing on algae and other food sources in the aquarium. They will also scavenge for food that has fallen to the bottom of the tank.
Good Tank Mates
Chocolate shrimp can be kept with the most peaceful fish and other shrimp. They do well in community tanks.
Some good tank mates for chocolate shrimp include:
- Neon Tetras
- Corydoras Catfish
- Guppies
- Mollies
- Platies
- Swordtails
- Harlequin Rasboras
- Kuhli Loaches
- Danios
- White Cloud Mountain Minnows
Unsafe Tank Mates
As with all shrimp, chocolate shrimp should not be kept with fish that are large enough to eat them. Chocolate shrimp are small animals, and their diet consists mostly of algae and other plant matter. Some fish that chocolate shrimp should not be kept with include:
- Bettas
- Goldfish
- Guppies
- Mollies
- Platies
- Swordtails
- Tetras
Chocolate Shrimp Breeding
Chocolate shrimp breeding is not difficult, but it does take some patience. These animals are not sexually dimorphic, which means that it is difficult to tell males from females just by looking at them. The best way to determine the sex of your shrimp is to look at their ventral (underneath) side. Females will have a slightly wider ventral side than males. Male shrimp also tend to be smaller than females.
If you want to breed your chocolate shrimp, it is best to start with a group of 6-10 animals. This will give you the best chance of getting a good mix of males and females. Once you have your breeding group, you will need to provide them with plenty of hiding places and plenty of food. These animals are not picky eaters and will accept most aquarium foods.
You should also make sure that the water parameters in your tank are within the ideal range for chocolate shrimp. These animals do not tolerate changes in water quality well, so it is important to keep the water in your tank clean and stable. Once your shrimp are acclimated to their new home, they will start to breed. The female shrimp will carry her eggs under her tail for about 2 weeks before they hatch.
After the eggs hatch, the fry (baby shrimp) will be free-swimming and will need to be fed very small foods. Baby brine shrimp or other similar foods are a good choice for fry. As the fry grows, you can start to feed them larger foods. Chocolate shrimp are not difficult to care for and will thrive in most home aquariums.
FAQs on How to Care for Black Diamond Chocolate Shrimp
How many Chocolate shrimp can I put in a 10-gallon tank?
5–10 shrimp should be comfortable in a 10-gallon tank. The shrimp will also do better in a larger tank with more hiding places and more plants.
Do Chocolate shrimps eat algae?
Yes, Chocolate shrimps are great at eating algae in the aquarium. They will also consume other organic matter and detritus in the tank.
Closing Thoughts
I hope that you have enjoyed reading this care guide and that you have learned everything you need to know about chocolate shrimp care. These animals make great additions to most home aquariums and are not difficult to care for. The best way to ensure the success of your shrimp is to provide them with a stable environment and plenty of food.
If you have any questions about chocolate shrimp care or if you would like to share your own experiences with these animals, please leave a comment below. Good luck!
References:
- Breeding and Life Cycle of Fresh Water Ornamnetal Shrimp-Indian White Banded Shrimp, Caridina cf. babaulti Var. Indian White Banded (by Sesh Serebiah)
https://www.academia.edu/58291547/Breeding_and_Life_Cycle_of_Fresh_Water_Ornamnetal_Shrimp_Indian_White_Banded_Shrimp_Caridina_cf_babaulti_Var_Indian_White_Banded?sm=b - Cherry Shrimp Neocaridina davidi (Bouvier 1904)(Crustacea: Decopoda: Atyidae) by Carrie Suen and Jennifer L. Gillett-Kaufman
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdf/IN/IN130100.pdf - Bee shrimp
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bee_shrimp
