Classification and published species name
Caridina chui — formally described 2026
Picture-style taxon evidence tree
Wild distribution context
Hong Kong
Diagnosis and study methods
2026 paper describes cryptic specimens formerly resembling C. cantonensis or C. serrata; detailed species discrimination uses adult anatomy and COI + 16S, not a named aquarium color phenotype.
Taxonomic history and relationships
Among the three newly described Hong Kong C. serrata-group species; differs from co-occurring C. cantonensis in adult rostral and pereiopod proportions and male pleopod structures.
Aquarium trade and false look-alikes
A valid wild taxon in this research, NOT a documented Crystal, Taiwan Bee, or Pinto founder.
Controlled breeding outcome counts
Not a controlled ornamental-breeding study
Molecular color gene evidence
No peer-reviewed commercial color locus assigned to this name by cited taxonomic sources
Conservation / handling caveat
Research identification of a wild species is not a commercial availability announcement. Avoid collecting, purchasing undocumented wild specimens or inferring permissive collecting regulations.
Claim-level original references
- Chow, Chan, Leung & Tsang (2026), three cryptic Hong Kong Caridina
Peer-reviewed original integrative taxonomy, COI and 16S mitochondrial sequences; includes three new species and a nonmonophyly finding
- Lingnan University author and DOI record for 2026 Zoological Studies article
University index confirms full names, date, affiliations and original DOI