Crystal Red Shrimp (Caridina cantonensis), also known as CRS, are popular freshwater shrimp known for their striking red and white coloration. Here are their care requirements:
Tank Size: Minimum of 10 gallons for stability and to maintain water quality.
Substrate: Active substrates designed for shrimp (e.g., ADA Aqua Soil) are recommended as they help maintain the desired pH and provide essential minerals.
Decor: Provide plenty of live plants (e.g., mosses, ferns, and Anubias), driftwood, and rocks to create hiding spots and grazing areas.
Temperature: 68-75°F (20-24°C)
pH: 5.8-6.8
Hardness: 0-4 dGH
KH (Carbonate Hardness): 0-2 dKH
Ammonia/Nitrites: 0 ppm
Nitrates: < 10 ppm
TDS (Total Dissolved Solids): 100-200 ppm
Chlorine/Chloramine: Must be neutralized with a suitable water conditioner before adding shrimp.
Filtration: Use a gentle filter that does not create strong currents, such as a sponge filter or a filter with a pre-filter sponge to prevent shrimp from being sucked in.
Water Movement: Moderate water flow to ensure oxygenation and circulation without creating strong currents that may stress the shrimp.
Omnivorous: Crystal Red Shrimp are scavengers and will eat a variety of foods.
Natural Diet: They consume algae, biofilm, and detritus that naturally occur in the aquarium.
Supplements: Provide specially formulated shrimp food, algae wafers, and blanched vegetables (e.g., zucchini, spinach).
Variety: Offer occasional protein-rich foods like daphnia or brine shrimp.
Peaceful Nature: Crystal Red Shrimp are non-aggressive and peaceful, making them ideal tank mates for most community fish species that are small and peaceful.
Tank Mates: Compatible with small, non-predatory fish such as tetras, rasboras, and small livebearers. Avoid large or aggressive fish that may prey on shrimp.
Social Behavior: They are social and do well in groups, so keeping them in groups of 10 or more is recommended for better breeding success and reduced stress.
Water Changes: Regular water changes (10-20% weekly) to maintain water quality and remove accumulated waste and nitrates.
Observation: Monitor their behavior and appearance regularly for signs of stress or illness. Healthy Crystal Red Shrimp are active and constantly foraging.
Molting: Provide plenty of hiding places and mosses for molting, as molting is a vulnerable period for shrimp.
Ease of Breeding: Crystal Red Shrimp breed readily in a well-maintained aquarium with stable water parameters.
Mating: When conditions are right, females will carry eggs under their tails (berried). The eggs hatch into miniature versions of the adults, without a larval stage.
Baby Shrimp: Provide plenty of hiding places and fine plants or mosses for the baby shrimp to hide and feed on.
Acclimation: Slowly acclimate them to your tank’s water parameters using the drip acclimation method to minimize stress.
Cover Openings: Ensure aquarium lids are secure as shrimp can be good climbers and may attempt to escape.
Copper Sensitivity: Like all shrimp, Crystal Red Shrimp are sensitive to copper. Avoid using medications or water treatments containing copper.
Stable Environment: Maintain stable water parameters and avoid sudden changes, as shrimp are sensitive to fluctuations.
By providing Crystal Red Shrimp with a well-maintained environment, a varied diet rich in algae and biofilm, and suitable tank mates, they can thrive and add vibrant color to your freshwater aquarium setup.
Crystal Red Shrimp (Caridina cantonensis), also known as CRS, are popular freshwater shrimp known for their striking red and white coloration. Here are their care requirements:
Tank Size: Minimum of 10 gallons for stability and to maintain water quality.
Substrate: Active substrates designed for shrimp (e.g., ADA Aqua Soil) are recommended as they help maintain the desired pH and provide essential minerals.
Decor: Provide plenty of live plants (e.g., mosses, ferns, and Anubias), driftwood, and rocks to create hiding spots and grazing areas.
Temperature: 68-75°F (20-24°C)
pH: 5.8-6.8
Hardness: 0-4 dGH
KH (Carbonate Hardness): 0-2 dKH
Ammonia/Nitrites: 0 ppm
Nitrates: < 10 ppm
TDS (Total Dissolved Solids): 100-200 ppm
Chlorine/Chloramine: Must be neutralized with a suitable water conditioner before adding shrimp.
Filtration: Use a gentle filter that does not create strong currents, such as a sponge filter or a filter with a pre-filter sponge to prevent shrimp from being sucked in.
Water Movement: Moderate water flow to ensure oxygenation and circulation without creating strong currents that may stress the shrimp.
Omnivorous: Crystal Red Shrimp are scavengers and will eat a variety of foods.
Natural Diet: They consume algae, biofilm, and detritus that naturally occur in the aquarium.
Supplements: Provide specially formulated shrimp food, algae wafers, and blanched vegetables (e.g., zucchini, spinach).
Variety: Offer occasional protein-rich foods like daphnia or brine shrimp.
Peaceful Nature: Crystal Red Shrimp are non-aggressive and peaceful, making them ideal tank mates for most community fish species that are small and peaceful.
Tank Mates: Compatible with small, non-predatory fish such as tetras, rasboras, and small livebearers. Avoid large or aggressive fish that may prey on shrimp.
Social Behavior: They are social and do well in groups, so keeping them in groups of 10 or more is recommended for better breeding success and reduced stress.
Water Changes: Regular water changes (10-20% weekly) to maintain water quality and remove accumulated waste and nitrates.
Observation: Monitor their behavior and appearance regularly for signs of stress or illness. Healthy Crystal Red Shrimp are active and constantly foraging.
Molting: Provide plenty of hiding places and mosses for molting, as molting is a vulnerable period for shrimp.
Ease of Breeding: Crystal Red Shrimp breed readily in a well-maintained aquarium with stable water parameters.
Mating: When conditions are right, females will carry eggs under their tails (berried). The eggs hatch into miniature versions of the adults, without a larval stage.
Baby Shrimp: Provide plenty of hiding places and fine plants or mosses for the baby shrimp to hide and feed on.
Acclimation: Slowly acclimate them to your tank’s water parameters using the drip acclimation method to minimize stress.
Cover Openings: Ensure aquarium lids are secure as shrimp can be good climbers and may attempt to escape.
Copper Sensitivity: Like all shrimp, Crystal Red Shrimp are sensitive to copper. Avoid using medications or water treatments containing copper.
Stable Environment: Maintain stable water parameters and avoid sudden changes, as shrimp are sensitive to fluctuations.
By providing Crystal Red Shrimp with a well-maintained environment, a varied diet rich in algae and biofilm, and suitable tank mates, they can thrive and add vibrant color to your freshwater aquarium setup.
