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Contents
Overview
The tiger shrimp (Caridina mariae, often sold as Caridina cf. cantonensis "Tiger") comes from southern China. Its name comes from the thin dark stripes crossing its clear or amber body. Besides the wild form there are sought-after line-bred varieties such as the blue tiger, the orange eyed blue tiger (OEBT) and the black tiger.
It is a good stepping stone between Neocaridina and bee shrimp: it tolerates a somewhat wider range of water than crystal reds, although it still prefers soft, stable water. Recommended for keepers with some shrimp experience.
Care and tank setup
It prefers soft to moderately hard water that is cool and very stable.
- Tank: 7 gallons (25 L) or more, mature, with moss, dried leaves and wood to grow biofilm.
- Water: soft tap water or an RO/tap blend. An active substrate helps but isn't as essential as for crystal reds.
- Temperature: ideally below 77 °F (25 °C); heat shortens its life.
- Acclimation: slow drip.
- Copper: toxic. Check every product before dosing.
It is peaceful and lives with snails and tiny fish, although babies tend to vanish in tanks with fish. To keep a variety pure, don't house it with bee shrimp (crystal red, crystal black): they crossbreed into hybrids known as "tibees". It won't crossbreed with Neocaridina.
Feeding
An omnivore that scrapes biofilm and algae all day. Supplement with Caridina-specific food, blanched vegetables and Indian almond leaves, in small portions that are gone within a few hours. A little protein-rich food once a week helps berried females. Without enough biofilm, babies grow slowly or don't survive, so keep the tank mature and leafy.
Breeding
It breeds in fresh water with no larval stage. The female carries the eggs under her tail for about 4 weeks, and fully formed shrimplets hatch and hide in the moss. Colonies grow more slowly than Neocaridina. Color varieties throw some wild-type babies; cull them if you want a uniform line.
Compatible tank mates
Species from our database that share water parameters, size and temperament with the Tiger shrimp. Calculated from the data in each profile.
Bristlenose pleco Ancistrus sp. 26 gal (100 L) · 72–81 °F (22–27 °C) 
Cherry barb Puntius titteya 16 gal (60 L) · 73–81 °F (23–27 °C) 
Nerite snail Neritina natalensis 5 gal (20 L) · 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) 
Horned nerite snail Clithon corona 5 gal (20 L) · 72–82 °F (22–28 °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) 
Guppy Poecilia reticulata 14 gal (54 L) · 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) 
Platy Xiphophorus maculatus 16 gal (60 L) · 68–79 °F (20–26 °C) 
Harlequin rasbora Trigonostigma heteromorpha 16 gal (60 L) · 72–81 °F (22–27 °C) 
Ember tetra Hyphessobrycon amandae 11 gal (40 L) · 73–82 °F (23–28 °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) Check the compatibility of your whole tank →
What not to keep it with
Popular species you shouldn’t house with the Tiger shrimp, and why.
- Tiger barb: eats shrimp
- Betta fish: incompatible temperatures, eats shrimp
- Common goldfish: eats shrimp
- Discus: incompatible temperatures, eats shrimp
- Angelfish: incompatible temperatures, eats shrimp
- Yellow lab cichlid: incompatible temperatures, incompatible pH, eats shrimp
- Clown loach: incompatible temperatures, eats shrimp
- Oranda goldfish: eats shrimp
Recommended equipment
What you need to keep the Tiger shrimp healthy, checked against Amazon stock.
Frequently asked questions
How many liters does a Tiger shrimp need?
At least about 25 liters for a group of at least 10 fish. More space always helps keep the water stable.
What water temperature does the Tiger shrimp need?
Between 18 and 25 °C, with a pH of 6 to 7.5.
What fish can live with the Tiger shrimp?
Based on water, size and temperament, it fits with species such as Bristlenose pleco, Cherry barb, Nerite snail, Horned nerite snail and Bronze cory. Use our compatibility calculator to check your whole tank.
