Pink Steel Bolt

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About the Pink Steel Bolt Shrimp

The Pink Steel Bolt Shrimp is a premium Caridina shrimp prized for its striking pink, red and pearlescent colouration. Often traded as Pink Bolt or Red Steel, these shrimp can display beautiful pastel pink, red and metallic tones that make them stand out in a planted shrimp aquarium.

This is a specialty Caridina variety best suited to aquarists who can provide stable, soft and slightly acidic water. They thrive in mature aquariums with plenty of biofilm, moss, driftwood and natural grazing surfaces.

Their small size and peaceful nature make them excellent nano-aquarium inhabitants. A dedicated shrimp aquarium is ideal, particularly when the goal is to maintain and develop a high-quality colour line.

Like other Caridina, they are sensitive to sudden changes in water chemistry. Consistency is far more important than chasing individual parameter numbers.

Quick Care Guide

• Scientific Name: Caridina sp.
• Common Name: Pink Steel Bolt Shrimp, Pink Bolt, Red Steel Shrimp
• Family: Atyidae
• Type: Freshwater Dwarf Shrimp
• Adult Size: Approximately 2–3 cm
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Care Level: Advanced
• Minimum Aquarium: 20 L+
• Temperature: 20–24°C
• pH: 5.5–6.5
• GH: 4–6 dGH
• KH: 0–2 dKH
• Diet: Omnivore / Biofilm Grazer
• Tank Level: Bottom / All levels
• Breeding: Freshwater breeding
• Origin: Captive-bred Caridina line

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Pink Steel Bolt Shrimp suitable for beginners?

They are better suited to experienced shrimp keepers because Caridina require very stable, soft and low-KH water.

What do Pink Steel Bolt Shrimp eat?

They naturally graze on biofilm, algae and microorganisms. Supplement this with quality Caridina shrimp foods and occasional blanched vegetables.

What water do they need?

Soft, slightly acidic water is preferred, with low KH and stable GH. RO water remineralised with a suitable shrimp mineral is commonly used for specialist Caridina aquariums.

Can I keep them with fish?

They can be, but a shrimp-only aquarium is recommended for the best survival and breeding results. Most fish will eat newborn shrimplets.

Do Pink Steel Bolt Shrimp breed in freshwater?

Yes. They have a direct freshwater life cycle, meaning the young hatch as miniature shrimp and do not require brackish or marine water.

Can I keep them with other Caridina?

Yes, but different Caridina varieties may interbreed depending on their genetics. If maintaining a specific colour line is important, keep compatible breeding lines separately.

Common Mistakes

• ❌ Using hard, high-KH tap water
• ❌ Making sudden changes to water parameters
• ❌ Adding them to an immature aquarium
• ❌ Overfeeding
• ❌ Keeping them with predatory fish
• ❌ Allowing temperature or TDS to fluctuate dramatically