Key Features:

Distinctive Appearance: Known for its striking red and white banded pattern, often with high-grade specimens showing crisp, solid white sections and deep red coloration. Its small, translucent body and clean patterning make it one of the most visually iconic freshwater shrimp in the aquarium hobby.

Peaceful Cleaner Behavior: A calm, constantly active shrimp that grazes on biofilm, algae, and detritus. It plays an important role in maintaining tank cleanliness while adding strong visual contrast in planted aquariums.

Care Requirements:

Tank Conditions: Requires a stable, mature aquarium with very clean water and minimal fluctuations. Ideal water temperature should range between 64–74°F (18–23°C). Prefers soft, slightly acidic water with low general hardness and benefits from mosses, driftwood, and gentle filtration.

Diet: Omnivorous, feeding on biofilm, algae, high-quality shrimp pellets, blanched vegetables, and occasional protein-based foods such as micro-wafers or specialized shrimp diets.

Compatibility: Peaceful and best kept in shrimp-only or shrimp-safe nano community tanks. Should not be housed with large or predatory fish. Tank mates must be carefully chosen to avoid stress or predation.

Size and Growth:

Adult Size: Can grow up to 1–1.2 inches (2.5–3 cm) in length.

Growth: Slow to moderate growth, with successful molting and development highly dependent on stable water parameters and mineral balance.

Overview:

Caridina cantonensis Crystal Red are one of the most popular ornamental freshwater shrimp varieties, prized for their vivid red-and-white patterns and delicate beauty. They are best suited for intermediate to advanced aquarists who can maintain stable, soft, low-TDS water conditions in a well-established shrimp aquarium.