Blue Shadow Mosura Shrimp : A Rare and Elegant Aquatic Jewel 

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Get mesmerized in the vibrant blue-black and white pattern of the Blue Shadow Mosura Shrimp species including premium care and maintenance tips for a long and healthy lifespan. 

A Blue Mosura Shrimp in a planted tank
A Blue Mosura Shrimp in a planted tank

Striking Caridina species are all the rave for nano aquarium owners because of their unique colorations and calm temperament. One of these popular variations is the Caridina cantonensis Mosura variant or the Blue Shadow Mosura. 

Hobbyists love this freshwater ornamental shrimp for its blue-black shells splattered with white patterns. Its unique appearance makes it a worthy centerpiece. Other perks include the simplicity of the Blue Shadow Mosura shrimp’s care routines from living to feeding, breeding, and health maintenance.

The Unique Appearance of Blue Shadow Mosura Shrimp 

Ornamental freshwater shrimp features are so unique that they immediately capture your attention at first sight. This trait is handy when identifying Blue Shadow Mosura shrimp since you can look for its shape, size and coloration.

Next, let’s check out the Blue Shadow Mosura Shrimp’s vibrant colors for a standout addition to any planted tanks. 

Color Pattern

Blue Shadow Mosura Shrimp with bright white patterns 
Blue Shadow Mosura Shrimp with bright white patterns 

Blue Mosura Caridina species have unique shrimp color patterns of varying deep blue bodies with bright white head markings. These white markings trail from the head to the back, forming a Mosura pattern, hence the name. 

Blue Mosura Shrimp with more white Patterns than blue-black splotches
Blue Mosura Shrimp with more white Patterns than blue-black splotches

Unique Traits

Besides its white markings and midnight blue body, which make the Blue Shadow Mosura a high-grade shrimp, it has the same average 2-3cm size as some other Caridina Variants. The icing on the cake is its peaceful temperament suitable for community living. 

Crafting the Perfect Aquarium for Blue Shadow Mosura Shrimp 

You must give your pets an ideal environment to ensure they grow to their normal size with vibrant colors and live for 1-2 years. This Blue Shadow Mosura shrimp tank setup guide includes recommendations for tank size, layout, water parameters, substrate and decor. 

Tank Size and Layout 

Like many of the Caridina shrimps, this variant is small, so a minimum size of 10 gallons can easily keep a large group, keeping in mind the 5 shrimp to 1 gallon rule. Then, build a stable and planted environment with moss, driftwood and stones to resemble the shrimp’s natural habitat and make them comfortable. 

Water Parameters 

Blue Shadow Mosura shrimp come from Asian rivers with soft, slightly acidic water. Follow this ideal Caridina habitat guide to give your pets the best living and breeding conditions for optimal health. 

Temperature 68 -75℉
pH level 5.5 – 6.5
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) 100 – 180 ppm 
Hardness General Hardness 4 – 6 dGH | Carbonated Hardness 0 – 1 dKH 

Substrate and Decor 

Remember, I hinted at the importance of a stable planted environment to enhance vibrant coloration in your Blue Shadow Mosura shrimp. Well, here’s how you can achieve a planted aquarium for shrimp species: 

Use active ADA soil as a substrate to maintain the slightly acidic water conditions.

ADA Aqua Soil 
  • Include large leaves like Java Fern and aquatic leaves like moss as natural decor and shelter during breeding.
  • Use a gentle filtration system to keep the decor and substrate clean without sucking your pets in or hurting them. 

Filters help with the nitrogen cycle, converting uneaten food to harmless nitrite-nitrate from ammonia. 

See Also: 13 Stunning Neocaridina Shrimp Varieties to Brighten Your Freshwater Aquarium

Feeding Blue Shadow Mosura Shrimp: Supporting Their Radiance 

As a shrimp-keeping pro and enthusiast, you probably already have background knowledge on the diet of ornamental shrimp, but here are some useful tips for beginners. 

Diet Suggestions 

Blue Shadow Mosura Shrimp Having Lunch
Blue Shadow Mosura Shrimp Having Lunch

When feeding Blue Mosura shrimp, you must decide what you hope to achieve. Is it for their internal health, physical appearance, or overall well-being? The right answer is all three, so balanced diets are the best. 

Also, instead of relying on external sources, enhancing colors through nutrition is the healthiest means of maintaining your pet’s appearance. 

Give them Biofilm, high-quality shrimp pellets, and algae wafers as staples, while blanched vegetables and live foods are great supplements and treats. 

Feeding Tips

Serve your Caridina shrimp in small quantities they can consume within three minutes and only twice to thrice daily. It’ll reduce overfeeding and water contamination from uneaten food, leading to health hazards. 

Before we dive into preventing health diseases, let’s discuss breeding Blue Shadow Mosura shrimp. 

For more on feeding your aquatic pets check out The Ultimate Guide to Fish Food: Pros and Cons & Best Choices!

Breeding Blue Shadow Mosura Shrimp: Ensuring Success 

A breeding tank of Blue Shadow Mosura Shrimps having a feeding frenzy
A breeding tank of Blue Shadow Mosura Shrimps having a feeding frenzy

Breeding Blue Shadow Mosura shrimp requires the same tank specifications as regular living shrimps, so scroll back up for a refresher. But that’s not all. Some selective breeding practices are necessary for maintaining their unique traits, whether in appearance or temperament. 

Breeding Setup 

Maintain pristine water conditions and a stress-free environment with stable parameters to prepare your pets for reproduction.

This video has been very helpful in identifying the sex of caridina Shrimp, I highly recommend it:

How to Sex Shrimp (Neocaridina & Caridina)

Now, read these Caridina breeding success tips carefully: 

  • Provide hiding spots for the females to lay their hatched eggs. It can be a cave or leaf shelter.
  • During the 20 – 30 days, the female Mosura shrimp carries the eggs in her abdomen, so ensure the water is stable, soft, slightly acidic, and cool at 68 – 75℉. 
  • Ensure the tank has only the breeders or partition the breeding area and keep only the parent Blue Shadow Mosura shrimps inside until delivery. 

Fry Care Tips 

Raising shrimp fry requires your full attention, so don’t start this journey if you’re busy. When the tiny but full-formed baby shrimps emerge, you must feed them powdered shrimp food or specialized micro-algae until they’re large enough to graze for Biofilm. 

Tank Mates for Blue Shadow Mosura Shrimp: Building a Peaceful Community 

Harmonious coexistence in aquariums is only possible with compatible species, and for Blue Shadow Mosura shrimp, that means peaceful shrimp-friendly fish or other Caridina variants.

Compatible tankmates for Blue Mosura shrimp are mostly shrimps or peaceful invertebrates, and if there must be a fish, let it be nano fish like Ember Tetras. Avoid larger or more aggressive fish or other species. 

Keep reading because more freshwater shrimp community tips will help you maintain an optimal aquarium. 

Preventing Health Issues in Blue Shadow Mosura Shrimp 

Because of their delicate physical appearance, Blue Shadow Mosura shrimp health care requires careful attention. The slightest error or neglect can lead to sickness and death. 

Common health issues they face are stress-related illnesses from poor water maintenance and molting problems. The good news is that you can avoid these illnesses by following the tips in this guide. 

Preventative Measures 

Performing regular water changes, maintaining stable water parameters and avoiding copper-based treatment harmful to shrimps are sure steps for preventing shrimp diseases. But if your pets still get sick, don’t worry. There are solutions, too. 

Signs of Illnesses 

First look out for signs of illnesses like inactivity, loss of color, and failed molts so you’d know what disease you’re treating. 

Signs IllnessTreatment 
Can’t shed exoskeleton or malformed shellsFailed MoltsAdd calcium and magnesium to your diet, and stabilize  dGH levels at 4 – 6
Fatigue, Abnormal Swimming patterns Infection (Bacterial or Fungal)  Improve water quality, antibacterial or antifungal treatment. 
Hiding, Loss of appetite, lethargyStress Improve water quality, diet, and tank mates 

You can see that following this guide is the secret to maintaining shrimp health. 

Lifespan of Blue Shadow Mosura Shrimp: Caring for Long-Term Companions 

You already have the best freshwater shrimp health tips from the top to this point, but let’s recap: 

Proper care, a balanced diet, and stable conditions to live 1 – 2 years. Practical tips for longevity. 

Lifespan Factors 

Stable water conditions, daily balanced diets, and proper overall care by keeping compatible tank mates for minimal stress provide long-term care for Caridina shrimp. 

Care Tips for Longevity 

When you adopt a routine of observing your pets and providing maintenance, as detailed in this Blue Mosura shrimp lifespan guide, rest assured your tiny pets will live their full 1 – 2 years of life.

Conclusion: Why Blue Shadow Mosura Shrimp Are a MustHave 

We’ve reached the zenith of yet another thrilling guide filled with premium Caridina shrimp tips. If you followed every line, I’m pleased to say you’re ready for vibrant ornamental shrimp care.

This complete Blue Shadow Mosura shrimp care guide has every detail, from preserving its unique beauty to providing specific needs and pairing compatible tankmates for your planted aquarium. I can’t wait to see what you do with your tanks, leave a comment below.

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Momchil

Momchil Boyanov is the Founder and now Senior Editor of AquAnswers. He has over 13+ years of experience in keeping home aquariums as well as providing professional aquarium services. Momchil has had his fair share of adventures in aquarium care. He has made MANY mistakes throughout his fishkeeping journey and thus learned A LOT. Through Aquanswers, Momchil shares knowledge about freshwater and saltwater aquariums with the people within this community.

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