No photo yet
Sign in to add the first photo.
Sunkist Babaulti Shrimp
Caridina babaulti
Animalia›Arthropoda›Malacostraca›Decapoda›Atyidae
The Sunkist Babaulti Shrimp is a vibrant orange to golden-yellow selectively bred variant of Caridina babaulti, prized for its intense coloration and hardy nature. This variety displays a solid, bright orange hue across the body with occasional darker markings, making it a striking addition to planted aquariums. The Sunkist coloration is more consistent and vivid than wild-type Babaulti, resulting from selective breeding programs.
Where it's from
Recorded as introduced in Norway
At a glance
- Size
- 1.5 in
- 4 cm
- Min tank
- 5 gal
- 19 L
- Group
- 10+
- Temp
- 68–79°F
- 20–26°C
- pH
- 6.0-7.5
- GH
- 71–143 ppm
- 4–8 dGH
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Swims
- Bottom
- Lifespan
- 1-2 yrs
Ammonia 0 ppm and nitrate under 20 ppm.
Care
Diet
Sunkist Babaulti are detritivores that graze on biofilm, algae, and decaying plant matter throughout the day. Supplement with high-quality shrimp pellets (Shirakura, Mosura) 2-3 times weekly and occasional blanched vegetables like spinach or zucchini. They thrive in established tanks with ample moss and leaf litter.
Behavior
These shrimp are active grazers, constantly foraging along the substrate and plants for food and biofilm. They are social and do best in groups, displaying natural colony behavior with minimal aggression. Molting occurs every 4-6 weeks; provide plenty of hiding spots and mineral-rich water to support successful molts.
Breeding
Sunkist Babaulti breed readily in slightly acidic to neutral water (pH 6.0-7.0) without requiring extreme soft water conditions, making them more forgiving than Taiwan Bee varieties. Females produce small batches of 10-20 shrimplets that are released as miniature adults. Breeding success improves with stable parameters and abundant food sources.
Tank mates
See all 6Small, peaceful algae-eater that shares bottom-dwelling niche without competing aggressively
Tiny, non-predatory fish that ignores shrimp and prefers upper water column
Nano fish that coexists peacefully with shrimp in planted tanks
Same species; compatible for mixed-color colonies
Larger shrimp species that rarely preys on Babaulti; minimal competition
Member photos
Photos are added when members log a tank with this species and upload a photo in their tank journal. Add your own tank to contribute.
No photos yet — add a tank with Sunkist Babaulti Shrimp to be the first!
Sign in to vote.
Common diseases 4Molting Failure / Incomplete Molt, Bacterial Infection / Muscular Necrosis, Vorticella / Fungal Infection, Copper Toxicity
Molting Failure / Incomplete Molt
Shrimp stuck in molt, unable to shed exoskeleton; lethargy; death within hours if not resolved
Increase mineral content via GH booster or specialized shrimp mineral supplements; ensure pH 6.0-7.5 and stable parameters; provide calcium-rich foods (blanched spinach, specialized pellets)
Bacterial Infection / Muscular Necrosis
White or opaque patches on body or appendages; lethargy; loss of appetite; body discoloration
Perform 30% water change; increase aeration; add Indian almond leaves or tannins (Catappa leaves) to lower pH slightly and boost immune response; isolate affected individuals if possible; avoid copper-based treatments
Vorticella / Fungal Infection
Fuzzy white coating on body or antennae; cloudy appearance; difficulty moving
Increase water changes (25-30% every 2-3 days); add tannins via Catappa leaves or driftwood; maintain stable temperature (22-24 C); avoid copper treatments; improve water quality and reduce organic waste
Copper Toxicity
Sudden lethargy; loss of color; paralysis; death within hours
Perform immediate large water change (50%+); use copper-free medications and fertilizers; check all tank additives and plant treatments for copper content; use RO water if tap water contains copper; shrimp are extremely copper-sensitive
Legality
No state or federal restrictions on record.
Not legal advice, and possibly incomplete or out of date. Rules vary by state and change over time; check with your state wildlife or agriculture agency before buying, keeping or shipping it.
The care information here is written with AI help, so it can contain mistakes. Spot one? Tell us and we'll fix it. Native range: Global Register of Invasive and Introduced Species (CC BY 4.0).
At a glance
- Size
- 1.5 in4 cm
- Min tank
- 5 gal19 L
- Group
- 10+
- Temp
- 68–79°F20–26°C
- pH
- 6.0-7.5
- GH
- 71–143 ppm4–8 dGH
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Swims
- Bottom
- Lifespan
- 1-2 yrs
Ammonia 0 ppm and nitrate under 20 ppm.
Keepers’ experiences
Keep Sunkist Babaulti Shrimp? Share how it's going.
Nobody has shared one yet. A few lines on how they've done in your tank help the next keeper.