Crystal red shrimp
Caridina logemanni
The red-and-white bee shrimp, benchmark of the shrimp hobby; it needs soft, acidic, very stable water, usually on aquasoil and RO water.
Key facts
- Body length
- 1.2 in without fins
- Minimum tank
- 6 gallons
- Group
- 10+
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Care level
- 4 / 5
- Lifespan
- 1–2 years
- Diet
- Biofilm, bee shrimp food, blanched vegetables
- Origin
- Taiwan (selectively bred form)
- Hardier than1%
- Bigger than8%
- Calmer than68%
Water: their range vs yours
Crystal red shrimp tank mates
- Bladder snailGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Malaysian trumpet snailGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Mystery snailGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Ramshorn snailGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Colombian ramshornGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Great pond snailGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Assassin snailAssassin snail (predatory) will bully the peaceful Crystal red shrimp.Risky
- Rabbit snailNeeds warmer, harder water than crystal reds.Risky
- Neon tetraCrystal red shrimp should only be kept in a single-species tank.Avoid
- Harlequin rasboraCrystal red shrimp should only be kept in a single-species tank.Avoid
- Fancy guppyCrystal red shrimp should only be kept in a single-species tank.Avoid
- Panda corydorasCrystal red shrimp should only be kept in a single-species tank.Avoid
- OtocinclusCrystal red shrimp should only be kept in a single-species tank.Avoid
- Cherry shrimpCrystal red shrimp should only be kept in a single-species tank.Avoid
How we check
The numbers the tank model uses for crystal red shrimp: water as ideal and tolerated ranges, bioload from adult mass, space, flow and how they act on other species.
- Standard length
- 3 cm (body)
- Adult mass
- 0.16 g
- Bioload at 25 °C
- 0.15 BU
- Min. water
- 19 L net
- Group
- 10+ (best 20)
- Swims in
- bottom
- Flow
- low
- Body / fins
- invertebrate, normal fins
- Diet type
- detritivore
- Fin nipper
- none
- Sensitive to
- copper, salt, nitrate
Sources: ShrimpScience: Crystal Red Shrimp
Care notes
Crystal red shrimp are a Taiwanese selectively bred form, about 1 inch long. Crystal blacks are the same shrimp, and they crossbreed with other Caridina such as tigers.
Aim for pH 5.5–7.0, GH 4–6, KH 0–2 and TDS 100–180 in a mature tank, ideally 10 gallons or more. They handle nitrates and copper poorly, and small fish will eat the young.
Questions
What size tank does a crystal red shrimp need?
At least 6 gallons (19 litres of water after decor). Adults reach about 1.2 inches without fins.
How many crystal red shrimp should be kept together?
Keep at least 10, ideally 20 or more: fewer feel exposed and hide or turn nippy.
What water do crystal red shrimp need?
68–77 °F, pH 5.5–7 and 4–6 dGH. Crystal red shrimp come from Taiwan (selectively bred form).
How long do crystal red shrimp live?
1–2 years with good care.
What fish can live with crystal red shrimp?
Good tank mates include Bladder snail, Malaysian trumpet snail, Mystery snail, Ramshorn snail and Colombian ramshorn. Each is checked both ways for size, fin nipping, temperament, territory and shared water.