The crystal red shrimp is a selectively bred red-and-white color form of the wild 'bee shrimp' (Caridina cantonensis), prized as one of the most beautiful and collectible dwarf freshwater shrimp. Stunning but sensitive to water quality, it thrives only in soft, slightly acidic, stable water and is best kept in a dedicated species tank.
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About 2.5-3 cm (1-1.2 in) body length; females slightly larger and rounder than males.
Lifespan
1–2 years
Social needs
group
Native region
Wild bee shrimp ancestor native to southern China (Guangdong) and nearby East Asia; the crystal red form is a man-made l
Origin
Old World
Climate
⛅ Subtropical
Water type
💧 Freshwater
Family
Atyidae
Genus
Caridina
Part of the Freshwater shrimp
Small atyid and palaemonid shrimp kept in planted aquariums as peaceful algae-grazers and colorful colony animals. Care ranges from beginner-friendly Neocaridina to demanding species like the Sulawesi shrimp that need precise, stable water chemistry.
From the minimum an animal needs to be kept humanely, up to the ideal setup. Bigger is almost always better — minimums are floors, not targets.
Photo coming soon
Minimum
Dedicated soft-water nano
10 gal (≈ 38 L), active substrate
Caridina cf. cantonensis 'CRS' needs stable soft, acidic water (pH 5.8–6.8, TDS 100–160, GH 4–6, KH 0–1) over an active soil, RO/DI + remineraliser. They are NOT compatible with Neocaridina/tap-water shrimp.
Photo coming soon
Recommended
Dedicated soft-water aquarium
20 gal (≈ 76 L), planted, ATO
A dedicated CRS aquarium with active soil, dense moss/buce, sponge filtration, and small frequent water changes with parameter-matched RO. Auto top-off (ATO) keeps TDS stable.
Photo coming soon
Ideal
Show shrimp breeding tank
20–30 gal, parameter logging
A dedicated breeding tank with parameter logging, careful line selection, and a planned culling programme. Top-grade CRS (Mosura, Hinomaru) require this level of attention.
Life & growth stages
How this animal changes through its life — each stage often has its own care, diet and space needs.
Photo coming soon
Larva
Most marine invertebrates hatch into microscopic planktonic larvae (such as the zoea of crustaceans or the bipinnaria/veliger of echinoderms and mollusks) that drift and feed in the water column. The larva looks nothing like the adult and undergoes major reorganization.
Photo coming soon
Juvenile
After settling out of the plankton, the juvenile takes on a recognizable miniature of the adult body plan — a tiny shell, a small star, or a translucent shrimp. Crustaceans grow by molting, shedding the exoskeleton to enlarge.
Adult
Adults reach full size and reproductive maturity with the species' mature shell, shape, or coloration. Many continue to molt or grow throughout life, and some show sex differences in size or claw/appendage shape.
Color & pattern variants
Natural variants occur in the wild; selectively bred (man-made) variants were developed in captivity.
A mature, cycled tank of at least 20 L (5 gal) suits a small colony, though larger volumes buffer parameters and grow bigger colonies. Crystal reds need soft, slightly acidic water: temperature 20-24 C (68-75 F), pH 5.8-6.8, GH 4-6, KH 0-2, and TDS around 100-150 ppm. They prefer gentle flow and moderate, plant-friendly lighting; planted tanks with mosses and botanicals are ideal. Stability matters far more than chasing exact numbers — avoid swings, and never add untreated tap water.
Substrate
An active 'buffering' aquasoil that lowers pH and KH (e.g. dedicated shrimp soils) is strongly recommended, paired with mosses, leaf litter, and cholla wood for grazing surfaces. The fine, dark substrate also shows off their red-and-white coloration.
Equipment & setup
Use a gentle, fully cycled filter with a sponge pre-filter to protect shrimplets from being sucked in; a sponge filter alone is ideal for nano tanks. A heater is needed in cooler rooms to hold a stable temperature, and a TDS/GH meter plus remineralizer for RO water makes parameters repeatable. Low to moderate LED lighting supports plant and biofilm growth.
Diet
Omnivorous biofilm grazers that constantly browse algae, detritus, and microorganisms on surfaces. Supplement with specialized shrimp pellets, blanched vegetables (spinach, zucchini), and occasional protein, plus mineral/biofilm foods; feed sparingly to protect water quality. Indian almond (catappa) leaves and other botanicals provide grazing biofilm and beneficial tannins.
Behavior & temperament
Peaceful, social, and active grazers that do best in colonies of 10+ and are completely safe with plants. Keep them in a shrimp-only or very gentle tank; most fish will eat shrimplets, so avoid all but the smallest peaceful tankmates (e.g. some nano fish, snails). Note that Caridina and Neocaridina can crossbreed only within their own genus, but mixing different Caridina bee-shrimp lines produces muddy colors, so keep grades separate for breeding.
Health
Sensitivity to ammonia, nitrite, copper, and parameter swings is the main killer; copper-containing fish/snail medications are lethal. Watch for failed or 'white ring' of death molts caused by low minerals or unstable GH/KH, and for bacterial or fungal infections. Quarantine new plants/livestock and rinse off pesticide residues, as many plant treatments are deadly to shrimp.
Tips, DIY & hacks
Drip-acclimate slowly (60-90 minutes) since they are very sensitive to sudden TDS or pH changes. Build the tank around RO water remineralized to target GH/KH for consistency, and add botanicals (catappa leaves, alder cones) to grow the biofilm that babies feed on. Grading by pattern (e.g. higher-grade 'Mosura', 'Crown', 'Hinomaru') affects value but not care.
