About Royal Blue Tiger Shrimp
Royal Blue Tiger shrimp are prized for their deep, rich blue coloration combined with classic tiger stripe patterns. Named for their regal appearance, these shrimp display blue colors ranging from sapphire to deep navy, creating one of the most visually striking Tiger shrimp variants available. Unlike their Orange Eye Blue Tiger cousins, Royal Blues typically have black eyes and often show even deeper blue saturation. The development of Royal Blue Tigers came through selective breeding of wild-type Tiger shrimp exhibiting blue coloration. Breeders selected the deepest, most saturated blue individuals over many generations to create the rich coloring seen today. The result is a Tiger shrimp variant that rivals Taiwan Bee shrimp in visual impact while maintaining the relative hardiness of the Tiger lineage. Royal Blue Tigers require more precise care than some Tiger variants, placing them at the more demanding end of the intermediate difficulty spectrum. They prefer soft, acidic water and benefit from active substrate to maintain stable pH. Their care requirements are closer to Crystal shrimp than to Tangerine Tigers, but they remain more forgiving than sensitive Taiwan Bee varieties. For hobbyists seeking a striking blue shrimp without the extreme demands of Blue Bolt Taiwan Bees, Royal Blue Tigers offer an excellent alternative.
Quick Facts
Water Parameters for Royal Blue Tiger Shrimp
Maintaining stable water parameters is crucial for the health and coloration of Royal Blue Tiger Shrimp.
| Parameter | Range | Optimal |
|---|---|---|
| TDS | 100-160 ppm | 120-150 ppm |
| GH | 4-6 dGH | 4-5 dGH |
| KH | 0-2 dKH | 0-1 dKH |
| pH | 5.8-6.8 | 6-6.5 |
| Temperature | 64-77°F (18-25°C) | 68-73°F |
Tank Setup for Royal Blue Tiger Shrimp
- Active buffering substrate is essential (ADA Amazonia, Fluval Stratum, etc.)
- Dark substrates (black) create dramatic contrast with blue coloring
- Heavy moss planting for biofilm and shrimplet survival
- Sponge filtration protects shrimplets and provides grazing surfaces
- Include Indian Almond Leaves and botanicals for biofilm development
Care Tips for Royal Blue Tiger Shrimp
- RO water remineralized with Caridina GH+ is required for optimal coloration
- Active buffering substrate is essential for maintaining acidic conditions
- More demanding than Tangerine Tigers - closer to Crystal shrimp requirements
- TDS should be kept stable in the 120-150 range
- Weekly water changes (10%) with carefully matched parameters
- Dark substrates enhance the visibility of blue coloration
- Avoid rapid parameter changes which can cause stress and color fading
Feeding Royal Blue Tiger Shrimp
- Feed quality Caridina-specific foods
- Color-enhancing foods with spirulina and astaxanthin may improve blue saturation
- Biofilm remains the dietary foundation
- Feed moderately - water quality impacts color expression
- Calcium and mineral supplements support healthy molting
Breeding Royal Blue Tiger Shrimp
- Blue intensity varies in offspring
- Select the deepest blue individuals for breeding to improve colony quality
- May take several generations to stabilize color in a new colony
- Can be crossed with other Tiger varieties but may dilute blue coloration
- Culling lighter individuals helps maintain color quality over time
Royal Blue Tiger Shrimp Grading System
Royal 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 Royal Blue Tiger
Good blue coloring with visible tiger stripes. Blue intensity may vary.
Characteristics
- Visible blue coloration
- Tiger stripes present
- Decent color coverage
- May have lighter areas
High Grade Royal Blue Tiger
Deep blue coloration throughout with clear tiger stripe patterns.
Characteristics
- Deep blue color
- Clear tiger pattern
- Good color consistency
- Strong overall appearance
Premium Royal Blue Tiger
Maximum blue saturation with a rich, royal appearance. Show-quality specimens.
Characteristics
- Maximum blue saturation
- Rich royal appearance
- Excellent stripe definition
- Show quality
Grades listed from lowest to highest quality
Common Problems with Royal Blue Tiger Shrimp
- Color intensity can vary significantly between individuals
- Blue may fade under stress, poor conditions, or improper diet
- Requires stricter parameters than some Tiger variants
- May be confused with OEBT (check for orange vs black eyes)
- Offspring quality can be inconsistent - selective breeding required
Troubleshooting Royal 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.
Royal Blue Tiger Shrimp FAQ
Royal Blue Tigers have black eyes and often deeper blue saturation. Orange Eye Blue Tigers (OEBT) have distinctive orange eyes. They're related varieties but different in appearance and care requirements - OEBT are often more parameter-flexible while Royal Blues tend to prefer stricter Caridina conditions.
They're intermediate to advanced difficulty - more demanding than Tangerine Tigers but less extreme than Taiwan Bees. They require proper Caridina setups with RO water, active substrate, and soft acidic conditions. Good for keepers with some Caridina experience.
Blue fading occurs from stress, unstable parameters, poor water quality, or inadequate diet. Check your parameters (TDS, pH, GH), ensure stability, feed color-enhancing foods, and minimize stress. The blue should return once conditions stabilize.
Yes, Royal Blue Tigers can interbreed with other Caridina cantonensis including Taiwan Bees. However, this produces hybrid offspring that may not display either variety's best traits. Keep separate for pure breeding.
Active buffering substrate in dark colors (black) is ideal. The active substrate maintains acidic pH, and dark coloring creates dramatic contrast that showcases the blue coloration. ADA Amazonia, Fluval Stratum, or similar products work well.
Select and breed only the deepest blue individuals, maintain optimal parameters, feed color-enhancing foods (spirulina, astaxanthin), use dark substrate for contrast, and minimize stress. Color improvement takes generations of selective breeding.
No, they're different varieties. Royal Blue Tigers are Tiger shrimp with blue coloring and tiger stripes. Blue Bolts are Taiwan Bee shrimp with solid blue coloring (no stripes) and different genetics. Blue Bolts generally require stricter parameters.
Track Your Royal Blue Tiger Shrimp Parameters
Stop guessing. Start tracking. ShrimpKeeper gives you species-specific parameter ranges, instant diagnostics, and historical graphs for your Royal Blue Tiger Shrimp colony.