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Contents
Overview
The crystal red shrimp (CRS) is a color form of Caridina cantonensis, the bee shrimp of southern China, developed in Japan in the 1990s from a single red animal. Its bold red-and-white banding led to a whole grading system (from C up to SSS) based on how much white it shows and how clean the pattern is.
It is the go-to species for keepers who have mastered Neocaridina and want a step up. It is not a beginner shrimp: it needs soft, acidic, very stable water and punishes mistakes. In return, a healthy colony grazing on moss is one of the prettiest sights in the hobby.
Care and tank setup
The key is soft, acidic, stable water, usually made with RO water remineralized using Caridina-specific salts (GH with no KH) and an active substrate that holds pH around 6-6.5.
- Tank: 8 gallons (30 L) or more, cycled for at least a month with the active soil. A species-only tank works best.
- Temperature: on the cool side. Above 77 °F (25 °C) they struggle and breed less.
- Acclimation: very slow drip (1-2 hours), matching TDS.
- Copper and chemicals: copper is lethal; also avoid strong fertilizers and algaecides.
- Maintenance: small water changes (about 10%) with water prepared to the same parameters. Big changes can trigger failed molts.
They can live with small snails and tiny, calm fish, but a shrimp-only tank is ideal. They can crossbreed with other Caridina such as tiger shrimp, but not with Neocaridina.
Feeding
An omnivore whose staple is biofilm growing on substrate, wood and leaves, so keep dried Indian almond or oak leaves in the tank at all times. Add Caridina-specific food, baby-shrimp powder and the occasional blanched vegetable. Feed small portions and remove leftovers: overfeeding is one of the top causes of losses.
Breeding
They breed at home when the water is right and stable. The female carries 20-30 eggs under her tail for 4-5 weeks, and fully formed shrimplets hatch with no larval stage; they need plenty of biofilm. Growth is slower than in Neocaridina. To raise your grade, pick the animals with the most white and the cleanest bands as breeders.
Compatible tank mates
Species from our database that share water parameters, size and temperament with the Crystal red shrimp. Calculated from the data in each profile.
Bristlenose pleco Ancistrus sp. 26 gal (100 L) · 72–81 °F (22–27 °C) 
Bronze cory Corydoras aeneus 21 gal (80 L) · 72–81 °F (22–27 °C) 
Zebra danio Danio rerio 16 gal (60 L) · 64–77 °F (18–25 °C) 
Harlequin rasbora Trigonostigma heteromorpha 16 gal (60 L) · 72–81 °F (22–27 °C) 
Neon tetra Paracheirodon innesi 16 gal (60 L) · 68–79 °F (20–26 °C) 
Panda cory Corydoras panda 16 gal (60 L) · 68–77 °F (20–25 °C) 
Otocinclus catfish Otocinclus vestitus 16 gal (60 L) · 70–79 °F (21–26 °C) 
Peppered cory Corydoras paleatus 21 gal (80 L) · 64–75 °F (18–24 °C) 
Three-stripe cory Corydoras trilineatus 18 gal (70 L) · 72–79 °F (22–26 °C) 
Pearl danio Danio albolineatus 21 gal (80 L) · 68–79 °F (20–26 °C) 
Honey gourami Trichogaster chuna 14 gal (54 L) · 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) 
White cloud mountain minnow Tanichthys albonubes 16 gal (60 L) · 57–72 °F (14–22 °C) Check the compatibility of your whole tank →
What not to keep it with
Popular species you shouldn’t house with the Crystal red shrimp, and why.
- Tiger barb: eats shrimp
- Betta fish: incompatible temperatures, eats shrimp
- Common goldfish: incompatible pH, eats shrimp
- Discus: incompatible temperatures, eats shrimp
- Angelfish: incompatible temperatures, eats shrimp
- Guppy: incompatible pH, incompatible water hardness
- Yellow lab cichlid: incompatible temperatures, incompatible pH, incompatible water hardness, eats shrimp
- Clown loach: incompatible temperatures, eats shrimp
Recommended equipment
What you need to keep the Crystal red shrimp healthy, checked against Amazon stock.
Frequently asked questions
How many liters does a Crystal red shrimp need?
At least about 30 liters for a group of at least 10 fish. More space always helps keep the water stable.
What water temperature does the Crystal red shrimp need?
Between 18 and 24 °C, with a pH of 5.8 to 6.8.
What fish can live with the Crystal red shrimp?
Based on water, size and temperament, it fits with species such as Bristlenose pleco, Bronze cory, Zebra danio, Harlequin rasbora and Neon tetra. Use our compatibility calculator to check your whole tank.
