GREEN BABAULTI SHRIMP !!

Caridina cf. babaulti "Green"

Caridina cf. babaulti is a species name in taxonomy that includes many different strains whose identities have yet to be clarified. The abbreviation “cf.” comes from the Latin “confer” or “conferatur,” meaning “compare.” It is usually placed between the genus and species names to describe specimens that are difficult to identify or to indicate a possible species identity.

Among these, besides the Green Babaulti Shrimp, another species commonly seen in Taiwanese aquariums is the Indian Zebra Shrimp (Zebra Babaulti).

Caridina cf. babaulti "Zebra"

Green Babaulti Shrimp come in a variety of colors and are capable of chromatic adaptation to their environment. This means their body color can change based on lighting, substrate, sex, breeding season, and age. Their most typical appearance is a grass-green body with horizontal stripes on the gill covers, and the longer, distinctly serrated rostrum is the most notable feature distinguishing them from the native Neocaridina shrimp.

A beautiful grass-green babaulti shrimp.

Green Babaulti Shrimp come in a variety of colors.

In my experience raising them, I found that Green Babaulti Shrimp are not only excellent at eating algae but also show a strong preference for Indian almond leaves that have been soaked in water. They like to hide in the leaves or feed directly on decomposing leaf matter. Adding a handful of Java moss during the acclimation period provides new shrimp with an excellent shelter and a natural food source, which increases their survival rate.

The water parameters and temperature requirements for breeding Green Babaulti Shrimp are the same as those for Neocaridina shrimp. Even softer water conditions (such as those used for Crystal Shrimp) are perfectly suitable for them, so I highly recommend everyone try keeping this species.