Crystal Red Shrimp

Caridina cantonensis

Porcelain-white and blood-red bands, graded like jewels. Crystal reds demand soft, cool, spotless water.

A peaceful freshwater shrimp that grows to 2.5 cm, lives near the bottom and needs 18–24 °C, pH 5.8–7.0 and an aquarium of at least 20 L.

Care at a glance

Water

Freshwater

Temperature

18–24 °C (64–75 °F)

pH

5.8–7.0

Adult size

2.5 cm (1.0 in)

Aquarium

20 L or bigger (5 US gal)

Temperament

Peaceful

Group size

Fine on its own

Swims

Bottom

Diet

Omnivore

Wild home

Selectively bred in Japan

Good to know

• Delicate. Sensitive to poor water quality.
• Bottom crawler. Walks along the substrate.
• Algae eater. Keeps algae under control.

Tank mates

Good company: Black Skirt Tetra, Bloodfin Tetra, Cherry Barb, Chili Rasbora, Ember Tetra, Glowlight Tetra, Harlequin Rasbora, Honey Gourami, Neon Tetra, White Cloud Minnow.

Eaten by: Angelfish, Asian Arowana, Axolotl, Bala Shark, Betta, Black Ghost Knifefish, Boesemani Rainbowfish, Clown Loach, Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid, Comet Goldfish, Electric Blue Acara, Fancy Goldfish and 17 more.

Its fry are eaten by: Black Skirt Tetra, Bloodfin Tetra, Cardinal Tetra, Celestial Pearl Danio, Cherry Barb, Chili Rasbora, Congo Tetra, Corydoras, Discus, Dwarf Gourami, Dwarf Neon Rainbowfish, Ember Tetra and 19 more.

It gets along with every other species that doesn't eat it.

Colours and breeding

• Crystal Red rare
• Crystal Black rare
• Blue Bolt legendary

In Aquarius a grown male and female breed in a healthy tank. Their young are born about 0.2 cm long and take after one of the parents.

Some pairs give a colour neither parent has:

• Crystal Red × Crystal Black can give Blue Bolt

The care values are the ones Aquarius uses, based on how these animals live. Tank mates follow the game's rules: water type, temperature and pH, who can swallow whom, fin nipping, temperament and territory.