How to Breed Bee Shrimp

The attractive little bee shrimp is found in southern Asia. This interesting fresh water shrimp was first selectively bred in Japan, but has subsequently become very popular in the United States. Aquarists breed bee shrimps in various color patterns, including a white version. Although these dwarf shrimps are sensitive to water quality, the conscientious aquarist can encourage them to breed with the correct attention to diet and overall aquarium conditions.

Things You'll Need

  • Adult male and female bee shrimp
  • 10-gallon fresh water aquarium
  • Aquarium gravel
  • Sponge filter
  • 1.5-foot air line tubing, 0.75-inch diameter
  • Vibrator pump
  • 1 fluid ounce bottle of chlorine remover
  • Aquarium heater
  • Dip-and-read pH test kit
  • Aquarium agent to lower the pH
  • Four to five aquatic plants
  • Hand full of Java moss
  • Sinking herbivore wafer
  • Blanched spinach
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Instructions

    • 1

      Obtain an adult pair of bee shrimp. Determine the sex of your shrimp by observing the tail sections of both animals. The tail section in male bee shrimp is shorter than in females. Adult male shrimps are also smaller than females.

    • 2

      Place a 1-inch layer of fine aquarium gravel on the bottom of the aquarium.

    • 3

      Fill the aquarium with tap water and add 1 teaspoon of chlorine remover.

    • 4

      Push one end of a 0.75-inch diameter piece of air tubing over the plastic stem of a sponge filter and place the filter into the aquarium. Attach the opposite end of the airline tube to the exhaust nipple of a vibrator pump. Turn the pump on.

    • 5

      Set the thermostat on your aquarium heater to 65 degrees Fahrenheit and slide the heater into its plastic holder. Use the adhesive suction cups on the holder to secure the heater to the aquarium glass. Turn on the heater.

    • 6

      Use a dip-and-read pH test kit to determine the pH of your water.

    • 7

      Use a pH booster agent to lower the pH to 6.4. Dwarf shrimp are sensitive to water quality and prefer soft and acidic water conditions.

    • 8

      Place four or five aquatic plants into the aquarium. Add a handful of Java moss as well.

    • 9

      Secure the plastic bag in which the shrimp arrived to the rim of the aquarium. Add 6 tablespoons of aquarium water to the bag every quarter of an hour, to acclimatize the shrimp to their new water. Release the shrimp into the aquarium after one hour.

    • 10

      Feed the shrimp on sinking herbivore wafers. Add a small amount daily and remove what the shrimp do not eat at the end of the day. Feed a small piece of blanched spinach every third day. Remove the uneaten spinach at the end of each day. Bee shrimp will also scavenge in the aquarium and should not be overfed.

    • 11

      Look out for the male and female embracing, abdomen to abdomen. This happens very quickly and may be missed.

    • 12

      Wait approximately 30 days for the eggs to hatch. Bee shrimp do not have a larvae stage and their hatchlings look like miniature adults. These young shrimp will immediately attach themselves to the closest aquatic plants and begin scavenging on algae and detritus in the aquarium.