Black Pinto Shrimp

Common Name: Black Pinto Shrimp
Scientific Name: Caridina Cantonensis "Pinto"
Genus: Caridina
Wild Origin: Japan
Adult Size: 1 in

**Note: All livestock orders will come carefully packaged with solid wall Styrofoam insulation and shipped via 1-day shipping only. No additional insulation is needed for your livestock.

The Black Pinto is a freshwater shrimp known in the hobby as a "Taitibee," which is a “mischling” or crossbreed. Their lineage begins by crossing a Tiger Shrimp with a Taiwan Bee to produce a "Tibee." Breeders then cross that Tibee back to a Taiwan Bee to stabilize the Pinto pattern. This specific breeding results in three distinct visual patterns: Zebra (vertical stripes), Spotted Head (white dots on the cephalothorax), and Fancy (which includes the Cloud or Skunk patterns). Thus, they are a striking addition to any shrimp tank due to their bold color and unique markings.

Because they are the product of intensive selective breeding, Black Pinto Shrimp are more sensitive to water fluctuations than standard freshwater shrimp. While they can be kept in smaller setups, it is best practice to use a shrimp aquarium of at least 25 gallons. A larger volume of water is easier to keep chemically stable, which is vital for their survival. They serve as an excellent "indicator species" for the overall health of your ecosystem.

Check out our guide on the different substrates that can help achieve ideal water parameters for these shrimp: Best Substrate for Shrimp

Key Features & Important Notes

• Tank-raised specimen
• Bright, bold color and pattern
• Shrimp are excellent scavengers and will happily feed on biofilm, decaying plant matter, and algae
• To increase survival rates, please allow 2-3 business days after placing an order to properly prepare live animal shipments

Recommended Water Parameters
Listed information should be treated as general guidelines only. We encourage you to do thorough research before committing to keeping any livestock.

• Temperature Range: 68-76°F
• pH: 6.0-6.5
• TDS: 100-150 ppm
• GH: 3-5
• dGH KH: 0-2 dKH

Recommended Tank Size
5+ gallons. Tank size is relative, and various factors should be considered when determining the optimal tank size. Factors include maintenance schedules, tank mates, desired colony size, and more. A larger volume of water is easier to keep chemically stable, which is vital for their survival.

Diet
Algae, biofilm, diatoms, decaying plant matter, spirulina powder, bee pollen, plant-based shrimp pellets/wafers, blanched vegetables

Breeding
Pinto Shrimp are eager breeders given stable water parameters and a consistent food source. Sexing these shrimp can be difficult until they begin to mature; females are larger and possess a wider tail to carry eggs. While they do develop a "saddle" behind the head, the thick black pigmentation of the Pinto makes it nearly impossible to identify until the female becomes "berried." To ensure a successful colony, we recommend starting with 8–10 shrimp to guarantee a healthy mix of male and female pairs.

The breeding cycle begins when a fertile female molts and releases pheromones, triggering a "breeding frenzy" as males search for her. Once the eggs are fertilized, the female will carry them for a gestation period of approximately 2–4 weeks. The fry are self-sufficient from birth, feeding on the same biofilm and food sources as their parents. Because fry molt frequently during their rapid growth stages, it is vital to leave all molted shells in the tank; the colony will consume them to recycle essential minerals like calcium.

Success with Pinto breeding often depends on their specific genetic history and tank environment. If kept with fish or aggressive species, the shrimp may not breed if they feel threatened. Providing dense hiding places like mosses or Cholla wood is essential for fry survival. Because Pintos are the result of complex crossbreeding, their offspring's characteristics will depend on the specific line they come from, so you’ll want to get some information from the source of your Pinto Shrimp on their particular genetic history.

Check out our blog article to learn how to breed freshwater shrimp.