About White Orchid Shrimp
White Orchid shrimp from Lake Poso offer an elegant alternative to the more famous Cardinal shrimp. Their delicate white to cream coloration, sometimes accented with red markings, creates a different aesthetic from the bold red-and-white Cardinals. The 'Starry Night' variant, with its white spots scattered across a darker body, adds another visually stunning option to the Sulawesi lineup. Originating from Lake Poso in Sulawesi, Indonesia, White Orchids share the general Sulawesi care requirements but are often considered slightly easier than Lake Matano species like Cardinals. They still need high pH, warm temperatures, and abundant biofilm, but some keepers find them more forgiving of minor parameter variations. This relative adaptability makes them a reasonable starting point for hobbyists new to Sulawesi shrimp. The variety of White Orchid types available adds to their appeal. Standard White Orchids display cream to white coloration, while Starry Night specimens show distinctive spotted patterns reminiscent of a night sky. Some individuals display red markings on their rostrum or legs, adding color accent to the white base. This diversity means keepers can find White Orchids that suit their aesthetic preferences.
Quick Facts
Water Parameters for White Orchid Shrimp
Maintaining stable water parameters is crucial for the health and coloration of White Orchid Shrimp. Sulawesi shrimp have unique requirements with higher pH and temperature needs compared to other dwarf shrimp.
| Parameter | Range | Optimal |
|---|---|---|
| TDS | 80-180 ppm | 100-150 ppm |
| GH | 4-8 dGH | 5-7 dGH |
| KH | 3-7 dKH | 4-6 dKH |
| pH | 7.5-8.5 | 7.8-8.2 |
| Temperature | 79-86°F (26-30°C) | 81-84°F |
Tank Setup for White Orchid Shrimp
- Use inert substrates - NO active buffering substrates
- Include plenty of rock surfaces for biofilm development
- Lava rock, limestone, and coral rubble provide grazing surfaces
- Strong lighting encourages biofilm and aufwuchs growth
- Moderate flow replicates lake conditions
- Minimum 3-6 months tank maturation before adding shrimp
Care Tips for White Orchid Shrimp
- Requires Sulawesi parameters: HIGH pH (7.8-8.2) and HIGH temperature (81-84F)
- RO water remineralized with Sulawesi-specific minerals is required
- DO NOT use active/buffering substrates - they lower pH
- Inert substrates (lava rock, limestone, coral rubble) work best
- Considered slightly easier than Cardinals but still advanced-level
- Tank must be mature with abundant biofilm before adding shrimp
- Slow acclimation is essential (minimum 4 hours drip)
Feeding White Orchid Shrimp
- Biofilm is the primary food source
- Graze constantly on aufwuchs covering rocks and surfaces
- Supplement sparingly with quality shrimp foods
- Strong lighting encourages biofilm growth for feeding
- Avoid overfeeding - biofilm should be the dietary foundation
Breeding White Orchid Shrimp
- Breed more readily than some Sulawesi species
- Moderate clutch sizes (10-25 eggs) for Sulawesi
- Stable, mature tanks show best breeding success
- Shrimplets are small and require abundant biofilm
- Colony growth is slow but steady in optimal conditions
White Orchid Shrimp Grading System
White Orchid 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 White Orchid
Good white/cream coloration. May have some tan or translucent areas.
Characteristics
- White to cream body
- Visible coloration
- May have color variation
- Good health indicators
High Grade White Orchid
Clean white coloration with minimal translucency. Clear pattern if Starry Night variant.
Characteristics
- Clean white color
- Minimal translucency
- Good pattern definition
- Strong appearance
Premium White Orchid
Maximum white saturation or perfect Starry Night spotting. Show-quality specimens.
Characteristics
- Pure white or perfect spots
- Show quality
- Maximum color expression
- Exceptional specimens
Grades listed from lowest to highest quality
Common Problems with White Orchid Shrimp
- Deaths from incorrect parameters (pH too low, temperature too low)
- Insufficient biofilm in immature tanks
- Rushed acclimation causing shock
- Parameter instability leading to stress
- Confusion with other white shrimp species requiring different care
Troubleshooting White Orchid Shrimp
Sulawesi shrimp are very sensitive and require pristine, stable conditions. 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.
White Orchid Shrimp FAQ
Many keepers find White Orchids slightly more forgiving than Cardinals, though they still require full Sulawesi setups. They're from Lake Poso rather than Lake Matano and seem to adapt a bit better to captive conditions. However, they're still advanced-level shrimp requiring high pH, high temperatures, and mature tanks.
The Starry Night variant displays white spots scattered across a darker body, creating an appearance reminiscent of stars in a night sky. It's the same species but a different color morph/pattern from the standard cream-white form.
Yes, they can coexist in the same tank as both require similar Sulawesi parameters (high pH, high temperature). Many keepers maintain multi-species Sulawesi tanks. Just ensure the tank is mature and large enough to support multiple species.
Like all Sulawesi shrimp, White Orchids need HIGH pH (7.8-8.2), HIGH temperature (81-84F), moderate GH (5-7), and KH (4-6). Use RO water remineralized with Sulawesi-specific minerals. These parameters are OPPOSITE of typical Caridina Bee shrimp.
Color fading can indicate stress from improper parameters, insufficient biofilm/diet, or recent shipping/acclimation stress. Check your pH (should be 7.8+) and temperature (81-84F). Ensure abundant biofilm is available. Color should return once conditions stabilize.
They're completely different species requiring different care. White Orchids are Sulawesi shrimp needing high pH (7.8+) and high temperatures (81-84F). Snowball shrimp (Neocaridina zhangjiajiensis) are hardy beginner shrimp thriving in cooler, neutral water. Don't confuse them!
White Orchid shrimp are endemic to Lake Poso in Sulawesi, Indonesia. Lake Poso is one of several ancient lakes in Sulawesi that host unique endemic shrimp species, each with their own distinct appearance and specific care requirements.
Track Your White Orchid Shrimp Parameters
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