Hello! I have nine shrimp that I purchased from my LFS that were labeled "Blue Caesar neocaridina sp." I picked up the last dregs of the tank so no doubt I have somewhat inferior stock - rather than a deep colour they have blue speckles on a transparent body - but to me they are an interesting variant on wild-type caridina colouration. (Blue Caesar is not a Googleable name either so likely a "short run" designer strain that doesn't breed true.)
I have noticed a few things that make me doubt their species, however, and I'm hoping that someone here can help.
The first is the fact that I have observed them occasionally hanging out in the current, arms out, filter-feeding with their forelimbs much like a bamboo or vampire shrimp. I have never heard of neocaridina doing this in any of my research.
The second is that my one berried female seems to be carrying her eggs internally, something that I'm not aware of any shrimp doing at all. This could just be a bad observation on my part, but take a look at the first photo below and tell me what you think. Maybe she is just full of poop! ? Perhaps it is a patch of true blue colour showing up as she matures. I have a few other saddled females so I am hoping that further breeding will help me resolve this issue.
Anyhow, I'm curious to hear what others have to say!
I have noticed a few things that make me doubt their species, however, and I'm hoping that someone here can help.
The first is the fact that I have observed them occasionally hanging out in the current, arms out, filter-feeding with their forelimbs much like a bamboo or vampire shrimp. I have never heard of neocaridina doing this in any of my research.
The second is that my one berried female seems to be carrying her eggs internally, something that I'm not aware of any shrimp doing at all. This could just be a bad observation on my part, but take a look at the first photo below and tell me what you think. Maybe she is just full of poop! ? Perhaps it is a patch of true blue colour showing up as she matures. I have a few other saddled females so I am hoping that further breeding will help me resolve this issue.
Anyhow, I'm curious to hear what others have to say!