Crystal Black Shrimp Grading? The 189 Top Answers

Do you know that if your water is not in the desired PH range according to your fish, it can lead to problems like algae growth, coral growth, damage to the health of your fish, etc.? We highly recommend doing this API water test kit on Amazon.com so you always know the pH level of your aquarium.

The Crystal Red Shrimp, also known as CRS, is a rare and beautiful species of shrimp that can be identified by its white and red stripes. This unusual and fragile shrimp has evolved through many generations of inbreeding and mutation, producing a beautiful variety of shrimp of varying qualities. The original Red Crystal Shrimp has the same Crystal Shrimp pattern with alternating red stripes, but its entire surface is translucent with little to no white coloring.

Crystal red shrimp are very demanding and not recommended for novice aquarists. T-water needs to be maintained under close control with a temperature between 71-77° Fahrenheit (22-25° C) and the pH should be slightly acidic (6.2-7.2) to preserve the colors of the shrimp and improve the shrimp growth rate. The nitrate and ammonia levels in the CRS tank must be 0, otherwise the shrimp will be very susceptible to disease and even death. Nitrates should be kept below 20 ppm, as close to 0 as possible.

Depending on the distribution of white and red spots, Crystal Red Shrimp are classified into 7 grades, from most desirable to least desirable: SSS, SS, S+, S, A, B, C; SSS has the greatest amount of white color while C is mostly covered in red with little white visible. Red Crystal Shrimp grades are defined only by color streaks, while size, health, lifespan and demands are the same for all grades.

In general, the more white on the body, the higher the grade. Below are the Crystal Red Shrimp grades, from SSS to C.

Crystal Red Shrimp in SSS quality

SSS grade CRS should have at least 75% of body area covered in white. They are alternatively called “Mosura”. Different red patterns on legs, face and antennae can even make a difference between SSS shrimp even when placed one on top of the other. “Flowers” or “crowns” are some of the patterns a Mosura CRS could wear.

SS quality crystal red shrimp

The SS shrimp have an additional red “Hinomaru” – a red circular part on the back that takes its name from the sun on the Japanese flag. The Hinomaru is usually located in the upper middle part of the body. Special variations consist of the “no-entry” hinomaru, represented by a white line over the red spot, and the double hinomaru when there is a second red spot on the crystal red shrimp’s body.

S/S+ grade crystal red shrimp

The S shrimp begin to develop a solid pattern of alternating red and white bands across the body, with more red coloring appearing on the sides. The white stripes are not as solid as the SSS and SS varieties. More solid individuals can be classified as S+ as they are still close to the upper classes. Distinctive features of Grade S and S+ Crystal Red Shrimp may include the V-band and Tiger Tooth.

A class of Crystal Red Shrimp

A Class A CRS can easily be labeled Class S if not carefully observed. The main characteristics of this variety are semi-translucent white areas and the lack of any particular pattern or trait. More opaque specimens can be considered A+ if the coloring is very solid. A-grade Crystal Red Shrimp is inexpensive and could be a good starting point for novice growers.

Class B crystal red shrimp

B-Grade Crystal Red Shrimp may have mixed red and white markings and no complete white band. Their colors are also less solid with more translucent areas than Class A CRS. Class B CRS are also good specimens for beginners, but they can be quite difficult to find as they are considered “ugly” by many breeders.

Class C crystal red shrimp

This variety comes closest to the original Crystal Red Shrimp; There are very few to no white spots and the legs are not colored at all. The Class C CRS body has no particular characteristics and few have attempted to breed fully red CRS as they do not seem to be very popular.

Terminology and Functions

Higher grade crystal red shrimp have distinctive features or patterns that can help identify them:

Crown: A semi-circular red spot that looks like a crown, located on the shrimp’s head; found in SSS grade CRS.

Flower: Flower-shaped pattern on the side of the shrimp head; found in SSS grade shrimp.

Hinomaru/double Hinomaru: Red circles in the middle of the body. Double Hinomaru is the presence of the second red circle on the lower part of the body near the tail; found in SS shrimp.

No entry Hinomaru: A white stripe across the Hinomaru. It looks like the traffic sign for no entry; also found in SS grade Crystal Red Shrimp.

Tiger Tooth: Two downward red dashes with a white “tiger tooth” in between. They are located in the middle red area of ​​the shrimp’s body; can be found on S+ copies.

V-Band: The red area in the middle of the body is shaped as a triangle. This function can be found in the S+ class CRS.

Crystal Red Shrimp Grades are a classification of shrimp based on their appearance only. While most breeders take this into account, hobby breeders prefer healthy individuals with traits that best suit their own tastes. Regardless of the quality you choose, the Crystal Red Shrimp would make a lovely addition to any aquarium.

Today I want to talk about red cherry shrimp grading. In fact, most aquarists don’t even know what kind of cherry shrimp they have in their aquarium. I’ve researched this subject extensively, so I believe this information should help any aquarist determine what type of red cherry shrimp they have. So they are rated from lowest to highest.

The description of the red cherry shrimp refers to the lowest quality shrimp. Next, Sakura Red Cherry Shrimp are a more intense red color. Then we have Fire Red Cherry Shrimp, these shrimp are absolutely red. Painted Fire Red shrimp are completely solid color with no transparent spots. The last is the Blood Mary Shrimp with an extremely deep, intense crimson colouration.

When aquarists began to breed Neocaridina davidi shrimp, it became obvious that this species had a large number of color genes in its composition. Since this selective breeding of the species began, a number of colors have been successfully isolated, with the red color being the first in this lineage.

Note: There are also yellows, greens, oranges, chocolates, blues and even snow-white (snowball shrimp), with all imaginable variations of these species.

Red cherry shrimp (Neocaridina davidi) varieties

Without a doubt, the most important part of shrimp is its color and the Red Cherry shrimp is still the most popular of the color morphs.

Normal red cherry shrimp quality

Common red cherry shrimp vary greatly in color density. Also known as common cherry shrimp, they are the lowest class of Neocaridina davidi. This means they won’t be solid red like the higher quality Sakura Red Cherry Shrimp and Painted Fire Red Cherry Shrimp.

In general, red cherry shrimp tend to be mostly transparent (not white) with some red flecks.

Description:

Red color has a weak density (reddish-transparent). It looks like shrimp are covered in red dots. In some cases, when the dots are close enough together, the color looks reasonably solid. However, if we take a close-up digital photo, we see the “pixelation.” Carapace and ventral segments are mostly transparent with bright red blotches. The legs are also generally colorless. Males are almost completely colorless, but some have a few red spots. Females can have a light, well-defined topline. As with all Neocaridina, the females are more intensely colored than the males.

Sakura Red Cherry Shrimp Grade

The Sakura Red Cherry Shrimp is a higher quality variant of the ordinary Red Cherry Shrimp.

Description:

Red color has more density. However, there are still transparent spots. The pixelation effect is gone. Carapace and ventral segments are mostly red, with the exception of the lower body. Legs can usually have transparent spots that are very mottled or striped. Males can range from regular colorless Red Cherry quality to Sakura Red quality. In female shrimp, the development of the ovaries (a saddle) can still be clearly seen.

Low-grade Red Fire /High-grade Sakura Cherry Shrimp

At this level, the cherry shrimp is almost completely red.

Description:

The intensity of the red color is relatively deep. Despite this, the peel may have a small translucent or orange tint. Carapace and ventral segments are red with some small cracks and holes in carapace and between segments. The legs are mostly red with some light flecks of color. Males are generally lighter than females and have lower color grades. They can range from sakura to almost the same as females. Saddles and eggs are still visible. The carapace may be somewhat translucent so the saddle may still be visible in normal lighting.

Note: Sexing fiery red shrimp becomes difficult in the higher grades as both males and females have the potential to be fully red.

Red Fire Cherry shrimp quality

At this level, the cherry shrimp is completely red. Red Fire shrimp have a very intense red color variant. The females have better color quality than the males.

Description:

The intensity of the red color is very deep. The coloring is very vivid. Carapace and ventral segments are red with no cracks or holes in the body. The legs are also usually colored red. Males are generally lighter than females and have lower color grades. They can range from sakura to almost the same as females. Saddles and eggs are still visible. However, in normal lighting it becomes difficult to see.

Note: Sexing fiery red shrimp becomes difficult in the higher grades as both males and females have the potential to be fully red.

Painted Fire Red Cherry Shrimp Grade

These are some of the most expensive and highest quality red cherry shrimp available. They have a beautiful deep red coloration that helps this little shrimp stand out against any background, plant or substrate in any aquarium. Painted Fire Red Cherry Shrimp are deep red in color with no transparent areas.

Description:

color density. The most opaque and complete coverage of red tints. Carapace and abdominal segments have a very deep red coloration with no clear spots. The legs are completely red. Males can range from Sakura Grade to Painted Fire Grade as male Neocaridina shrimp are simply less colorful than their female counterparts. Saddles and eggs are only visible through the shell under special lighting conditions.

Note: In some cases, the Painted Fire Red females can be closer to a dark chestnut brown. So they could imitate Bloody Mary shrimp. However, color coverage does not usually include the legs, which can be a less vibrant red.

Bloody Mary Shrimp quality

Bloody Mary is one of the latest strains to hit the market from Taiwan. Although still the same species of Red Neocaridina, these shrimp are very different. Unlike all Red Cherry shrimp (which carry their red dye on the shells), Bloody Mary shrimp have semi-transparent shells with a deep red color in their tissues.

Description:

color density. Extremely deep, intense crimson. Carapace and ventral segments are extremely deep red in color with no clear spots. Legs are all red, males are almost as red as the females and some females are truly dark red, almost maroon. Saddles and eggs are only visible through the shell under special lighting conditions.

Note: Information on the origin of Bloody Mary shrimp is conflicting as some breeders claim they are simply red tissue cherry shrimp while other breeders claim true Bloody Mary shrimp were bred from dwarf chocolate sakura shrimp.

Difference Between Bloody Mary and Painted Fire Red Shrimp Grade

Unfortunately we have a lot of confusion regarding Red Cherry Grades. Sometimes, intentionally or not, shrimp farmers sell Painted Fire Red shrimp as Blood Mary. Basically, you never know what you will get from a provider.

To distinguish Bloody Mary and Painted Fire Red you need to use a macro lens. Ideally, shrimp should be placed against something white with plenty of light shining on the shrimp. It shows the transparency of their shell.

I’ve seen on the internet that some shrimp farmers use the shape of the rostrum as a guide to tell the difference between Bloody Mary and Painted Fire Red shrimp.

Well, let me tell you that this is an interesting but very unreliable way because:

Both versions belong to the same species. If we look at other pictures, we also find long rostrum bloody mary shrimp.

My theory regarding these photos will be that it could be due to mutations (inbreeding is the mating of closely related (genetically) shrimp) of this particular line of shrimp. However, we need more information about it anyway.

Kanoko Sakura Red Cherry Shrimp Grade

The word kanoko, meaning “baby deer,” comes from the resemblance to the spots on a baby deer’s back. This shrimp is the darkest color of all red varieties. There are round black spots all over the body of the shrimp. When the females are pregnant, their eggs are black in color.

The main problem seems to be that there are no established populations of them yet. As far as I know, there are only a few shrimp farmers in the world who breed them.

However, this color morph has every chance of becoming a new favorite in this race. Although I think it should be a pattern review.

Red Rili Shrimp (Pattern Grade)

Red rili shrimp are a color morph of cherry shrimp. It was developed around 2010 and was in high demand due to its novel coloring and combination of intense colors and clear parts.

The Red Rili shrimp is a very intense red color variant of the standard Red Cherry shrimp, with both pigmented and (deliberately) unpigmented body parts. Their basic body color is transparent to slightly whitish and they have intense red spots throughout on various parts of their bodies. Overall, females have better color quality than males.

In contrast to the color classification according to red, however, the following applies: the more transparent, the higher the rating of the shrimp.

Note: Some aquarists therefore consider it a pattern rating. Actually, it makes sense (same as Kanoko Sakura Red Cherry Shrimp) in my opinion.

Note #2: Although Red Rili shrimp were bred from cherry shrimp, due to strict selective inbreeding, these shrimp are slightly more sensitive to tank parameters and fluctuations. However, they are still beginner shrimp and easy to care for.

Can I store different types of cherry together?

It depends on your goal. Remember that they all (common cherry, sakura, fire red, painted fire red and bloody mary shrimp, etc.) belong to Neocaridina. Hence, they will multiply and those beautiful, vibrant colors that you like and have paid for and breeders have worked hard to achieve will disappear after some time.

Eventually after a few generations you will end up with wild colored shrimp.

Related articles:

Conclusion

There are different qualities of red cherry shrimp, ranging from a deep dark red to lighter colors, and they are all a product of selective breeding of the cherry shrimp.

Regardless of their classification, the females are the most colorful and are particularly sensitive to the color of the substrate and background.

The higher the grade, the better the color. However, the name itself has little to do with the actual grade. These different shrimp colors are best compared at an aquarium pet store as it is very difficult to compare them online. In person you can see the differences in color.

The color of the dwarf shrimp is one of the most important quality criteria and determines the market price. In shrimp farming, the light shrimp is not a competing product. Therefore, many aquarists ask these simple questions. How to improve shrimp color? Can they improve coloring at all? The answer is yes. It is possible.

The pigment of shrimp depends on feed quality, water quality and stress factors. In addition, environmental factors such as lighting conditions, substrate and background color also influence the color of the shrimp.

In this article I will refer to some biological studies on the subject. You will learn facts about shrimp coloring and some other useful information about the shrimp keeping hobby.

Without further ado, let’s get started.

Pigmentation of dwarf shrimp. astaxanthin.

In order to know how and why it is possible to improve shrimp color, we need to know more about shrimp pigmentation itself.

In shrimp, astaxanthins (a member of the carotenoid family) are the main pigments associated with the external color. These chemical compounds (molecules) are responsible for the yellow, orange, and red colors in many shrimp, and when chemically linked to proteins, they can extend their reflection wavelength to blue, green, brown, black, or purple colors.

Note: In addition to pigmentation, astaxanthins improve survival and serve several other functions in shrimp, such as:

a source of vitamin A;

increase weight gain;

strengthening the immune system;

Ammonia maintains excess and resistance to stress;

improve the digestive system

Worth knowing: According to the study, the pigmentation pattern is most pronounced in the front parts of the body (carapace) of the shrimp. In all of the shrimp, biologists found that the pigments in the carapace were larger and more widely distributed than in the other regions.

Astaxanthin as a coloring agent is important for shrimp and fish, which cannot synthesize coloring agents themselves and therefore rely on supplements to achieve natural pigmentation.

Various experiments have shown that astaxanthin powder enhances any natural color that is already present.

The biologist studied the effect of diet on the pigmentation and growth of red cherry shrimp (Neocaridina davidi). After the 8-week feeding trial, the results showed that the groups fed with astaxanthin had significantly more pigmentation than the shrimp fed without astaxanthin.

Note: In addition, red cherry shrimp fed this component exhibit greater weight gain than shrimp fed diets without this component.

Note #2: Astaxanthin is also a very powerful antioxidant that is added to many foods and supplements for fish, shrimp, and humans.

1. Shrimp food to improve color

So now that we know what lies at the base of shrimp pigmentation. We can use it to our advantage. Color enhancing foods can be a really good tool to enhance the color of your shrimp. It is possible to purchase a range of shrimp foods designed to enhance colour.

Astaxanthin Powder

As I said earlier, astaxanthin (check price on Amazon and here) is an important part of shrimp pigmentation. Having said that, I must emphasize that it can enhance any natural color that is already there. So don’t expect miracles. In some cases, however, these changes can look like such, even if we are talking about the same genetics.

Tip: Don’t add too much. Use a very small amount for your shrimp.

DIY recipe using astaxanthin powder

The recipe is called “Shrimp Kandy Feast” and all credits go to Jayc and Michael Petro.

Ingredients:

1 teaspoon of agar agar powder (2 g).

350ml of water.

Chlorella powder 3 teaspoons.

1 teaspoon of astaxanthin.

Bee pollen 1 teaspoon.

Spirulina 1 teaspoon (optional)

Note: only buy agar that does not contain any other additives such as sugar, flavoring or coloring.

Method:

Put the water and agar agar powder in a saucepan and bring to a boil.

Stir constantly, otherwise the agar will stick to the pot. Keep the heat low to medium.

Heat until all traces of the agar powder are dissolved (about 5 minutes on low heat).

Pour into a flat and shallow container (to make cutting easier later)

Leave to cool for 4-5 minutes.

Crush the bee pollen in a mortar.

Then sprinkle chlorella powder, bee pollen, and astaxanthin into the container. The agar would not have set yet.

Mix all ingredients together.

Leave to set in the fridge for 30 minutes.

Arctic copepod

Arctic Copepods (link to check price on Amazon) has incredibly high levels of carotenoids (astaxanthin, cryptoxanthin, echinenone) that enhance the color of your shrimp. This is an amazing product.

TetraColor®

TetraColor® (link to price query) provides a sufficient amount of carotenoid pigments for the shrimp. Several studies have reported an increase in body coloration of red cherry shrimp with the inclusion of increasing amounts of carotenoids in the shrimp diet. For example, the highest pigmentation tested was 200 mg/kg, while the carotenoid content of the commercial feed used in this post was 382 mg/kg.

Hikari Products

Hikari Shrimp Cuisine, Hikari Micro Wafers, and Hikari Tropical Crab Cuisine (links to check price on Amazon) naturally offer higher levels of color enhancers to help develop true coloring. One of the main components of their diet is astaxanthin. The balanced formulation provides the necessary nutrients that also promote proper tank development.

natural food

According to some research, I quote, “blanched carrots, cucumbers, dried grapes and a mixture of commercial shrimp food have been administered for pigment enhancement and the results have been encouraging”.

2. Dark substrate.

Shrimp keepers have long recognized that black substrate is very important to bring out an intense coloration. At the same time, if you put them back in the tank with a white substrate, the color will fade.

It may sound strange, but this is how they try to camouflage themselves from predators. In shrimp, camouflage is thought to be the primary function of adapting to different habitats and backgrounds, making the animal cryptic to potential predators.

Of course you can call out that they are red (yellow, blue, etc.) and they shine like beacons for the fish! How can they hide?

The point is, shrimp don’t get it. For example, in the wild, Neocaridina is pale brown or muddy brown in color. Shrimp farmers took away this defense mechanism. They changed their colors to red, blue, yellow, etc. However, shrimp act instinctively by enhancing their color.

Biologists found that the total amount of carotenoids (astaxanthins) was higher in shrimp raised in black and red gravel than in white gravel. In addition, shrimp weight gain increased significantly as background color darkness increased. In fact, it may be related to the color that best mimics the species’ natural environment.

3. Background tank color and reflected light

In a further experiment, the 30 shrimp were randomly distributed to 10 tanks (each 10 L) under the lighting conditions of a 65 W fluorescent lamp of daylight color (6500 K).

The results of this study demonstrate that shrimp coloration can be manipulated by changes in reflected light. The red color of the background caused the shrimp to show a more intense red coloration compared to the white ones.

This is a cheap and easy way to improve shrimp coloring. Therefore, it might make sense to sacrifice some system units and adapt them to accommodate specific shrimp species.

Note: The researchers hypothesized that the same end result could be achieved either by using red-emitting light or by adding red filters to white light.

4. Age of dwarf shrimp

The age of the shrimp is another aspect of body coloration. The point is that it changes with age. So don’t judge too soon and don’t kill your shrimp until they are fully grown (or at least a month old). Shrimp do not have intense coloring like adult shrimp. Color changes can last for months!

According to some experiments, body coloration was significantly higher in 180-day-old Red Cherry females than in 90-day-old females, suggesting that female coloration is strongly influenced by age. For example, staining was 68.85% more intense in 180-day-old females than in 90-day-old females.

But what about men you may ask?

Biologists observed a slight increase in male coloration over time, although it was always less compared to females of the same age. The authors believed that pigment accumulation was less because adult males of these species, as well as Neocaridina davidi, are smaller and less colored than females of the same age.

5. Stress and water quality

Stressed dwarf shrimp can temporarily lose their color. In fact, stress can create legitimate and very devastating health problems for your shrimp. Because when the shrimp are stressed for a long period of time it can actually cause them to break down and get diseases and succumb to things that they could normally fight off with their immune systems.

Therefore, hiding places or caves in the aquarium can also affect the color intensity of your shrimp. When shrimp feel safe in their environment, they have the best chance of developing a really intense, beautiful coloration.

In addition, shrimp are very social. They will never develop their full color intensity potential unless kept in groups where they can interact and feel safe with other individuals of their kind.

Last but not least, any shrimp or fish will look beautiful and healthy when they meet their optimal care requirements. Therefore, pay attention to your water quality (PH, GH, KH, TDS, nitrate, copper, etc.).

Conclusion

Intense color is the most desirable trait for the shrimp hobby and defines its commercial value. Color is a fundamental part of the price tag, and poorly colored shrimp command a lower price, reducing competitiveness.

Therefore, selective breeding of intensely colored morphs, usually favored by aquarists, is preferred to collection of wild specimens.

Although it is known that shrimp coloration is influenced by many factors. We can also influence and improve it by following simple rules.

Offer the shrimp enough special food. Feed your shrimp natural food. Use a dark substrate and background in your shrimp tank. let them age The older the shrimp are, the more colorful they become. Keep in mind that female coloration can be almost 70% higher in 180-day-old women than in 90-day-old women. Keep them in good water condition. Don’t let them stress you out.

References:

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Something else

Dwarf freshwater shrimp are gaining popularity as algae eaters, general scavengers and for many aquarists an interesting addition to desktop ‘nano’ aquariums and natural plant habitats. From the common ghost shrimp (Palaemonetes paludosus), typically sold as feeder shrimp, to the well-known amano or algae-eating shrimp (Caridina multidentata), to the popular red cherry shrimp (Neocaridina heteropoda), to crystal and bee shrimp (Caridina cantonensis) to the filter-eating bamboo shrimp (Atyopsis moluccensis), the list of shrimp for aquarists to consider keeps growing. Regardless of budget or experience level, dwarf freshwater shrimp offer something unique and truly different for aquarists with small to medium sized aquariums.

Natural habitat for freshwater shrimp

Dwarf freshwater shrimp are gaining popularity as algae eaters, general scavengers and for many aquarists an interesting addition to desktop ‘nano’ aquariums and natural plant habitats. From the common ghost shrimp (Palaemonetes paludosus), typically sold as feeder shrimp, to the well-known amano or algae-eating shrimp (Caridina multidentata), to the popular red cherry shrimp (Neocaridina heteropoda), to crystal and bee shrimp (Caridina cantonensis) to the filter-eating bamboo shrimp (Atyopsis moluccensis), the list of shrimp for aquarists to consider keeps growing. Regardless of budget or experience level, dwarf freshwater shrimp offer something unique and truly different for aquarists with small to medium sized aquariums.

Water requirements for freshwater shrimp

Water requirements for freshwater dwarf shrimp vary by species, with ammonia and nitrites always being undetectable and nitrates being below 10 ppm. Ghost shrimp, as well as Amano and Bamboo shrimp, aren’t particularly keen on pH or alkalinity as long as extremes are avoided and can be kept in dechlorinated tap water. The same goes for red cherry shrimp. Most crystal and bee shrimp require soft water with low pH, while Sulawesi Caridina shrimp require higher pH and alkalinity, as well as higher temperatures. It is best to research the water requirements of the species you intend to keep before purchasing. When using herbal supplements or medication, avoid products containing copper as they are toxic to freshwater shrimp. Maintain good filtration and perform a 10% to 20% water change every week using an Aqueon aquarium water changer or siphon vacuum gravel cleaner. For soft water types, use reverse osmosis or deionized water supplemented with Aqueon Water Renewal. Don’t forget to treat tap water with Aqueon Water Conditioner before refilling your aquarium!

Husbandry requirements for freshwater shrimp

Larger species such as ghost, amano, and bamboo shrimp can be kept in aquariums from 10 to 55 gallons, while red cherry, crystal, and bee shrimp are better suited to aquariums of 10 gallons or less. If using a hang-on (HOB) or canister filter, slide a sponge pre-filter over the inlet screen to prevent shrimp from being sucked into the filter. Dedicated shrimp farmers typically use air-powered sponge filters. Living plants are recommended, especially species such as java moss or najas. The substrate should be pH neutral (inert) or an aquatic plant medium. There are a number of substrate materials that have been specially developed for keeping freshwater shrimp. Mature aquariums are preferred as they are more stable and provide natural food sources for shrimp; Never put dwarf freshwater shrimp in a newly set up aquarium!

Behavior/compatibility of freshwater shrimp

Dwarf freshwater shrimp are active and almost always busy harvesting algae or other food sources. Most species remain relatively small and are therefore vulnerable to predation by larger fish. Many shrimp enthusiasts set up dedicated shrimp aquariums with no fish at all, however, some species of freshwater shrimp can be kept with small, non-aggressive, non-predatory fish such as:

Emerald dwarf rasbora

Borara’s danios

Heavenly Danios

Ember Tetra

Endler’s livebearer

Sparkling gouramis

Blue-Eyed Rainbow Fish

Otocinclus

Pygmy corydoras catfish

Dwarf freshwater shrimp can also be kept with nerite and other snail species. Avoid mixing different species of the same genus of freshwater shrimp in the same aquarium to avoid crossbreeding. In other words, don’t keep two different species of Neocaridina together, you can mix a Neocaridina with a Caridina.

What do freshwater shrimp eat?

Dwarf freshwater shrimp are mostly algae eaters, but will eagerly accept practically any food that is offered. Withholding food one day a week will help clear out their digestive system and encourage them to clean out more tanks. Bamboo shrimp are filter feeders that like to sit in a current, trapping microorganisms and fine particles such as ground flakes or pelleted food on their fans. Dwarf freshwater shrimp can be fed Aqueon Tropical Flakes, Spirulina Flakes, Alga Rounds, Shrimp Pellets, Bottom Feeder Tablets, Tropical Color Flakes and Tropical Granules. For best results, rotate their diet daily and only feed what they can consume in 2 to 3 minutes, once or twice a day.

Freshwater Shrimp Farming – Easy to Difficult

Many dwarf freshwater shrimp breed easily in captivity, but success varies from species to species. Red cherry shrimp and certain other Neocaridina, for example, can quickly develop into large colonies without the help of the aquarist. Crystal and Bee shrimp are a bit more difficult, while others, like Amano shrimp, are almost impossible as they require brackish water to breed successfully. Research should be done before any breed is attempted.

Some of the most common questions we receive at The Shrimp Farm are:

* How are the shrimp packed?

* Will you include a hot/cold pack? Do you charge for hot/cold packs?

* Can shrimp survive that long during transit?

Below you will find the answers to these questions as well as other frequently asked questions. If you don’t see the answer to your question, send us a quick email and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible. Customer Service Email

winter shipping

We take great pride in getting your shrimp to you not only on time, but as safely as possible. So if the temperature is in a certain cold range, we always include a heat pack at no extra charge.

During the winter months we use up to two types of insulation (loose insulation and/or a styrofoam liner). This method has allowed us to send shrimp to areas in the US where overnight lows have been in the single digits. This styrofoam inner liner matches our cardboard outer liners and seals extremely well with a unique (almost airtight) seal that uses a special lap joint design….drastically reducing the effects of outside temperatures.

shipping in summer

The Shrimp Farm successfully ships our aquarium shrimp in temperatures as high as 100°F. Along with cold packs, we use the same unique molded Styrofoam shipping container mentioned above. This special styrofoam box seals very well and drastically reduces the influence of outside temperatures. This method allows us to get your shrimp to their destination alive and healthy!

In the rare event that you have a DOA, simply follow our Live Arrival Guarantee instructions and we’ll be happy to take care of you.

How many shrimp can I put in my aquarium?

You can have up to 10 dwarf shrimp per 1 gallon of water. For example: A 10 gallon aquarium COULD house up to 100 dwarf shrimp. However, a good starting point might be 5 shrimp per 1 gallon of water.

What is a dwarf shrimp?

A dwarf shrimp is (in the sense of this website) a freshwater aquarium shrimp. They are mostly Caridina or Neocaridina spp.

How much tank do dwarf shrimp need?

Most dwarf shrimp do not require much space. A 5 gallon aquarium is about all that is needed as long as the tank has adequate filtration and water changes are done once a week.

What kind of filter should I use?

A sponge filter is the best filter for a shrimp-only aquarium. Another good option is a corner box filter. Most heavy duty filters will suck smaller shrimp into the filter and kill them, so they are not recommended.

How long will dwarf shrimp live?

Most dwarf shrimp live between 1.5 and 3 years. There are some very long-lived shrimp, such as the ope ula (Hawaiian red shrimp). This shrimp can live for over 20 years in captivity.

How big do dwarf shrimp get?

Most dwarf shrimp stay between 1.5 and 2.5 inches long. There are some species that grow larger and some smaller species. Many Macrobrachium species can grow very large and are not suitable for aquarium life.

How can I get my shrimp to hatch?

As long as there is both a male and a female in an aquarium with suitable water parameters, most dwarf shrimp will reproduce naturally. The female carries the eggs under her tail until they hatch. Many species hatch as smaller versions of their adult parents, and some go through many larval stages that require seawater to survive.

How can I tell a male from a female?

Most dwarf shrimp species are fairly easy to tell apart. The female is usually larger and more colorful. Species where the male is just as colorful can be identified by the fact that the female is slightly larger when fully grown and also has a broader and more rounded tail.

How do I raise the boys?

If the young shrimp is a miniature version of the adult shrimp, they don’t need any special attention. They eat the same foods as adults and have the same water requirements. If the young are in larval stages (like Amano shrimp), rearing the young is much more difficult. Read the Amano Shrimp profile to get an idea.

Do dwarf shrimp eat their young?

Most types of dwarf shrimp do not eat their young.

What do dwarf shrimp eat?

Most dwarf shrimp are omnivores. They will eat almost anything edible in the aquarium. Many of the shrimp eat the algae naturally found in aquariums. Sinking pellets and blanched (soft-boiled) vegetables are also good food for dwarf shrimp.

Can I keep fish with my dwarf shrimp?

Many fish make a quick meal out of dwarf shrimp. If the shrimp can fit in the fish’s mouth, chances are the fish will eat the shrimp. There are a few peaceful smallmouths that work well with shrimp, such as neon tetras, cardinal tetras, endlers livebearers, and smaller danios. If you plan to breed dwarf shrimp and raise the young, it is not advisable to have fish in the aquarium with the shrimp.

List of recommended fish

Will different shrimp species breed together?

Yes, most Neocaridina species breed with other Neocaridina species and many Caridina species breed with other Caridina species. Neocaridina species do not breed with Caridina species. It is not recommended to keep species that can interbreed with each other. Compatibility Chart

Freshwater shrimp are also becoming an extremely popular choice for beginners. These small invertebrates make a colorful and interesting addition to many home aquariums. However, any temptation to keep and mix different colored shrimp should be treated with extreme caution.

So what is the main problem?

Mixing shrimp of different colors will definitely turn a beautiful color into a wild type color. Basically, your shrimp will lose their color. Unfortunately, this is one of the main problems that shrimp farmers face.

As such, it is highly recommended that you stick to a specific species (and color) that you wish to keep and breed.

What are wild type shrimp?

Did you know that most shrimp species do not have bright and beautiful colors in nature? Do you know why?

The answer is actually pretty simple.

Bright colors aren’t effective when you need to hide most of the time. Each shrimp with vibrant colors will shine like a beacon for any predator fish. It can be particularly dangerous during moulting when they are weak and slow.

Evolution is about passing the genome on to the next generation. Shrimp that are most effective at hiding from predators live the longest and have a better chance of reproducing.

Because shrimp are at the bottom of the food chain, they have evolved inconspicuous colors. It helps them avoid unwanted attention by mimicking their surroundings.

What do wild type shrimp look like?

In general, wild-type shrimp are semi-transparent to brown or greenish-brown. They don’t have a specific pattern.

In fact, wild-type shrimp can be quite attractive in their own right.

Why is mixing shrimp of different colors bad?

As I said earlier, mixing different colored shrimp is not a good idea. Even if the results don’t appear immediately, they will definitely come.

Initially or in a few generations you will get some dodgy, unstable and strange colors. After this, your shrimp will start to “lose” their color and revert to their wild color.

What happens if I mix different colored shrimp?

According to the basic laws of inheritance, the next generation of shrimp inherits one genetic allele from each parent. Different gene combinations result in different dominant/recessive ratios in the offspring.

In simple terms, wild-type colors are dominant (stronger) and all other colors are recessive (weaker).

Because of this, the dominant color in shrimp will be more and more pronounced.

Note: if we look at crystal red shrimp and crystal black shrimp for example, we see that black color is dominant and red color is recessive.

Can I change the wild type color to the normal color?

Yes, it’s possible… It’s also one of the reasons that makes dwarf shrimp exceptional pets.

However, I have to say it right at the start, it will also take a lot of dedicated work!

To do this, you need to start culling (or selectively breeding) shrimp. Culling is the process of removing or separating shrimp from a breeding stock based on a specific trait.

This is done to enhance and exaggerate desirable traits or to remove and diminish undesirable traits.

When we talk about genes, no one can guarantee you how much time it will take. Even if most dwarf shrimp species reproduce quickly, you have to be prepared for months or even years of hard work.

For this reason, an absolute majority of hobbyists should never mix different colored shrimp. Unless they’re doing it as a personal challenge, to show off their skills, or out of curiosity.

For more information, see my article “Culling Shrimp. Selective Breeding”.

Can you keep different types of shrimp together?

The shrimp taxonomy is not fully understood. Every now and then we see some changes in the classification. It also adds some problems for our hobby.

Some articles state that you can keep different types of shrimp together. Well, that’s not true. DO NOT keep different species of the same genus of freshwater shrimp.

You can keep some species together, for example:

These species will not interbreed or interbreed with other Caridina species. However, be very careful with other species and do your research beforehand.

The same applies in principle to Neocaridina species. In many cases they can just be a color variation of the same species.

For example, the most popular Neocaridina shrimp (Red Cherry Shrimp) has many pattern and color morphs:

cherry shrimp,

sakura shrimp,

crimson shrimp,

Painted fiery red shrimp

Blood mary shrimp

Kanoko shrimp

neon yellow shrimp,

blue velvet shrimp,

sapphire shrimp,

blue diamond shrimp,

black diamond shrimp,

black rose shrimp,

orange sakura shrimp,

green jade shrimp,

rili shrimp prawns,

snowball shrimp etc.

All of these species belong to the genus Neocaridina and can interbreed.

Another problem is that sometimes it can be really hard to “tell the difference between Neocaridina and Caridina shrimp”.

Finally

Keeping and breeding dwarf shrimp is a really interesting and rewarding experience.

In nature, most species of shrimp do not have bright and beautiful colors.

Almost all shrimps with beautiful coloring are artificially bred.

Selective breeding (culling) is possible. And probably the most important factor is patience.

(Good) Different genera do not interbreed and can safely be kept together. So you can mix a Neocaridina with a Caridina species.

(Bad) shrimp taxonomy changes from time to time. So we cannot be absolutely sure that this or that species will not be moved to another genus.

Do your research before purchasing a new species of shrimp, as mixing different colored shrimp will definitely change their color to a wild-type variation.

Related articles:

FAQ

Which shrimp do not crossbreed?

Neocaridina, Caridina, Palaemonetes and Atyopsys species do not interbreed at the genus level. Therefore, they can be safely housed together. For example, red cherry shrimp (Neocaridina davidi), crystal red shrimp (Caridina cantonensis), ghost shrimp (Palaemonetes paludosus), and bamboo shrimp (Atyopsis moluccensis) have different genera, so they don’t interbreed.

Which shrimp can breed together?

In general, many different species of shrimp can interbreed within the same genus and produce healthy and fertile offspring. They are often referred to as intraspecific hybrids, crossbreeds or mixed breed shrimp.

What is a hybrid shrimp?

Mischling is a German word for “crossbreed shrimp”. It is an intraspecific hybrid between crystal shrimp and Taiwan bee shrimp. These hybrids are hardier and cheaper than their parents. In addition, they have a high chance of producing good quality Taiwan Bee Shrimp.

Can you mix blue and red shrimp?

It depends on the genus and species of shrimp. Shrimp of the same genus and species are likely to interbreed. So you need to know which species they belong to.

Are there shrimp species within the same genus that do not interbreed?

Yes, there are some types of shrimp that do not interbreed. Species of the genus Caridina such as Amano shrimp (Caridina multidentata), Cardinal shrimp (Caridina dennerli), Red-nosed shrimp (Caridina gracilirostris), Malawa shrimp (Caridina pareparensis, Caridina parvidentata) will not interbreed.

Common Name: Crystal Red Shrimp, CRS, Bee Shrimp,

Caridina Cantonensis

Care: Medium – Difficult

Temperature range: 64-76 F

pH: 6.0-7.5

TDS: 100-200ppm

GH: 4 – 6 dGH

CH: 0 – 2 dCH

Lifespan: 1 – 2 years

Size: 0.75 – 1.25″

Diet: Omnivore

Habitat: Freshwater, fully aquatic

Breeding: Easy

Gestation period: 30 days

Our water parameters:

Temperature range: 68-76 F

pH: 6.0-6.5

TDS:100-150

GH: 3 – 5

CH: 0 – 2

Size: .75 – .95″

tank raised

To ensure live arrival, free shipping does not apply to shrimp orders shipped via Fedex Overnight. In order to get a refund for DOA, please send us a photo of the dead shrimp in its original packaging within two hours after the package was delivered, where the dead shrimp can be clearly seen.

*To increase survival rates, please allow us 2-3 business days to prepare your shrimp shipment.

*Some shrimp ship from our Northern California facility.

The Crystal Red Shrimp is one of the most popular and sought after shrimp for the hobbyist due to their bold, unique coloring and the challenge of breeding them. Crystal Red Shrimp requires very specific water parameters and near perfect water quality. Because of their precise care needs, they are ideally kept in a Crystal Red Shrimp-only aquarium. However, they are non-aggressive and active shrimp. These shrimp are not recommended for beginners, especially since the high price and the difficult care requirements leave little room for error. However, with a little experience, these gorgeous shrimp are worth the extra effort.

The Crystal Red Shrimp originated in Japan, where shrimp hobbyist Hisayasu Sukzuki bred it from Bee Shrimp in 1996. Years of inbreeding to achieve the most desirable colors and patterns explains the fragility of this species. Crystal Red Shrimp displays a variety of markings. There is an intricate grading system for these shrimp that includes the many different color patterns possible. In general, a more opaque white coloration is considered most desirable. The class “SSS” shrimp has an opaque white body with red “flower” or “crown” patterns on the head/torso of the shrimp. The “SS” grade shrimp has more red throughout the body, especially on the back of the shrimp. The SS grade is usually awarded when a “Hinomaru” pattern is present. The Hinomaru pattern is a red dot in the center of the shrimp’s white back, symbolizing the Japanese flag. A “No-Entry Hinomaru” is a white stripe that invades the Hinomaru pattern, similar to a No-Entry road sign. There may also be a “Double Hinomaru” pattern where there is another red dot near the shrimp’s tail. “S” grade crystal red shrimp are redder in color and must have opacity in both the red and white coloration. It is typical to see distinct bands of color with this variety. The number of bands, such as “Three White Band” or “Four White Band”, distinguishes these patterns. Other patterns such as “V-Band” or “Tiger Tooth” are considered desirable and can upgrade the shrimp’s rating to “S+”. Class “A” shrimp may appear very similar to class “S”; They show noticeable banding, but are downgraded to an “A” rating because of the transparency of their coloring. Class “A” shrimp are less expensive and therefore more suitable for beginners to keep Crystal Red Shrimp. Class “B” shrimp show indistinct patterns of red and white and are predominantly red with opacity throughout. Class “C” crystal red shrimp were the first species of these shrimp to appear. They are almost entirely red with small white spots or streaks and cloudiness on the legs and abdomen. Keep in mind that these shrimp are more fragile at higher grades and can lose their opacity as their water conditions change. Therefore, it can be a good idea to buy young shrimp so that their color develops fully once they have become accustomed to your aquarium.

Crystal Red Shrimp sexing can be a little tricky until the shrimp start to mature. Female shrimp have slightly larger tails and display a “saddle” formation on the torso behind the head where the eggs are stored prior to fertilization. When female shrimp are “berry” or have eggs ready to be fertilized, the saddle shape will be more prominent. Once the shrimp are fully grown, the males are smaller than the females.

Crystal Red Shrimp needs very specific water parameters and extremely clean water. These shrimp prefer soft, acidic water conditions. Your ideal temperature range is 70°-78° F. Your water should be slightly acidic, with a pH of 6.2-7.2. Ammonia and nitrite levels must be 0 ppm and nitrate levels as close to 0 ppm as possible (no more than 20 ppm). There are many products on the market designed to buffer your water to maintain healthy parameters for your Crystal Red Shrimp. The water should be changed at least 30% every week and be sure to dechlorinate the water before adding it to the aquarium. These shrimp are very sensitive to water changes, so frequent, low-volume changes are preferable to infrequent, high-volume changes. Especially in higher qualities, these shrimp are extremely sensitive and should be handled with care.

Crystal Red Shrimp are omnivores and require a balanced diet. Special food for Crystal Red Shrimp helps keep their coloring vibrant. Other food options include seaweed flakes, blanched vegetables, and mosquito larvae. Feeding once a day or even every other day should be sufficient, especially if you have a mature plant tank with lots of plant debris, algae and biofilm that the shrimp need to clean up. Be sure to remove any excess food left after feeding as this can increase ammonia and nitrite levels. Excess food means the shrimp are being overfed, which can damage their health and even kill them. If your shrimp skin their shells, make sure to leave the shells in the tank. They provide the necessary calcium in the diet of the shrimp.

Crystal red shrimp are easy breeders given the right water parameters. Crystal Red Shrimp Fry need places to hide in the tank and potential predators can prevent these shrimp from breeding in the first place. The baby shrimp hatch as mini versions of their parents, ready to munch on seaweed and other food sources. However, you cannot classify them until they get bigger. Because breeding is selective, it is possible to breed two low-quality shrimp to produce a few high-quality shrimp. Successfully breeding high quality Crystal Red Shrimp can be a lucrative hobby as these creatures are highly valued in the shrimp hobby.

Crystal Red Shrimp makes an impressive addition to the aquarium of any seasoned shrimp enthusiast. If you’re looking for a bigger challenge than red cherry shrimp, Crystal Red Shrimp are a great place to start. Although these shrimp require more care and attention, keeping these stunning and active shrimp can be extremely rewarding.

Crystal red shrimp are a beautiful species of bee shrimp.

Their defining feature is their stunning red and white striped pattern.

They also make wonderful algae cleaners!

However, caring for this animal comes with some challenges.

If you were intrigued by the Crystal Red Shrimp, read on to find out everything you need to know about them…

Crystal Red Shrimp Other Common Names: Bee Shrimp Scientific Name: Caridina cantonensis Family Name: Atyidae Distribution: Captive Size: 1-1.5 inches Color: Red and white Care Level: Advanced Temperament: Peaceful Lifespan: 1-2 years Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons Tank Mate Compatibility: Nano Fish and Small Invertebrates

What is a crystal red shrimp?

The Crystal Red Shrimp is a color morph of the Bee Shrimp (Caridina cantonensis).

They come from the Atyidae family and this particular color is only found in aquariums and shrimp farms.

Crystal Red Shrimp can only be made by crossing certain varieties of Red Bee Shrimp. Due to their highly specialized breeding process, this color morph is rather difficult to find. Interestingly, they are often confused with cherry shrimp. This can be dangerous as Crystal Reds have sensitivities that Cherry Shrimp does not.

This dwarf shrimp grows to just over an inch long and has a very short lifespan of up to 2 years.

They are usually sold in groups of 5 or 6 and the price depends on the color quality – $6 to $10 is the typical average price per shrimp.

Important facts:

Required Experience: Husbandry of Invertebrates

Nicknames for invertebrates: Bee Shrimp

Bee Shrimp Color Forms: Red and White

Red and White Size: 1-1.5 inch

1-1.5 inch tank size: 10+ gallons

10+ gallon tank temperature: 71-75°F

Appearance of the crystal red shrimp

A bee shrimp must be red and white to be considered crystal red.

Red can appear in speckles, bands, or very light patches against the white base. Some shrimp are more red than white, while others are more white than red.

Crystal red shrimp are about 1 inch long, with some larger specimens reaching as little as 1.5 inches.

All shrimp are decapods with five pairs of walking legs attached to their cephalothorax and five pairs of swimming legs attached to their abdomen.

Each abdominal segment houses a pair of legs.

The first two walking legs are called chelipeds. They end in tiny claws used for digging and holding food. The segmented abdomen ends in a telson, or tail, complete with a fan-shaped appendage called the uropod. The uropod allows the shrimp to swim backwards.

Their cephalothorax is protected by a thick shell called carapace, which holds the walking legs and all of the head’s appendages.

Two red beady eyes protrude outward from the head, flanked on either side by filiform antennae and thicker antennae.

The mouth has a lower jaw with special appendages called maxillipeds. These function almost like a tongue, guiding food into the shrimp’s mouth.

It is very easy to tell the difference between the males and the females.

Males are small, thin, and rather dull in color. Female shrimp are much larger and rounder, and are also much lighter in color.

Grades

You can only find Crystal Red Shrimp in red and white.

The different grades are as follows:

SSS Grade: A shrimp must be at least 75% white to be classified as SSS grade. Red only appears in small spots on the belly and carapace.

A shrimp must be at least 75% white to be classified as SSS grade. Red only appears in small spots on the belly and carapace. SS Grade: The head and tail are both completely white with red bands or spots along the belly and lower part of the carapace.

The head and tail are both entirely white with red bands or spots along the belly and lower part of the carapace. S+ Class: The carapace of an S+ class individual is entirely red. Translucent white stripes appear along a white or faded red belly.

The carapace of an S+ class individual is entirely red. Translucent white stripes appear along a white or faded red belly. S Class: An S Class specimen features a red carapace and white belly with red bands down the side of the body. It is considered a beginner class because it is the easiest to get to.

An S-class specimen has a red carapace and white belly with red bands down the side of the body. It is considered a beginner class because it is the easiest to get to. Class A: A Class A shrimp is at least 75% red, with very thin white bands or spots.

Crystal Red Shrimp Care Instructions

Caring for Crystal Red Shrimp is a little different than caring for other shrimp.

Their sensitivity to water parameters makes them more of a challenge for beginners.

While other shrimp can handle some dirt in the tank, these shrimp cannot. They have very little tolerance for common rookie mistakes and are also more difficult to get used to in a new tank.

If you already have experience with other bee shrimp varieties, you will find it easier to care for these shrimp.

These shrimp need a pristine and well-oxygenated tank with no temperature fluctuations or other parameters. The tank needs to be completely flushed and free of any extra nitrogen before adding your shrimp.

Keep an eye on your dissolved oxygen as low DO can be deadly. You can purchase oxygen monitoring tools and kits from an aquarium supplier. A sharp increase in temperature can deprive the water of oxygen, as can algae growth and too much CO2.

In addition, your tank must be completely free of copper and zinc. If you use fertilizer for your plants, it must be free of copper and additional CO2.

New shrimp should be quarantined for at least a week before adding them to your tank. You should also quarantine any new fish as they could carry harmful bacteria and parasites.

tank requirements

Crystal Red Shrimp requires at least a 10 gallon aquarium.

You should keep the water temperature between 70 and 75°F, but most importantly, the water should be well oxygenated.

The water hardness should be between 4-6 dGH and the pH between 6.5 and 7.0.

While you can use an air pump, these tend to create currents that can create unsafe conditions. Air stones, along with large leafy plants, are a much safer way to oxygenate your water.

A hang-up filter also adds extra oxygen in the form of bubbles created by the filter.

The flow in your tank should be kept to an absolute minimum.

You should use at least a moderate light intensity to stimulate algae production in your aquarium. However, do not use so much light that the algae grow uncontrollably.

Since your shrimp will spend most of their time on the substrate, you should use soft and fine gravel that cannot cut or injure them.

You can also add some underwater plants to support algae growth.

Java Moss is one of the best for this type of tank.

Marimo Balls serve as additional food for algae-loving shrimp. They can also be used to climb on or hide behind.

Add some water wisteria, hygrophila, or other large-leaved plants to give your water column some extra oxygen.

Tank Parameter Requirements Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons Tank Type: Freshwater Planted Temperature: 71-75°F pH: 6.5-7.0 Hardness: 4-6 dGH Flow: No Substrate: Soft gravel

What size aquarium do you need?

Crystal Red Shrimp must be kept in an aquarium of at least 10 gallons.

This aquarium size is ideal for 5 shrimp.

A 20 gallon tank can hold up to 10 shrimp.

nutrition and feeding

Crystal red shrimp are omnivores, but the majority of their diet comes from algae and green bacteria. They also eat biofilm, particulate matter, and tiny live prey.

When kept in an aquarium, they usually find their own food.

All aquariums have some concentration of algae and microbes that your shrimp will seek out on the bottom. They also pick microscopic pieces of prey from moss and other plants.

The most important thing with these shrimp is not to overfeed them.

They need a lot less outside food than you might think.

When your aquarium is low on naturally generated microbes, you can purchase bacterial cultures for your shrimp. You can also buy daphnia, saltwater crab larvae, and other small live prey items.

Microworms are a great source of protein and also give the shrimp the ability to hunt for live prey.

Algae flakes and commercial shrimp food should be given in very small amounts in crushed powder – half an algae tablet at a time.

Give outside food only once every 3 days. The rest of the time you should let your shrimp forage for their own food.

Tankmates for crystal red shrimp

The biggest challenge for aquarium mates is finding fish that aren’t snacking on Crystal Red Shrimp.

You can safely keep them with conspecifics and other small invertebrates. However, there are ways to safely incorporate them into an aquarium as well.

Only use fish that are too small to get the shrimp in their mouths.

zebrafish, harlequin or chilli rasboras and cardinal or neon tetras.

Guppies are another great option since they are so tiny. A couple of colorful guppies next to your shrimp make a nice aquarium.

If you want to include other bottom dwellers, opt for oto or cory catfish.

However, remember that these shrimp are always breeding and even nano fish will eat the fry. Because of this, most keepers avoid mating them with any type of fish.

The best tankmates are other invertebrates that are similar in size. These include other dwarf shrimp, bamboo shrimp, amano shrimp, and cherry shrimp.

Nerite and Assassin Snails are also safe.

Holding crystal red shrimp with red cherry shrimp

You can keep Crystal Red Shrimp and Red Cherry Shrimp in the same tank.

The two species have similar diets, so they often choose the same feeding sites. Together they can be very helpful in cleaning your tank and controlling algae growth.

Their colors complement each other really well too (especially if you opt for bright red cherry shrimp).

Just keep in mind that cherry shrimp are much hardier, so you need to design your aquarium around Crystal Red’s sensitivities.

you stick together?

Crystal red shrimp do very well in groups.

If they live together, they will feed and eat together. A group can also share the same hideout or moss cover.

If you keep them in a mixed-gender group, expect more of them to appear over time.

Crystal red shrimp farm and eggs

If you have a mixed group of males and females, your shrimp will easily breed on their own.

However, this can be risky if you are running a community tank as the fish will prey on the juveniles.

For safe breeding, you should use a spawning and rearing tank lined with java moss or hairgrass. The temperature should remain at 75°F until spawning.

Male shrimp climb under the female to mate.

Once the eggs are produced, the female carries them in her rearmost pair of swimming legs. You should lower the temperature to below 24°C once she has spawned.

Females can carry between 30 and 50 eggs at a time, but unfortunately only a few survive.

After about a month, the eggs hatch into tiny versions of their parents. At this point, the parents should be removed.

Young shrimp find their food on their own and usually do not need anything else. But if you want to give them a little extra, you can grind shrimp flakes into a fine powder.

The juveniles go through several moults before they are fully grown. After each moult, their colors look brighter and more solid. It takes about 4 months for the shrimp to mature, after which they can be sorted accurately.

How often do they breed?

These shrimp do not have a set breeding season.

They tend to breed in 5-6 week cycles.

Crystal Red Shrimp will spawn every month and it will take another month for the eggs to hatch.

If you’re not prepared, you can end up with a lot more than you bargained for.

To avoid overcrowding your aquarium, you should make sure that all shrimp in your group are of the same sex. If you intend to breed your shrimp, you must always have a separate tank ready to raise the young. Expect a new group of up to 30 shrimp each month.

Typical behavior

These little guys are always on the lowest levels of the tank and cannot climb higher. Like most small invertebrates, they are typically active from dusk to dawn.

Unfortunately, you don’t get to see them often throughout the day. They spend most of their time hiding and really only come out to eat.

When they come out, they’re surprisingly social little shrimp.

They get along very well in groups and will participate in feeding and scavenging together.

If a certain spot in your tank is filled with good snacking food, then expect all of your Crystal Red Shrimp to be in that one spot.

You can expect them to fall off about once a month. During this time, they want to be out of sight as much as possible.

Advantages and disadvantages

Wonderful algae cleaner

Friendly in nano tanks

Breeds quickly and easily

Eye-Catching Colors

Gets along well with other invertebrates. Requires very specific aquarium conditions

Can quickly overpopulate a tank

More susceptible to disease than other shrimp

species history

The Crystal Red Shrimp is an artificial variant of the Bee Shrimp (a freshwater shrimp from China and Taiwan).

Bee shrimp were first discovered in the 1930s.

About 20-30 years later, people started growing them for ornamental purposes.

However, it wasn’t until the 1990s that the very first Crystal Reds were bred.

Hisayasu Suzuki in Japan was the first to breed them and they were the result of a random cross between different variations of Red Bee Shrimp.

Years of careful selective breeding produced a marketable population by 1999. By the early 2000s, the Morph had established itself in freshwater aquariums around the world.

Other breeders began mating existing Crystal Reds to create the different color grades and this created even more variation.

Thus, the species became one of the most popular additions to the invertebrate keeping hobby.

Should You Get Crystal Red Shrimp? (Summary)

It’s hard not to love the Crystal Red Shrimp.

This peaceful animal works just as well in a community as it does among its own kind.

The helpful little tank cleaner nips algae in the bud before it gets a chance to take over the aquarium.

Although they are tiny, they are exceptional eye-catchers. When grouped in groups, they immediately draw attention to your lower levels.

If you can learn to breed them by class, you can even make a small profit by selling them.

Have you ever managed to raise high quality Crystal Red Shrimp? Let us know in the comments section below…