What tank size does a Crystal Red Shrimp need?

A Crystal Red Shrimp needs an aquarium of at least 38 litres (10 US gallons) with a footprint at least 45 cm (17.7 in) long — for this species, swimming length matters as much as raw volume.

What water parameters does a Crystal Red Shrimp need?

Crystal Red Shrimp does best at 18–26 °C (64.4–78.8 °F), pH 5.5–6.8 and a general hardness of 3–6 °dGH.

What group size does a Crystal Red Shrimp need?

Crystal Red Shrimp is a social species — keep a group of at least 10 so natural behaviour emerges and stress stays low.

Is the Crystal Red Shrimp suitable for beginners?

Crystal Red Shrimp is a demanding species best attempted with some experience — it needs stable, closely watched conditions to thrive.

Species library

Crystal Red Shrimp

Caridina cantonensis

Atyidae

InvertsDifficulty: ●●●●○Data: well-established

📷 DirkBlankenhaus · CC BY-SA 3.0 · resized · Wikimedia Commons

Crystal Red Shrimp — Caridina cantonensis — 📷 DirkBlankenhaus · CC BY-SA 3.0 · resized · Wikimedia Commons

About

The crystal red shrimp is a striking red-and-white patterned selective line of Caridina cantonensis (the 'bee shrimp' complex), prized by hobbyists and graded by the intensity and coverage of its white bands. Considerably more demanding than Neocaridina, it requires soft, acidic, low-KH water — typically achieved with an active buffering substrate and remineralized RO/DI water. It is a peaceful, delicate colony animal best kept in a dedicated, mature shrimp tank.

Care

Demands stable soft, acidic water (GH 3-6, KH 0-2, pH 5.5-6.5) over an active substrate, usually with remineralized RO water. Highly copper-sensitive and intolerant of parameter swings; not a beginner shrimp.

Diet

Biofilm grazer; feed sparingly with bee-shrimp-specific foods, mineral supplements and leaf litter. Excess food quickly degrades water quality and stresses the colony.

Tankmate compatibility

Computed by the AquaSage engine for a spacious reference tank — always check the full verdict for your exact setup in the calculator.

Telling males from females

What works for this species, most reliable first.

Saddle and berryStrong · at 12–18 mm body length — under 10 mm nothing shows
The ovaries show through the shell behind the head as a pale yellow or green patch shaped like a saddle. Those are unfertilised eggs, and their appearance is what tells you she is mature. Once she is carrying, they move under the tail and are fanned by her swimmerets.

All the methods, with diagrams

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Frequently asked questions

What tank size does a Crystal Red Shrimp need?: A Crystal Red Shrimp needs an aquarium of at least 38 litres (10 US gallons) with a footprint at least 45 cm (17.7 in) long — for this species, swimming length matters as much as raw volume.
What water parameters does a Crystal Red Shrimp need?: Crystal Red Shrimp does best at 18–26 °C (64.4–78.8 °F), pH 5.5–6.8 and a general hardness of 3–6 °dGH.
What group size does a Crystal Red Shrimp need?: Crystal Red Shrimp is a social species — keep a group of at least 10 so natural behaviour emerges and stress stays low.
Is the Crystal Red Shrimp suitable for beginners?: Crystal Red Shrimp is a demanding species best attempted with some experience — it needs stable, closely watched conditions to thrive.

Sources

Water & tank

Temperature18–26°C

Optimal temp.20–24°C

pH5.5–6.8

Hardness (GH)3–6°d

Carbonate (KH)0–2°d

Adult size3 cm

Min. volume≥ 38 L

Min. tank length≥ 45 cm

Group size≥ 10

Swimming zoneBottom

TemperamentPeaceful

Water typeFreshwater

FlowLow

Lifespan~1.5 yrs

Try in the calculator