Identity and origin
- Origin
- Lake Matano, Petea River and Lake Towuti, Malili system, Sulawesi, Indonesia
- Identity
- Ancient-lake endemic species
A small red shrimp with pale transverse bands, scattered white dots and pale tail tips. Its documented distribution includes Matano and Petea, not just Towuti; stress can temporarily turn red specimens blue.
Habitat and care
Small rocks and gravel in shallow water, usually above 5 m. Habitat and identity reference
Use a mature, species-dedicated system with stable water chemistry, strong oxygenation and suitable grazing surfaces. Follow documented breeder parameters for the exact species and colony; do not transfer a soft-water bee-shrimp recipe to an ancient-lake species.
Plan before choosing
- Habitat
- Lakes and connecting waters
- Size and measurement
- A source-checked adult total length has not yet been added to this profile. Confirm it before choosing aquarium dimensions.
- Planning context
- The cited source supports this broad habitat classification. A verified husbandry protocol is not yet available here; do not treat natural habitat observations as an aquarium recipe.
von Rintelen & Cai (2009), species distribution and ecology
Source check: . Independent husbandry review pending.
Before choosing this species
Care-planning notes. Confirm exact requirements for the species and source population.
- Confirm the adult size and social behaviour of the exact species before planning its aquarium.
- Establish biological filtration and stable water conditions before introducing animals.
- Ask for locality, captive history and the actual animal’s feeding record; a catalogue image cannot provide these.
Varieties and trade names
Red-banded form / Mini Blue Bee
Trade and colour terminologyMini Blue Bee is reported in trade. The revision documents red animals turning blue under stress, so blue colour alone does not establish a distinct breeding line. Source
Evidence record
Conservation record: Critically Endangered (CR); assessment year 2018. Conservation source record. Direct assessment record; check its assessment and publication dates. Check for a newer assessment before making conservation or sourcing decisions.
Catalogue inclusion confirms a research record, not current stock, legal export, or destination-country import permission.
- von Rintelen & Cai (2009).
- von Rintelen, K. & Cai, Y. (2009). Systematic revision of Caridina from the ancient lakes of Sulawesi. Raffles Bulletin of Zoology 57(2): 343–452.
- Klotz, W., von Rintelen, T., Wowor, D., Lukhaup, C. & von Rintelen, K. (2021). Lake Poso’s shrimp fauna revisited. ZooKeys 1009: 81–122.
- Sun, J. (2025). Sulawesi shrimp hobby in China. Sulawesi Keepers. First-hand aquarium names and breeding observations, not a taxonomic revision.
- Rejlková, M. & Sun, J. (2025). Crossbreeding Sulawesi shrimps. Sulawesi Keepers. Keeper-reported crosses; not controlled genetic verification.
