Identity and origin
- Origin
- Lake Poso, Sulawesi, Indonesia
- Identity
- Described freshwater species; lake/catchment endemic
Described in 2021. Red-and-white mottling, dark red antennae and a black-and-white tail-fan blotch distinguish the live appearance from Glass Poso and Blue Leg Poso.
Habitat and care
Shoreline accumulations of small to medium stones; a hard-substrate specialist. 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.
FROM THE SIGNATURE COLLECTIONS
Look closely
Look for red-and-white body striping, a long slender rostrum, and contrasting dark-and-white markings on the tail fan.
A detail worth knowing
The 2021 Lake Poso revision recognises this as a separate species. “White Orchid” belongs here; C. ensifera and C. caerulea are different species, with different tail markings.
Source review: 22 September 2026. Educational notes, not a stock or breeding-success claim.
Plan before choosing
- Habitat
- Ancient lakes
- 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 study supports this broad habitat classification. A verified husbandry protocol is not yet available here; do not treat natural habitat observations as an aquarium recipe.
Klotz et al. (2021), Table 1 · lake occurrences
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
White Orchid
Common nameA distinct species described in 2021, not a variety of C. ensifera. Source
Evidence record
Conservation record: Not Evaluated (NE); assessment year —. Conservation source record. This retained reference is an index or secondary record; the direct assessment and date require verification. 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.
- Klotz et al. (2021), ZooKeys 1009: 81–122.
- von Rintelen, K. & Cai, Y. (2009). Systematic revision of Caridina from the ancient lakes of Sulawesi. Raffles Bulletin of Zoology 57(2): 343–452.
- 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.
