About Orange Eye Blue Tiger Shrimp
The Orange Eye Blue Tiger (OEBT) shrimp is one of the most controversial species in the hobby when it comes to care parameters. This stunning shrimp combines brilliant blue coloration with striking orange eyes - a genetic mutation that occurred in wild Tiger shrimp populations and has been stabilized through selective breeding. The result is one of the most visually distinctive freshwater shrimp available. What makes OEBT particularly interesting is the ongoing debate about their optimal water parameters. Unlike most Caridina species that strictly require soft, acidic water, many experienced keepers have found success with OEBT in a surprisingly wide range of conditions. Some hobbyists keep them in Neocaridina-like parameters (higher TDS, neutral pH), while others maintain them in traditional Caridina setups (lower TDS, acidic pH). This flexibility has led to OEBT being described as a 'bridge species' between the hardy Neocaridina and demanding Taiwan Bee varieties. The orange eye mutation affects only the eye coloration and does not impact the shrimp's health or vision. Combined with blue body coloration ranging from pale sky blue to deep navy, and subtle to pronounced tiger stripes, each OEBT is unique. Their hardiness relative to other fancy Caridina, combined with their stunning appearance, has made them popular among intermediate keepers looking for something more exotic than Neocaridina.
Quick Facts
Water Parameters for Orange Eye Blue Tiger Shrimp
Maintaining stable water parameters is crucial for the health and coloration of Orange Eye Blue Tiger Shrimp.
| Parameter | Range | Optimal |
|---|---|---|
| TDS | 100-200 ppm | 120-180 ppm |
| GH | 4-8 dGH | 5-7 dGH |
| KH | 0-4 dKH | 1-3 dKH |
| pH | 6-7.5 | 6.5-7.2 |
| Temperature | 64-79°F (18-26°C) | 68-75°F |
Tank Setup for Orange Eye Blue Tiger Shrimp
- Active substrate is optional - OEBT can thrive on inert substrates in appropriate water
- Dark substrates enhance the visibility of blue coloration
- Plant heavily with mosses for biofilm and shrimplet cover
- Sponge filters are ideal and provide additional grazing surfaces
- Include driftwood and botanicals for natural biofilm development
Care Tips for Orange Eye Blue Tiger Shrimp
- Parameters are controversial - OEBT tolerate wider ranges than typical Caridina
- Many keepers report success in both soft-water Caridina setups AND harder Neocaridina-like conditions
- Start with intermediate parameters (TDS 150, pH 7.0) and observe the colony's response
- Stability is more important than hitting exact parameters with this species
- Avoid extreme soft water (TDS under 80) unless you have experience with sensitive Caridina
- Some hobbyists recommend slightly higher mineral content than typical Caridina for OEBT
- Weekly water changes (10-15%) with matched parameters help maintain health
Feeding Orange Eye Blue Tiger Shrimp
- Feed quality shrimp-specific foods
- Biofilm is essential as the dietary foundation
- Color-enhancing foods containing astaxanthin can intensify blue coloration
- Calcium and mineral supplements support healthy molting
- Feed moderately 2-3 times per week
Breeding Orange Eye Blue Tiger Shrimp
- Relatively prolific breeders compared to Taiwan Bees
- Offspring may vary in blue intensity - some will be lighter than parents
- Orange eye trait typically breeds true when breeding OEBTxOEBT
- Can be crossed with other Tiger shrimp but offspring may lose orange eyes
- Culling lighter individuals helps maintain colony color quality over generations
Orange Eye Blue Tiger Shrimp Grading System
Orange Eye Blue 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 OEBT
Good blue coloring with clear orange eyes. Tiger stripes may be subtle.
Characteristics
- Visible blue coloring
- Clear orange eyes
- Some tiger striping
- May have lighter areas
High Grade OEBT
Strong blue coloration with vivid orange eyes and visible tiger stripes.
Characteristics
- Deep blue coloring
- Bright orange eyes
- Clear tiger stripes
- Good overall color saturation
Premium OEBT
Maximum blue intensity with perfect orange eye color and excellent stripe definition.
Characteristics
- Maximum blue saturation
- Perfect orange eye color
- Bold tiger stripes
- Show quality specimens
Grades listed from lowest to highest quality
Common Problems with Orange Eye Blue Tiger Shrimp
- Parameter confusion - conflicting advice about soft vs. hard water setups
- Color intensity varies widely between individuals and bloodlines
- Some offspring may not develop strong orange eyes
- Blue coloration can fade under stress or poor conditions
- May be sold mixed with regular Blue Tigers lacking orange eyes
Troubleshooting Orange Eye Blue 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.
Orange Eye Blue Tiger Shrimp FAQ
This is highly debated in the hobby. Many keepers report success with OEBT in higher TDS (200+) and neutral pH water similar to Neocaridina conditions. Others maintain them in traditional soft, acidic Caridina setups. OEBT appear more adaptable than other Caridina varieties. The key is stability - pick parameters and maintain them consistently.
Blue fading can occur due to stress, poor water quality, inadequate diet, or genetic factors. Ensure stable parameters, feed color-enhancing foods with astaxanthin, use dark substrate to enhance visual contrast, and consider the genetic quality of your breeding stock.
When breeding OEBTxOEBT, the orange eye trait typically breeds true since both parents carry the recessive gene. However, if crossed with non-orange eye Tigers, offspring will likely have normal dark eyes but carry the gene. Only orange-eyed pairs produce consistent orange-eyed offspring.
OEBT are Tiger shrimp (Caridina cantonensis) with orange eyes and tiger stripes on blue bodies. Blue Bolts are Taiwan Bee shrimp with solid blue coloration and no tiger stripes. They have different genetics, different care requirements, and different appearances - Blue Bolts require stricter soft-water parameters.
Yes, OEBT can interbreed with other Caridina cantonensis varieties including Taiwan Bees and Crystal shrimp. However, such crosses will produce hybrid offspring that may lose the orange eye trait and won't breed true. Keep OEBT separate if maintaining pure lines.
The orange eye mutation occurred naturally in wild Tiger shrimp populations and was discovered and stabilized through selective breeding by hobbyists in the early 2000s. It's a recessive genetic trait that only affects eye pigmentation without impacting health or vision.
Yes, OEBT are excellent for hobbyists transitioning from Neocaridina to fancier shrimp. They're more forgiving than Taiwan Bees, breed reasonably well, and offer stunning appearance without extreme parameter requirements. They're considered a good 'bridge species' between beginner and advanced shrimp keeping.
Track Your Orange Eye Blue Tiger Shrimp Parameters
Stop guessing. Start tracking. ShrimpKeeper gives you species-specific parameter ranges, instant diagnostics, and historical graphs for your Orange Eye Blue Tiger Shrimp colony.