Crystal red shrimp
Caridina cantonensis
intermediate careOverview
Crystal red shrimp (Caridina cantonensis) are the striking red-and-white “bee” shrimp prized by dedicated shrimp keepers. They’re graded by pattern intensity and are more demanding than Neocaridina: get the water right and they’re a rewarding, breedable colony; get it wrong and they fade fast. Treat them as a step up once you’ve mastered easier shrimp. Many keepers move to crystal reds after a successful Neocaridina colony, using the confidence and the routine of stable water changes they’ve already built to meet the tighter demands of these bee shrimp.
Tank & water
A 38 litre (10 gallon) planted tank gives the stability a colony needs. Water quality is everything here:
- Soft, acidic water — pH 5.8–6.8, low GH/KH, usually RO water remineralised with a shrimp-specific product.
- Active soil substrate — a buffering aquasoil holds the pH down; see best substrate for shrimp.
- A mature, cycled tank — cycle fully and add shrimp only to established, stable water.
- No copper, ever — lethal to all shrimp; check medication and fertiliser labels.
Feeding
Crystal reds are omnivores that graze biofilm and algae. A mature planted tank feeds them much of the time; supplement lightly two or three times a week with a quality shrimp food, specialist biofilm powders or blanched vegetables. Overfeeding fouls the soft water they depend on, so err on the side of less. Consistency helps too: feed small amounts on a regular schedule rather than large occasional meals, which keeps the water stable and lets the colony graze steadily on biofilm between feeds.
Tankmates & breeding
Keep crystal reds in a species-only tank for best results — they’re small, delicate and easily out-competed or eaten. In stable soft, acidic water they breed readily in freshwater, females carrying eggs until fully formed shrimplets hatch. Dense moss and plants give the young the biofilm and cover they need.
See the best shrimp tank and compare with beginner-friendly cherry shrimp.
Crystal red shrimp — frequently asked questions
Why are crystal red shrimp harder than cherry shrimp?
They're Caridina, not Neocaridina. Crystal reds need soft, acidic, low-mineral water (often made with RO water remineralised for shrimp) sitting on an active buffering substrate. They're far less forgiving of hard tap water and parameter swings, so they suit a keeper with some experience.
What water do crystal red shrimp need?
Soft and acidic: pH around 5.8–6.8, low GH/KH, and clean, stable, well-cycled water. Most keepers use RO water with a shrimp-specific remineraliser over an active soil substrate that lowers pH. Consistency matters more than chasing an exact number.
Do crystal red shrimp breed in freshwater?
Yes — unlike Amano shrimp, Caridina bee shrimp breed fully in freshwater. In stable soft, acidic water a healthy colony reproduces steadily, with females carrying eggs under the tail until miniature shrimp hatch. Good water and biofilm are the keys to shrimplet survival.
Found your model? Buy it at the right price.
UniverTrack tracks the real price of your aquarium gear across several retailers, spots fake discounts and warns you when it's genuinely the right moment to buy — with an AI assistant to guide you.