Snow Bee shrimp

The white color morph (Snow Bee) of the Bee shrimp came into existence through a whim of nature ... it almost entirely lacks red or black color pigment cells. Through constant selective breeding the white pigmentation grows and covers the shrimp almost entirely. It is highly popular with breeders, as it has a great genetic potential. There are several qualities: the denser the white pigment cells, the higher the quality.

This color morph of the Bee shrimp from South China can grow to a maximal body length of 3 cm and reach an age of around 2 years. The males stay slightly smaller than the females and do not get as plump.

Its basic body color is transparent, sometimes with a tinge of golden yellow. The pigmentation of the head and the body is mostly white. There are no red or black-brown parts. The tail fan of this Bee shrimp variant is usually white to transparent, sometimes it may be of a golden transparent yellow.

The Snow Bee, like most freshwater shrimp, is an omnivore and will eat just about any food. The species is very peaceful, other aquarium inhabitants have nothing to fear from them. You can easily keep them together with fish that do not predate on shrimp.

Snow Bee shrimp do not have any special requirements regarding the aquarium decoration ... here you can use your imagination freely. The shrimp are happy with a little moss and driftwood ... and if there are some hiding-places like tubes or brown autumn leaves (oak or beech) in the tank, your shrimp will have everything they need.

When Snow Bee shrimp have adapted to their environment and when they are happy, the females will relase up to 30 fully developed shrimplets every 5 to 6 weeks. They have the red and white pattern from the first few days on. In well-planted tanks with lots of places to hide, some of the young shrimp will even grow up in the presence of fish.
Our practical experience is that this number of surviving shrimp offspring is only realistic under the most optimal conditions. Usually, the shrimp will get berried every two to three months or so, and not all offspring will reach adulthood. Overpopulated Bee shrimp tanks are thus not really a problem.


Our tip for keeping Snow Bees!
Snow Bee shrimp feel the happiest when the pH is between 6 and 7, a total hardness of 5 - 6° dGH (German hardness) and a carbonate hardness of 0 - 1° dKH (German hardness). The temperature should be between 20 and 23° C ... varied food (predominantly of vegetable origin, and frozen food fed sparingly) contributes to heathly, vital, happy shrimp.