Orange Eye Royal Blue Tiger Shrimp

Quick facts

Identity

Also known as

Royal Blue Tiger; OEBT; Orange Eye Blue Tiger; Tiger Shrimp

Synonyms

Caridina cantonensis var. 'Orange Eye Blue Tiger'; Caridina cf. cantonensis

Environment

Freshwater

Native to

Southern China, Hong Kong

Habitat

Slow to moderate flowing forest streams and rivers with rocky substrate, leaf litter and biofilm-covered surfaces

Sourcing

Captive-bred

Conservation

Not Evaluated

Care

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

0.8 – 1.3 in (2 – 3.2 cm)

Lifespan

1 – 2 yrs

Min tank

10 gal (38 L)

Growth rate

Moderate

Placement

Bottom

Water

Temperature

68 – 75 °F (20 – 24 °C)

pH

6.5 – 7.4

GH

4 – 8 dGH

TDS

120 – 200 ppm

dKH

0 – 4 dKH

Flow

Low-Moderate

Behavior & compatibility

Social

Group · groups of 10+

Aggression to own kind

Low

Active

Daytime

Invert safe

Yes

Plant safe

Yes

Shrimp safe

Yes

Clean-up role

Algae, Biofilm, Detritus, Leftover food

Population boom risk

Moderate

Feeding & breeding

Diet

Omnivore

Foods

Micro-pellets, Pellets, Algae, Biofilm, Vegetables, Frozen, Freeze-dried

Breeding type

Direct development

Breeding difficulty

Moderate

Sexing

Females are larger and rounder-bodied with a more pronounced saddle and underbelly curve; males are smaller and slimmer

Target feeding

Beneficial

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Care guide

Overview

Orange Eye Royal Blue Tiger describes a selectively bred line of Caridina mariae with an opaque, near-black-blue body and dark banding set off by orange eyes lacking normal pigment. Colony members graze biofilm and diatoms constantly and molt regularly, but stall or die off if TDS, pH, or hardness swing, so mature, copper-free water and separation from other tiger or bee lines are essential.

Care

This is a selectively bred color form of the wild tiger shrimp, prized for a solid blue body, dark striping, and bright orange eyes caused by a lack of eye pigment. It sits between hardy Neocaridina and demanding Taiwan bee shrimp in difficulty, tolerating a moderate pH and hardness range but still needing stable, mature water rather than fluctuating conditions. A sponge-filtered, well-planted nano tank with plenty of biofilm-covered surfaces and moss suits it well, and sudden parameter swings are the most common cause of losses. Copper-based medications and trace metals in tap water should be avoided since shrimp are highly sensitive to them.

Feeding

Most of its diet comes from grazing biofilm, algae, and detritus that accumulate naturally on decor, glass, and plant surfaces in a mature tank. Supplement a few times a week with sinking shrimp pellets, blanched vegetables, or algae wafers, offering only what can be cleared within a couple of hours to avoid fouling the water. Variety in food sources helps support consistent molting and color development over time.

Tank mates

Best kept in a species-only tank or alongside small peaceful fish that will not hunt shrimplets, since babies are vulnerable to predation. Avoid combining with other Caridina tiger or bee varieties, as they interbreed freely and dilute the blue coloration over generations. Compatible with snails and other cleanup crew invertebrates that do not compete aggressively for food.

Breeding

Breeding follows the typical dwarf shrimp pattern, with females carrying 20-30 eggs under the abdomen for roughly a month before releasing fully formed juveniles. The line does not breed true, so broods contain a mix of dark blue, pale, and patterned offspring, and maintaining strong color requires regular culling of lighter individuals from the breeding stock. Stable, soft-to-moderate water and steady GH support successful molting through the berried period and reduce egg loss.

Health

Sudden shifts in TDS, pH, or temperature are the most common trigger for stress, failed molts, or die-offs in an established colony. Ammonia and nitrite spikes are fatal quickly, so the tank should be fully cycled and mature before shrimp are added. Watch for signs of bacterial or fungal infection following incomplete molts, which are usually linked to unstable mineral content in the water.

Sources

1. Orange Eye Blue Tiger (OEBT) Shrimp Care Guide: Parameters & Breeding | ShrimpKeeper | ShrimpKeepers
2. Tiger Shrimp Care Guide: OEBT, Super Tiger, Fancy Tiger & More | ShrimpKeepers
3. Blue Tiger Shrimp Care (Orange Eye Blue Tiger): Parameters, Genetics, Breeding | ShrimpTank101
4. Orange Eye Blue Tiger Shrimp | Shrimp Science

Varieties in the catalog

Orange Eye Blue Tiger

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