Red Bee Smile Head (SSSS)

The Red Bee Smile Head shrimp belongs to the species Caridina logemanni and is a very special Bee shrimp breeding form in which the head pattern is reminiscent of a smiling face. The wild form of Caridina logemanni comes from China and occurs in small mountain streams that have very soft, cool and oxygen-rich water. Our shrimp are from the coveted original Smile Head bloodline, in which the smile face pattern is passed down from generation to generation. We regularly select the animals for the most opaque white pigmentation possible and clear head markings.

Bee Grades: (With and without Maro-Ten dots)
A-B (K4): 3-band and 4-band shrimp
S (K6): Tiger Tooth, V-Band
SS (T8): Hinomaru
SS (K10): Double Hinomaru, No Entry Sign, Little Lips
SSS (K12): Mosura SSS (K14): Mosura Flower Head, Mosura Crown
SSSS (K14): Smile Head

Caring for the Red Bee Smile Head in the aquarium

Caridina logemanni is one of the more demanding shrimp species, which depends primarily on soft water and water values ​​that are as stable as possible. Keeping this beautiful shrimp is possible in aquariums with a capacity of 10 liters or more, but since the water values ​​fluctuate significantly less with more volume, we recommend an aquarium that holds 20 liters or more. The Red Bee Smile Head needs clean, oxygen-rich, soft and lime-free water (GH 3-8, CH 0-3), which is why it is best kept on re-mineralized osmosis water. The Bee Shrimp Mineral GH+ is suitable as a mineral salt. We recommend active soil as substrate, such as Ebi Gold Shrimp Soil, which sets and maintains the correct water parameters. It is also important that the temperature of the water does not exceed 25°C for long periods of time, even in summer. In order for this sociable dwarf shrimp to feel safe, it should be kept in a group of at least 10 animals and in a well-planted aquarium. The plants, but also wood, stone structures or shrimp tubes offer it protection and places of retreat. Ideally, the Red Bee Smile Head is kept in a pure shrimp aquarium, possibly with snails. It is possible to socialize with small fish that do not chase it, but loss of shrimplets is to be expected.

Feeding

As a classic leftover recycler, the Red Bee Smile Head feeds on biofilm and algae growth as well as detritus (dead plant material, carrion, leftover food). In the aquarium it can be fed with special types of shrimp food, leaves, algae powder and occasionally frozen food. Ideally, there are always brown autumn leaves in the aquarium, which represent optimal permanent food for the animals.

Sexual characteristics and breeding

Sex determination is usually not possible in young animals, but only in sexually mature animals. Juveniles and males have a narrower underside of the abdomen, while sexually mature females have a wider underside that covers the swimming legs like a “skirt”. This widening of the abdomen serves to protect the eggs, which the female carries and cares between her swimming legs until they hatch. As with most dwarf shrimp, female Red Bee Smile Head adults are slightly larger than males. Caridina logemanni reproduces in fresh water and can be bred in an aquarium without any problems as long as the water parameters are right. After a gestation period of around 3 to 4 weeks, the female releases around 10-30 fully developed shrimplets, which initially feed on microorganisms present in the aquarium and can be fed with dust food.