About Wine Red Taiwan Bee
Wine Red Taiwan Bee shrimp are among the most striking and sought-after varieties in the Taiwan Bee family. Their deep burgundy coloration, reminiscent of fine red wine, sets them apart from the brighter reds of standard Crystal Red Shrimp. Taiwan Bee varieties emerged in Taiwan during the late 2000s from crossing various Caridina cantonensis mutations, creating an entirely new category of ornamental shrimp. The Wine Red variety is prized for its exceptional color depth - a rich, saturated red that appears almost wine-dark under proper lighting. Unlike the cherry or fire red of Neocaridina, Wine Reds have a sophisticated burgundy tone that serious collectors find irresistible. The coloring should be completely opaque with no translucent patches, covering the entire body including the legs. Keeping Wine Red Taiwan Bees successfully requires experience with Caridina species. They demand the same soft, acidic water parameters as other Taiwan Bee varieties but can be more sensitive to parameter fluctuations. Many keepers consider them more challenging than standard CRS or CBS, making them appropriate for intermediate to advanced hobbyists who have mastered the basics of Caridina care.
Quick Facts
Water Parameters for Wine Red Taiwan Bee
Maintaining stable water parameters is crucial for the health and coloration of Wine Red Taiwan Bee. As a Caridina species, they require more specific water conditions and are less tolerant of parameter swings.
| 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 Wine Red Taiwan Bee
- Heavily planted tanks with mature biofilm are essential
- Active buffering substrate is mandatory - plan for replacement cycles
- Moderate flow with excellent filtration - sponge or matten filters recommended
- Stable, established tanks perform best - avoid adding Taiwan Bees to new setups
- Include botanicals like Indian Almond Leaves for tannins and biofilm development
Care Tips for Wine Red Taiwan Bee
- Use RO water remineralized with Caridina GH+ only - absolutely essential for Taiwan Bees
- Active buffering substrate must be maintained - replace when buffering capacity depletes
- Keep TDS at 100-150 ppm with very stable parameters - Taiwan Bees are less forgiving than CRS
- Temperature stability is crucial - even 1-2 degree swings can cause stress
- Perform small water changes (5-10%) weekly with perfectly matched parameters
- Avoid any medications, fertilizers, or additives not specifically labeled shrimp-safe
- Quarantine new additions longer than with hardier species - 2-4 weeks minimum
Feeding Wine Red Taiwan Bee
- Premium Caridina-specific foods are recommended - Wine Reds deserve the best nutrition
- Color-enhancing foods with astaxanthin can help maintain deep wine coloration
- Ensure abundant biofilm growth before adding Taiwan Bees
- Feed very sparingly - Taiwan Bees are sensitive to water quality degradation from overfeeding
- Mineral supplements support healthy molting and color development
Breeding Wine Red Taiwan Bee
- Wine Reds typically have smaller clutches (10-20 eggs) than standard Crystal shrimp
- Breeding pair selection is crucial - both parents should have excellent color depth
- Shrimplet survival rates may be lower than with CRS/CBS - ensure mature tank with abundant biofilm
- Can be crossed with other Taiwan Bee varieties to develop unique patterns
- Line breeding Wine Reds maintains color intensity across generations
Wine Red Taiwan Bee Grading System
Wine Red Taiwan Bee 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 Wine Red
Solid wine-red coloring throughout the body with good color density. The foundation grade for Wine Red Taiwan Bees.
Characteristics
- Complete wine-red coverage
- Opaque coloring
- No translucent areas
- Consistent shade throughout
Deep Wine Red
Exceptionally dark and intense wine coloring. The most saturated and vivid specimens.
Characteristics
- Extra deep burgundy color
- Maximum color saturation
- Perfect opacity
- Premium color intensity
Wine Red with Pattern
Wine Red combined with white markings, creating stunning contrast patterns.
Characteristics
- Wine red base with white accents
- Pattern variations possible
- Mosura or Panda patterns
- Unique individual markings
Grades listed from lowest to highest quality
Common Problems with Wine Red Taiwan Bee
- Color fading often indicates stress, poor water quality, or dietary deficiency
- Lower breeding success compared to CRS/CBS is normal for Taiwan Bees
- Deaths during acclimation are common - use extended drip acclimation (2-3 hours)
- Molting issues may indicate mineral imbalance or parameter instability
- Taiwan Bees may not thrive in tanks where CRS/CBS breed readily - higher standards required
Troubleshooting Wine Red Taiwan Bee
Caridina are particularly sensitive to water quality issues and parameter swings. 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.
Wine Red Taiwan Bee FAQ
Wine Reds have a deeper, darker burgundy coloration compared to the bright cherry-red of CRS. Wine Reds are Taiwan Bee varieties with different genetics, typically more challenging to keep, and command higher prices. The color appears more sophisticated and wine-like rather than bright red.
Yes, Wine Reds are considered advanced-level shrimp. They require the same parameters as CRS (soft, acidic water with TDS 100-150) but are less tolerant of parameter fluctuations. They're recommended for keepers who have successfully bred CRS or CBS.
Color loss can indicate stress from parameter instability, poor diet, or inadequate water quality. Ensure perfect parameters, feed color-enhancing foods with astaxanthin, and minimize stress. Some color variation is normal after shipping or during acclimation.
Yes, all Taiwan Bee varieties can interbreed with CRS and CBS as they're all Caridina cantonensis. However, crossing may produce unpredictable offspring colors and patterns. Serious breeders maintain separate tanks to preserve pure lines.
Wine Reds typically cost $15-30 for standard specimens, $30-60 for exceptionally deep-colored individuals, and $40-100+ for patterned specimens with white markings. Prices vary by source and local availability.
A minimum of 10 gallons is recommended for any Taiwan Bee variety. Larger tanks provide more stable parameters and are easier to maintain. Many serious keepers use 20+ gallon tanks for their breeding colonies.
While they eat the same foods as other Caridina, premium foods with color-enhancing ingredients help maintain their signature deep burgundy coloration. Spirulina, astaxanthin-rich foods, and quality biofilm are particularly beneficial.
Track Your Wine Red Taiwan Bee Parameters
Stop guessing. Start tracking. ShrimpKeeper gives you species-specific parameter ranges, instant diagnostics, and historical graphs for your Wine Red Taiwan Bee colony.