Crystal Red Shrimp

Crystal Red Shrimp

Crystal Red Shrimps are one of the beautiful sights inside the water tank. All of the crystal red shrimps are wonderful for the home aquariums. The setups are tricky for them, but they survive in all types of conditions. They are tiny creatures, but the color of the shrimp makes them prominent. There are few patterns on their skin, and it distinguishes them from other shrimp.

Crystal Red Shrimp

The crystal red shrimps move around in the tank to get the food items. The whole tank looks fantastic due to their swimming patterns.

They are a fascinating view for the shrimp owners and other viewers. They are a bit complex to handle, but their advantages are enormous.

Profile of crystal red shrimps

Categories Features
Scientific name Caridina cf.cantonensis
Common name Crystal red shrimp
Origin Asia and japan
Life span Almost 2-2.5 year
Size 1-2.5 inches
Maintenance High-quality parameters
Tank size 7-9 gallons
Tank type Planted
Breeding Selective
Suitable for aquariums Freshwater
Behavior Calm
Temperament Peaceful
Habitat Freshwater lakes and rivers
Diet Omnivores
Plant safe Yes
Care level Complex

Breeders like these are more than any other species. The breeders use them to produce a large number of individuals from them. The increase in number makes them fantastic among the community. 

All of them are freshwater species, and they have got a pacific nature. They like to swim in the form of groups and enjoy their time in the water conditions. 

Scientific and other names

The scientific name of the crystal red shrimp is Caridina. They are a member of the Atyidae family, and it makes them ancestors of the bee shrimps. The casual titles for the crystal shrimps are bee shrimps, crystal shrimps, and crystal red shrimp. 

All the names describe the color and appearance of the shrimps. They have multiple species, and all of them are popular in terms of their name and appearances.

History and origin

They have the origin in Asia and mostly occur in freshwater lakes and rivers. The variation of color makes them separate from other shrimps, and japan has numerous varieties.

The breeding process is high in these areas, and they use these shrimps for the breed purpose. They are never present in the wild habitats. Taiwan is the main area for producing these shrimps.

The appearance of crystal red shrimps 

The crystal shrimps are one of the attractive and appealing. They are red and white in their color patterns. The colors are radiant, and they have unique bodies. They depend on the grading system, and color varies according to the stages. 

Few shrimps are low quality, and they contain the least red color on them. The color is on their whole body in a plane manner. The white strips make a pattern in the red color, and they are present in a proper sequence.

The color of the crystal red shrimps makes them unique and demanding. The opaque shrimps have more red on them. They are costly and very much in demand for the aqua land.

One kind of crystal red shrimps that are known as Mosura, and they are one of the highest in terms of quality. The shrimps that belong to triple S grade are white on their body.

They have patches of red color on their heads and tails. They are excellent in growth and are known as classic shrimps.

They have antennas that keep on moving during swimming. The legs of the shrimps help in walking on the rocks and capturing things.

The abdomen of these dwarf shrimps has bulky abdominal areas. The breeding is easy due to the presence of these multiple features.

Female shrimps have larger scales on their skin. They vary in appearance at the time of hatching, and the ovary is versatile in them.

Typical behavior

They are pacific and never attack their other mates in the fish tank. The other mates can be predators for them, so always keep selective animals in the tank. 

The tiny creatures are vulnerable to attack because of their small size. Always choose the right mates for them in the fish tank.

They are the best species of freshwater lakes, rivers, and water sources. The surrounding comprises the greenery that helps in the pacifying behavior. 

They remain calm and happy all the time in the tank. They like to swim a lot and keep the oxygenated all the time.

Initially, the shrimps behave oddly in the house aquariums because they like to live in large water sources. They make their selves habitual with the environment over time. They are playful and live happily every time.

The addition of wood and other plants inside the tank provides a peaceful environment. The shrimps find the aquarium as their home for them. 

All of them create a mesmerizing view when they swim inside the tank. The crystal red shrimp love to sleep and rest at the bottom of the tank. The shredding of the skeleton happens there on the substrate. 

Size 

They are tiny creatures, and they reach up to 1-1.2 inches. There is no specific evidence of their growth beyond this size. The small size of shrimps makes them excellent for tiny to medium aquariums.

Female shrimps are a bit larger than the males’ shrimps. It makes the breeding faster and easier in them. The environmental conditions and proper diet promote their growth. They are strikingly fantastic creatures that make the whole tank mesmerizing. 

Habitat

The crystal shrimps belong to freshwater water that moves slowly. It includes slow-moving lakes, rivers, and even swamps. The surrounding freshwater sources include greenery and trees.

All of them are a source of food and other such items for the shrimps. They live happily in such conditions. These are Amazonians naturally, and it makes them versatile from casual shrimps.

The freshwater usually contains the soft substrate in the bottom in the form of leaves and other plants. The water is acidic naturally, and it impacts the water conditioning.

In the presence of low ph. the water changes its color. It is a clear sign of water toxicity, and it is not suitable for these shrimps.

Tank requirements for crystal red shrimps

When you set up an aquarium for the crystal shrimps, and then recreate all the internal conditions. They want excellent water and other conditions like their freshwater habitats.

All of them like natural things because they belong to such a community. They are social and always cooperate with other species inside the tank. They are a breed of bee shrimps and act like them.

They like warm water than the casual temperature. Always maintain the temperature of water by keeping it water. The addition of a small heater is a good idea for such aquariums. The water is acid, and the water conditions travel in the same stream. 

The continuous swimming of the shrimps adds a lot of oxygen to the water. The shrimps remove pollutants from the tank’s water. The debris of dead plants and leaves in the bottom helps to provide shelter. 

Water conditions for crystal red shrimps

Categories Ranges
Temperature 70-77 Fahrenheit
pH 5-7
Acidity maintain by using buffers
Pump air pump for more oxygen
Substrate soft
Grass Hair grass
Filter sponge filters
Nitrates Less than 5%
Ammonia Absence
Total dissolving solid less than 7%

They are sensitive to the low parameters of water, and it proves lethal in some cases. The tiny creatures take the influence of the leaves and other such items.

The breeding process becomes difficult due to these parameters. Always maintain the best water conditions inside the fish tank. Check the parameters weekly and find out if there is any problem. Use a water testing kit for assassinating the issue inside the tank’s water.

Use a thermometer and check the temperature now and then. Keep the water warm for better survival and growth. These shrimps do not like scratching, and that’s why you should use soft substrate. You can add various plants as a place of shelter for the crystal shrimps. 

How many crystal red shrimps can live together?

Crystal shrimps should have suitable space to live, they never grow more than two inches and like to swim.

Each crystal shrimp-like few gallons of water for better life and growth. The size of the tank affects the life of these shrimps. 

Size of the tank

They are tiny shrimps naturally, but they like large spaces of water. All of them love to live in plenty of water, and they enjoy their life by swimming all day.

A water tank of 7-10 gallons is excellent for them. The more space inside the aquarium makes them comfortable. Also, they are not aggressive, and it keeps them calm all the time.

It is an easy process to change the conditions of the large tank’s water. These are sensitive to water conditions, and that why they want better parameters.

A crystal red shrimp enjoys a period of change in the chemistry of water. It is a unique feature for such shrimps, and they live happily. 

Tanks mates

They are community shrimps and always like to live in groups. They are non-aggressive and never attack other tank mates.

Crystal red shrimps are excellent for the community tanks, and you can place them together. The tiny size allows the accommodation of multiple shrimps in a seven to ten-gallon water tank. They keep the whole tank mesmerizing and appealing to the viewers. 

They like species tanks more than casual tanks. The grading affects this placement, and you need to be precise in this context. 

Always pick the tank mates carefully because other animals attack the shrimps. The community tank helps in great placement and an enjoyable space of comfort. Always choose small and peaceful species that do not harm the small dwarf species. 

  • Zebra Danios
  • Neon tetras
  • Cherry Barbs
  • Otocinclus
  • Guppies
  • Snails 

The invertebrates make an excellent tank environment inside the water tank. Other species like snails are better for the tanks, and they make a friendly environment for swimming.

The male species also do not attack each other; never have they showed any type of aggression.

Diet of crystal red shrimps

The crystal red shrimps are omnivores, and they can eat all types of vegetables and fruits. They like eating all the time, and gazing for food occurs every time. They even start finding food right after the feed. An excellent exoskeleton is best for the life span and growth of the crystal red shrimps, and they like to eat phytoplankton.

Calcium is an excellent source for tremendous growth and health. Their diet includes multiple things. A few of them are as follows, 

  • Plant detritus
  • Algae
  • Small insects
  • Larvae pallets of skin
  • Algae wafers
  • Broccoli
  • Zucchini
  • Cucumber

Shrimps like to eat cucumber and it is beneficial for them. The digestive system of the shrimps is an essential system for long life. Always keep the food in the best possible condition, or it results in lethal states. 

You can also provide those frozen insects, dried leaves, fish food, and other such items. These items have high nutritional content in them that offers maximum health.

Provide them bloodworms as food, and it helps in the growth of the abdomen in them. 

Avoid them giving the dried food items because they lack the nutrition. Provide them fresh vegetables with health supplements. 

Feeding mechanism

They are aggressive eaters and always try to find food all the time. They search for food when they have full stomachs. Also, feed them once a day and include all the essential nutrients in the serving.

Grind and chop the larger food items into small particles. Never increase the size of the food from two hundred microns.

Use the bag and thread method to provide food inside the aquarium. Never drop food from the tank’s top. The crystal shrimp can die due to shock and fear. 

Avoid the process of overfeeding because the shrimps are sensitive. Excessive food causes pollution in the tank and makes the water filthy.

Always manage a food quantity that the shrimps eat within few hours. Use a vacuum of cleaning to remove the leftover and decay food from the substrate. 

Care of crystal red shrimps

They need a suitable aquarium for healthy conditions of life. They never show a reaction to the immediate changes to the surrounding and also inside the tank.

The sensitivity of the crystal shrimp associates with the intense breeding cycle. Recycling and cleaning of the tank are essential things to do all the time. A filter helps to clean the toxic substances, but as an owner, it is your responsibility. 

Change the water regularly and keep the ph. of water in moderation. Use soft substrate for the shrimps and clean it regularly.

Remove dead debris from the bottom of the tank, and it helps in the prevention of biofilm formation. Use tools like water test kits and other such equipment to create a balance.

Never add toxic chemicals directly into the tank water. Always remove the tiny creature and then add the copper-free substances. The copper kills all the invertebrates in freshwater and planted aquariums. 

Save the shrimps from bacterial and fungal infections. Add chlorine to the water and also remove ammonia. The poor conditions of water promote the presence of pathogens.

These are lethal substances for the shrimps. Keep the standard parameters and protect the shrimps. 

Breeding

These are some of the most demanding species for the breeding water tanks. The breeders like the activity of producing the largest number of the shrimps. The high-grade shrimps are costly, and they provide a handsome income. 

The species are simple to breed inside the aquariums. The right conditions of water and a better environment provide suitable conditions for breeding. 

Always put them in male and female groups. The female shrimps have larger scales than the males. The abundance of the species leads to excellent mating in the fish tank.

The breeding becomes fasters and results in multiple numbers. The release of pheromones inside water attracts the male shrimps.

The females carry their eggs for almost one month. The days can increase or decrease depending on the tank conditions. The newborns are fully grown and the same as their adults. 

The size is tinier than the parents, and they look after themselves on their own. Always provide enough feed for their fast and enough growth.

Baby shrimp food is available in the market, and you can serve it to them. It enhances the rapid growth of the newborns, and then they start breeding. It is one complete cycle of breeding and hatching all the time.

Lifespan

They have shorter lifespans like other shrimps. They can live up to one year inside the home aquariums. The provision of better food and water conditions are essential.

Some of them reach to half a year, and then they die due to predators. The toxic water environment leads to the death of the tiny shrimps. Some of them live for 15-17 months. There is no documented evidence of their survival for more than two years. 

Cost

The cost of crystal red shrimps depends on the grading and breeding process. The rate increases then decrease in terms of grading, and the higher-grade shrimps are up to $150-$190. 

The lower grading shrimps are cheap as $3-$5. Some people increase the rate because they have spent a lot of money on the shrimps.

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