Crystal Red Shrimp are some of the most popular shrimp in the hobby, and it’s easy to see why.
They are bright red with an iridescent orange-red sheen that makes them stand out against all other shrimp.
These shrimp have a low profile, making them ideal for nano tanks or planted tanks where they can live under gravel or plants.
If you want to keep Crystal Red Shrimp as pets, there are many things to consider before adding these beautiful creatures to your tank!
This article will cover everything you need to know about caring for Crystal Red Shrimp so that they thrive and breed successfully in captivity.
Overview
Crystal Red shrimp (Caridina cantonensis) do not occur in nature because they are a product of selective breeding.
It’s thought that this one-of-a-kind shrimp evolved from a single change in a black Bee Shrimp.
They are extremely hard to get your hands on , and a single shrimp can cost $50 or more.
As they are very demanding, they are not recommended for beginners.
Caridina cantonensis is also known as the “crystal red shrimp” because of its deep red coloring, which often takes on an almost purple color in lower lighting conditions.
They are very active swimmers and will spend much of their time swimming around your tank searching for food particles to eat!
They’re not big fans of dirty water, so regular cleaning practices should be followed if you want these shrimp to thrive in captivity.
About Crystal Red Shrimp
Typical Behavior
Crystal Red Shrimp will not cause any problems in your tank because they are completely harmless.
Due to their size, they can be very vulnerable, and some care and consideration is required when choosing their tank mates.
Most of their time is spent near the bottom of the tank in search for food.
All shrimp shred their old shell before growing a new one, which means they molt every once in a while.
The reason this happens is because their shell doesn’t grow with them.
This is where they can be especially vulnerable because it takes a while for the new shell to grow.
Appearance
The body of the Crystal Red Shrimp looks like any other type of freshwater shrimp.
Their heads are flat and feature a pair of long antennae, which they use to find food in the water.
Their bodies have three major colors: red, white, and black. These shrimp also possess all types of different patterns within these main colors (such as stripes or spots).
Crystal Red Shrimp Grading
These shrimp have a grading system due to their being so many pattern variations. The 7 grades are SSS, SS, S+, S, A, B, C.
- SSS Grade: At least 75% of the body area covered in white
- SS Grade: Has an additional red “Hinomaru” – a red circular portion on the back. The name comes from the sun on the Japanese flag.
- S Grade: A solid pattern of alternating white and red bands starts to develop across the body.
- S+ Grade: More solid colored individuals. Along with the S grade, they can have V-band and the Tiger Tooth features.
- A Grade: Very similar to S grade, but they lack special patterns and have semi-translucent white areas.
- B Grade: Mixed red and white marks with no full white band. They also have less solid colors and more translucent areas.
- C Grade: With no coloring in the legs and little to no white spots, grade C is the closest to the original Crystal Red Shrimp.
Size
As fully grown adults, Crystal Red Shrimp will only reach 1 to 1.5 inches, and the reason why they are considered a dwarf shrimp.
Lifespan
When kept in captivity, the Crystal Red shrimp has a short life span of around 18 months.
This lifespan is also only possible if the tank and water are kept in immaculate condition. Any lack of quality will ensure an early death.
Habitat and Tank Conditions
Crystal Red Shrimp Water Parameters
Although Crystal Red shrimp do not exist in the wild, the Bee shrimp is used as a guideline for the water parameters.
The Bee shrimp is found in mountain river streams throughout China and Vietnam, where the water temperatures are cooler.
The streams are also free of pollutants, relatively balanced, and soft.
To keep things stable, 30 percent water changes should be performed once every week. It’s also very important to keep the aquarium free of ammonia and nitrates.
- Water Temperature: 62°F to 78°F (above 70 degrees is recommended)
- pH levels: 5.8 to 7.4
- Water Hardness: 0-4 kH
What Size Tank Do They Need?
A 10-gallon tank is a minimum, because although they are tiny, they do enjoy a lot of space to swim in.
Plants
It’s a good idea to keep a lot of plants with Crystal Red Shrimp.
They are at their happiest when surrounded by natural vegetation, because not only do plants provide somewhere to hide, but they also provide a food source.
Substrate
Sand is an excellent option, although there are no real hard requirements.
Tank Mates
Although Crystal Red Shrimp re extremely peaceful, it’s hard to find tank mates who will not eat them.
They are an easy target due to their size and coloration. Here are some tank mate options you can try:
- Bamboo Shrimp
- Amano Shrimp
- Neon Tetras
- Zebra Danios
- guppies
- Otocinclus
Keeping Crystal Red Shrimp Together
Keeping Crystal Red Shrimp together is probably the best option, as they will leave happily side-by-side without any issues.
You don not even have to worry about how many males you have in the tank, because even they will get along just fine.
Diet
Crystal Red Shrimp are very low-maintenance when it comes to food, and their diet can be relatively simple.
They can eat just about anything that you feed your fish, and they enjoy pellets just as much as flakes or frozen food items.
Although they spend most of their time scavenging for food, it’s still important to feed them on a daily basis using commercial shrimp food.
They also enjoy zucchini, broccoli, peas, romaine lettuce, and cucumbers in their diet.
Common Diseases & Issues
Here are some common issues that may arise with Crystal Red Shrimp:
- Ammonia sensitivity.
- Bacteria Infections: Caused by poor water conditions.
- Fungi.
- Parasitic Infections.
If the shrimp have any of the following issues, it is best to seek the advice of a vet who will provide you with medicine.
Breeding
Crystal Red Shrimp do not have a very long life-span, but breeding them is extremely easy, and will generally mate with little encouragement.
Just be sure to feed them regularly and the females will soon swell with eggs. She’ll then broadcast pheromones in order to inform males that she’s ready to reproduce!
The eggs are carried under the female abdomen once she has lay them. The eggs will then hatch after around30 days.
To help increase survival rates of the fry, remove any fish from out of the tank. They will then reach adulthood after around four to five weeks.
Crystal Red Shrimp Conclusion
The Crystal Red Shrimp is a beautiful and exotic freshwater shrimp that has been gaining popularity in the aquarium hobby.
As you consider adding this creature to your tank, it’s important not only to understand its physical needs but also what type of social interactions it will need with other species in order to feel satisfied and happy.
It is best for these shrimp if they can be kept together, but there are some necessary precautions one must take when doing so such as providing enough space.
It’s also important to ensure the water parameters stay within range.
If you stick with these guidelines then we promise your new Crystal Red Shrimp friends will live up to all expectations!
Do you own Crystal Red Shrimp? Let us know in the comments below.
