Breeding and Caring for CRS Shrimps

The Crystal Red Shrimp (CRS) or sometimes called Red Bee Shrimp is a very popular pet with many aquarist around the world. The finest examples of these shrimps were bred and produced in Japan years ago but these days most serious hobbyist are able to keep and breed these shrimps at home too. Graded and valued differently, most agrees that the white pigments of the best CRS should be as solid as possible. I wont discuss grading here as that is a different topic altogether. What I like to share is how you could keep, breed and raise your CRS at home.

We use ADA's Amazonia Aquasoil as base in each CRS tanks as essential trace and colloids from this substrate leaching into the water seems to be produce the best results. Water should be very clean so I strongly advise anyone from keeping CRS in a new tank. We introduce CRS into tanks with matured filtration system after a minimum of 7 weeks cycling. ADA's Bacter 100 or Bacter Ball is used together with Green Gain in prepping such tanks. The ideal water condition are pH6.0, kH2-3 with temperature of 25C. Forget about breeding CRS if you are not committed to provide the right environment. CRS in a beautiful tank is a statement of your commitment and discipline.

Dont fret if your CRS's beauty deteriorate because conditions are not right. With some care improving the conditions, the shrimps will become better after some weeks. Keep the water well filtered, cool at 24-25C, Aquasoil based substrate and feed them well. Water should  be changed weekly at around 25%. Add in some moss to the tank. Moss provides food for the shrimps as well as sponging up waste.

We add conditioners to the tank water each week when water is changed as supplements to the shrimps. As you know shrimp experience moltings regularly and the right conditioners support new shell colors and growth. We have had good results caring for CRS with products under the brand name Shirakura and Mosura.

With care, you will see your CRS optimized once again in time. Recently we had a whole bunch baby Snow Whites in our tanks and the parents are no SSS grade beauties at all. So I wish you all the best with your brood. Cheers!

Betta Taeniata

The blue cheek Borneo Betta or scientifically named Betta Taeniata (Regan 1910) is a medium sized wild betta from our hill streams here in Sarawak. There are also some specimens collected from Kalimantan but they have slight difference of color on the body. As in the case of many other wild bettas, spawning season brings out their best colors. The male displays very strong blueish green opercle with blackish border on their anal and caudal fins. When stressed, it is very hard to distinguish the male from the females as their colors fade out. Betta Taeniata is part of the Betta Picta group. Make sure their water is clean and the tank have plenty of plants to keep them happy.

A short visit to the Mentawai Islands

Sorry for being a little quiet the last couple of weeks. I was away in the Mentawai Islands (part of Indonesia) in the Indian Ocean, west of Sumatra. These cluster of remote islands offer their unique richness in bio diversity. Culturally, the Mentawai tribes share much similarity to the Dayaks in Borneo. Life on these islands in some places are still very untouched by the outside world. Life is basic with, water from well or rain, no electricity, and your BlackBerry aint going to work there. So there I was plastered with sunblock lotion and insect repellent (it's a Malaria infested area besides the regular earthquakes), adjusting and making the most of my time enjoying nature in it's pristine state.

There are interesting plants and fishes, among other animals on these islands from the shore to the mountains.

Cryptocoryne Bullosa

The Cryptocoryne plants have always been a fascinating aquatic plant for an enthusiast. They are add to any planted tank a certain feel that 'forest have been there since the beginning of time'. However keeping exotic Cryptocoryne like the Bullosa requires a certain experience. I first came across this plant thought to have gone extinct in the central region of Sarawak some years ago. In fact I cant remember if anyone have seen it prior to Japanese explorer, Yujii Sasaki re-discovering a patch of them back in the 80's. As usual wild collected specimens are robust with bullated leaves. The color of the leaves varies from dark green to brown to almost black depending on location. This plant can grow both in emmersed or submerssed form. I have kept them successfully propagated in ADA based aquariums while some of my friends report success with laterite based substrate.

Ambassis Interrupta

The Long Fin Glass Perchlet found in freshwater river of Matang, Sarawak was sampled from our last outing. I'd love to photograph a school of these fishes underwater swimming with Rasbora Caudimaculata and Rasbora Sarawakensis someday.

Unexpected but Pleasant Find

Sometimes I visit familiar locations of fishes to see for myself how the fish populations are like during different seasons. Today was one of those days, it had been raining a lot the last several days and isnt the best time for sampling. Kenneth and Mixrayon joined me today for an OJT trip somewhere in the wetlands of Matang. I wanted to show them several spots but mostly to collect a few more samples of fishes from these area. It was already late in the evening and throughout the day we were in between afternoon showers and the sun. The 3 of us were netting and suddenly we caught a few Glassfish. it was unusual as I have never seen them in that area. I'll try to get some photos up soon. I am not sure if they are Chanda Ranga as there are several different species of Chanda around.

Pseudogobiopsis Festivus

This freshwater Goby is relatively a new comer to the list of described fishes of Borneo. The Pseudogobiopsis Festivus (Larson, H.K., 2009) is an active fish that is loves clean clear cool water as it hails from hill streams. Although not much about this fish has been published yet, I am sure this will be another interesting pet for many aquarium keepers around the world. The adult male specimen display orange reddish filament fins and are rather attractive. Sandy or light gravel bed aquariums with some planting will suit these fishes. They are not shy and often will feed of your fingers.

Apologies for the poor quality photo, I have yet to capture a good shot if this vibrant active fish. Perhaps when I have better photo, I will repost again. Cheers!