About Blue Fancy Tiger Shrimp
Blue Fancy Tiger shrimp combine the best of two worlds - the distinctive tiger stripe pattern with Taiwan Bee blue coloring. These hybrids emerged from crossing Tiger shrimp (Caridina mariae) with blue Taiwan Bee varieties like Blue Bolt, resulting in shrimp that display blue-tinted tiger stripes on lighter backgrounds. The blue coloring in Fancy Tigers can range from subtle steel blue to striking deep navy, depending on genetics and breeding. Some lines also incorporate Orange Eye Blue Tiger (OEBT) genetics, adding the distinctive orange eyes that make these hybrids even more visually striking. The combination of tiger pattern, blue coloring, and potentially orange eyes creates truly unique-looking shrimp. Like their Red Fancy Tiger cousins, Blue Fancy Tigers often show hybrid vigor, making them somewhat hardier than pure Taiwan Bee varieties while still requiring proper Caridina care. They've become popular among keepers who want the Taiwan Bee aesthetic with the interesting patterns of Tiger shrimp, all in a package that's a bit more forgiving of minor husbandry imperfections.
Quick Facts
Water Parameters for Blue Fancy Tiger Shrimp
Maintaining stable water parameters is crucial for the health and coloration of Blue Fancy Tiger Shrimp.
| Parameter | Range | Optimal |
|---|---|---|
| TDS | 100-150 ppm | 120-150 ppm |
| GH | 4-6 dGH | 4-5 dGH |
| KH | 0-2 dKH | 0-1 dKH |
| pH | 5.8-6.8 | 6-6.4 |
| Temperature | 68-75°F (20-24°C) | 70-73°F |
Tank Setup for Blue Fancy Tiger Shrimp
- Active buffering substrate is required
- Heavy planting with mosses and slow-growing plants
- Sponge filtration protects shrimplets
- Dark substrates highlight blue coloring
- Include botanicals for biofilm development
Care Tips for Blue Fancy Tiger Shrimp
- RO water remineralized with Caridina GH+ is required
- Active buffering substrate maintains proper pH conditions
- Keep TDS between 100-150 ppm with stable parameters
- May show hybrid vigor over pure Taiwan Bee varieties
- Weekly water changes (10%) with matched parameters
- Avoid copper and contaminants
- Mature tanks with established biofilm are important
Feeding Blue Fancy Tiger Shrimp
- Feed quality Caridina-specific foods
- Some believe certain foods enhance blue coloring
- Biofilm should form the dietary foundation
- Feed sparingly to maintain water quality
- Mineral supplements support healthy molting
Breeding Blue Fancy Tiger Shrimp
- Blue intensity varies in offspring - select bluest for breeding
- Some offspring may show orange eyes from OEBT genetics
- F1 hybrids often have good vigor and survival
- Later generations show more pattern and color variation
- Keep separate from other varieties for pure breeding lines
Blue Fancy Tiger Shrimp Grading System
Blue Fancy Tiger Shrimp are commonly graded based on color intensity, coverage, and pattern quality. Higher grades typically command higher prices and are the result of selective breeding.
Standard Blue Fancy Tiger
Good tiger striping pattern with visible blue coloring. Stripes may vary in intensity.
Characteristics
- Visible tiger stripes
- Blue coloring present
- Pattern may vary
- Good hybrid appearance
High Grade Blue Fancy Tiger
Well-defined blue stripes with excellent pattern clarity and strong color intensity.
Characteristics
- Well-defined stripes
- Strong blue color
- Clear pattern separation
- Excellent contrast
Premium Blue Fancy Tiger
Exceptional specimens with perfect striping, intense blue color, and show-quality appearance.
Characteristics
- Perfect striping
- Maximum blue intensity
- Show quality
- Breeding premium
Grades listed from lowest to highest quality
Common Problems with Blue Fancy Tiger Shrimp
- Blue intensity varies between individuals and generations
- Offspring may not be as blue as parents
- Hybrid genetics create breeding unpredictability
- Still requires careful Caridina parameters
- Quality varies between sources - choose reputable breeders
Troubleshooting Blue Fancy Tiger Shrimp
Tiger shrimp require stable conditions and are sensitive to parameter changes. Here are common problems to watch for:
Failed Molt: Shrimp Stuck in Shell
Understanding failed molts where shrimp cannot escape their old exoskeleton. Learn why it happens, why affected shrimp cannot be saved, and how to prevent future molt failures.
Why Are My Shrimp Dying?
Comprehensive triage guide for unexplained shrimp deaths. Learn to identify the cause and take immediate action to save your remaining colony.
White Ring of Death in Shrimp
Understanding the dreaded white ring or white line that appears around a shrimp's body, signaling a fatal molting problem that cannot be reversed once visible.
Baby Shrimp (Shrimplets) Dying
Why newborn shrimp disappear or die when adult shrimp seem healthy. Covers filter intake, predation, starvation, and sensitivity issues specific to shrimplets.
Bacterial Infection in Shrimp
Identifying and treating bacterial infections in aquarium shrimp. Learn to recognize symptoms and understand why prevention through water quality is more effective than treatment.
Planaria in Shrimp Tank
Identifying and eliminating planaria flatworms that prey on shrimp, especially shrimplets. Learn safe treatment methods that won't harm your colony.
Blue Fancy Tiger Shrimp FAQ
Blue Fancy Tigers have distinctive tiger stripe patterns from their Tiger shrimp heritage, while Blue Bolts show solid blue coloring without stripes. Fancy Tigers are hybrids between Tiger and Taiwan Bee species, creating the patterned blue appearance.
Some Blue Fancy Tiger lines incorporate Orange Eye Blue Tiger (OEBT) genetics and may show orange eyes. This depends on their specific breeding background. Not all Blue Fancy Tigers have orange eyes - it varies by line and source.
Many keepers find Fancy Tigers show some hybrid vigor, making them slightly more forgiving than sensitive pure Taiwan Bee varieties. However, they still require proper Caridina care with soft, acidic water (TDS 100-150, pH 5.8-6.8).
Blue intensity varies due to genetics, and offspring may be lighter than parents. Select the bluest individuals for breeding to improve color over generations. Water parameters, diet, and stress levels also affect color expression.
Yes, they can breed with other Caridina including Taiwan Bees, Tigers, and Crystal shrimp. Offspring will show mixed characteristics. Most breeders maintain separate tanks to control breeding outcomes.
Standard Caridina parameters: TDS 100-150 ppm, GH 4-6, KH 0-2, pH 5.8-6.8, temperature 20-24C (68-75F). RO water remineralized with GH+ and active buffering substrate are required.
Always select your bluest specimens for breeding stock. Consider adding Blue Bolt genetics to enhance blue expression. Cull lighter individuals from breeding programs. Good conditions and low stress help color expression.
Track Your Blue Fancy Tiger Shrimp Parameters
Stop guessing. Start tracking. ShrimpKeeper gives you species-specific parameter ranges, instant diagnostics, and historical graphs for your Blue Fancy Tiger Shrimp colony.