Crystal Red Shrimp (Caridina cantonensis) Care Guide
Caridina cantonensis 'Crystal Red' is a selectively bred red-and-white shrimp from Taiwan/Hong Kong demanding soft acidic water and stable TDS.
Overview
Caridina cantonensis is a freshwater shrimp in the family Atyidae, native to Taiwan and southern China. The 'Crystal Red' variant is a selectively bred red-and-white form developed in Japan from a single red mutation found in 1996 by Hisayasu Suzuki among his Black Bee shrimp. Adults reach 2-3 cm and are graded SS, S, A, B by the coverage of solid white markings.
Taxonomy
- Family: Atyidae
- Genus: Caridina
- Scientific name: Caridina cantonensis
- Cultivar: 'Crystal Red'
- Trade grades (lowest → highest): C, B, A, S, SS, SSS, Mosura
Habitat
Wild populations of Caridina cantonensis inhabit cool, soft, acidic streams in Taiwan and southern China. All Crystal Red lineages are aquarium-bred and depend on water chemistry that mirrors these soft, acidic native streams.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 30 L (8 gal)
- Temperature: 22-25 C (72-77 F)
- pH: 5.8-6.8
- GH: 4-6 dGH
- KH: 0-2 dKH
- TDS: 100-180 µS/cm
- Lifespan: 1-2 years
- Water type: soft, acidic freshwater (RO/DI remineralised with Caridina-specific salt)
Diet
Detritivore. Grazes on biofilm, soft algae and decaying plant matter. Supplement sparingly with shrimp-specific pellets, mineral mulberry leaves and Indian almond leaves. Overfeeding raises TDS, ammonia and nitrate and triggers losses.
Compatibility
Best kept species-only or with very small peaceful tankmates such as Otocinclus, pygmy Corydoras and Nerite snails. Crystal Red does not interbreed with Neocaridina davidi, but it interbreeds with other Caridina cantonensis (e.g. Crystal Black, Bee), so colour lines should be kept separately to preserve grading.
Breeding
Females carry 20-30 eggs under the pleopods for 3-4 weeks and release fully formed miniature shrimp directly into freshwater; there is no larval stage. Successful breeding depends on stable soft-acidic parameters, mature biofilm, and active aquasoil that buffers pH downward.