Moderate

Red Crystal Shrimp

By The Aquarium Calculators Editorial Team ·

Caridina cantonensis

Complete Red Crystal Shrimp care guide covering omnivore diet requirements, peaceful temperament, minimum 10 Gallons tank setup, and compatible freshwater tankmates. Difficulty: Moderate.

Red Crystal Shrimp

Quick Answer

Red Crystal Shrimp (Caridina cantonensis) is a popular dwarf shrimp with beautiful red and white stripes. It requires a minimum 10 Gallons aquarium with a pH of 6.0 - 7.0 and temperature range of 22-24°C. This omnivore occupies the bottom zone and makes an excellent addition to community setups.

Intro

Red Crystal Shrimp (Caridina cantonensis) is a popular dwarf shrimp with beautiful red and white stripes. They require more specific water parameters than Cherry Shrimp.

Setup

A 10-gallon or larger planted tank with fine substrate (active soil like ADA Amazonia), driftwood, and moss. Soft, slightly acidic water with low TDS.

Feeding

Omnivorous; eats biofilm, algae, shrimp-specific pellets, blanched vegetables, and occasional protein.

Compatibility

Very peaceful. Keep only with other small, non-predatory inhabitants. Ideal tankmates: small rasboras, Otocinclus, snails. Avoid all fish that might eat shrimp (most tetras, cichlids).

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Tank Position
Bottom
Water Temp
22-24°C
Adult Size
See profile
Water pH
6.0 - 7.0

Species Characteristics

Adult Size
Lifespan
Growth Rate
moderate
Tank Compatibility
Community compatible
Indoor Aquarium
Yes

Water Parameters

Water Temperature
Humidity
Water pH

Tank Lighting

Tank Lighting
Standard lighting
Light Hours
N/A
Intensity
moderate

Feeding & Diet

Diet Type
Diet: Omnivore
Feeding Schedule
N/A
Live Food Options
N/A

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Crystal Red Shrimp should be kept together?
Start with a colony of 10 or more in a dedicated tank of at least 10 gallons (38 liters) with a footprint of 20x10 inches (50x25 cm). Crystal red shrimp (Caridina cantonensis) are sensitive and display their best colors in an established colony. Keep 5-10 shrimp per gallon once established. Provide dense moss (Java, Christmas moss), cholla wood, and alder cones. Avoid fish tank mates; keep species-only for breeding. Use a sponge filter with very gentle flow.
What are the exact water parameters for Crystal Red Shrimp?
Target pH 6.0 - 6.8, General Hardness 4 - 6 dGH, Carbonate Hardness 0 - 2 dKH, Total Dissolved Solids 120 - 180 ppm, Electrical Conductivity 200 - 300 μS/cm, and temperature 68°F - 76°F (20°C - 24°C). They require soft, acidic water with low TDS and stable mineral parameters. Use RO water remineralized with shrimp minerals (Salty Shrimp GH+). Maintain nitrates below 10 ppm with weekly 10% water changes. Avoid alkalinity; KH above 3 dKH is lethal. Ammonia and nitrite must be 0 ppm.
What is the dietary and medication protocol for Crystal Red Shrimp?
They graze on biofilm, requiring 60% biofilm/detritus, 20% algae, 20% protein. Feed specialized crystal shrimp pellets (Shirakura, GlasGarten), bacter powder (Bacter AE), blanched mulberry leaves, spinach, and algae wafers daily. Supplement with baby brine shrimp weekly. Medication alert: Extremely sensitive to copper (0.01 mg/L lethal) and any heavy metals. Never use copper-based medications. Praziquantel is unsafe. Avoid formalin and malachite green. Quarantine with methylene blue is not recommended.
How to breed Crystal Red Shrimp in captivity?
Maintain stable parameters (pH 6.5, TDS 140, GH 5, 72°F/22°C). Females develop a yellow saddle (ovaries) and molt; males fertilize eggs. Female carries 20-40 eggs under her tail for 4-5 weeks at 72°F (22°C). Eggs are greenish-yellow; eyes become visible at week 3. Shrimplets hatch as miniature adults (0.08 inches/2 mm). They feed on biofilm immediately. No parental care needed. Increase powder food and Bacter AE daily for shrimplets. Cull low-grade offspring to maintain color quality.