The mesmerizing Crystal Red Shrimp (Caridina cantonensis var. Crystal Red) is a beloved freshwater shrimp species that will enhance the beauty of your planted aquarium. These peaceful scavengers thrive in pristine water conditions and enjoy coexisting with other caridina shrimp species and fish.
They are efficient algae grazers and appreciate high-quality dried foods such as sinking pellets, flake food, and algae wafers. Crystal Reds can also breed in their display tank as long as they are kept away from predatory fish that might eat the baby shrimp, according to a staff member at rareshrimp.com.
1. Super Red Crystal Shrimp
Crystal Red Shrimp (CRS) are the most popular and sought-after variety of the Caridina cantonensis species. Their vibrant red coloration with white or transparent stripes creates a unique look that fascinates many aquarists. Although CRS are not suitable for beginners due to their fragile nature and high market prices, they can be a rewarding addition to any aquarium when kept under optimal conditions.
The first step in keeping CRS is selecting an aquarium that is optimally sized for the shrimps’ size and habitat requirements. It must also be fully cycled with clean water that has been treated with a quality dechlorinator and hardening salt especially for shrimps. The ideal pH range for CRS is between 6.2 and 7.2.
Like all bee shrimps, CRS are omnivorous and will feed on any organic matter found in the tank. A good supplement of high-quality shrimp foods, blanched vegetables and (thawed) frozen food is recommended to ensure a balanced diet. CRS can be sensitive to overfeeding so it is recommended to only offer the amount of food that can be consumed within a few hours. It is also important to remove any uneaten food timely in order to avoid ammonia and nitrate spikes.
In the wild, CRS are typically found in small, very clean and oxygenated streams with cool water. In the early 90s, a Japanese hobbyist Hisayasu Suzuki discovered CRS in his aquarium. He then started to cultivate them further, resulting in the CRS that we know today.
The breeding goal of CRS is to obtain a flat and opaque red coloration with a small amount of white. For this reason, the breeders are constantly evaluating and grading the coloration of their shrimps. Depending on the degree of white, the color solidity and certain patterns, shrimps can be graded as A-, S-, or S+.
Using a dark substrate is preferred for this variety as it helps to protect the shrimps’ colors from light. It is also important to choose a substrate that is suited for the shrimps’ grazing behavior, which requires a lot of surface area.
2. Cherry Red Crystal Shrimp
If you want to add a candy cane stripe of colour to your aquarium, then the Cherry Red Crystal Shrimp (CRS) is for you. These dwarf Caridina cf. cantonensis varieties are very forgiving when it comes to water conditions and can be kept by beginners. They are highly omnivorous, consuming both plant matter and the biofilm that naturally grows on all tank surfaces. You can supplement their diet by feeding them blanched vegetables or thawed frozen shrimp food. They moult frequently, displaying perfectly formed shrimp casings on the substrate once they are ready to shed.
As the name suggests, Cherry Red Crystal Shrimp are a colour variant of the wild black and white bee shrimp (Caridina cantonensis). Their story began in 1993 when Japanese breeder Hisayasu Suzuki discovered a single red-striped bee shrimp amongst his colony. The coloured mutant was then repeatedly crossed and backcrossed with the original bee shrimp to create the CRS variety we know today. Unlike the more robust Cherry shrimp (Neocaridina davidi), CRS are sensitive to their environment and have much more specific requirements regarding water parameters.
The intensity of their coloration is also impacted by the tank substrate, lighting, and background colour. In a dark-coloured tank, for example, the shrimp will be more translucent while in a lighter one they become fuller and more vibrant. A grading system has been established over the years that distinguishes the different levels of transparency, colour intensity and amount of white spots – with the higher grades commanding quite astonishing prices from some breeders.
CRS are eager breeders once they have comfortable water parameters, so once you can get them to pair up, you should find that the eggs will start hatching naturally. Males and females can be separated out once they reach sexual maturity as the males have a rounder underside while the females have a yellow saddle shape on their upper body where the eggs are stored before fertilization.
Optimal water conditions for breeding CRS include a pH level of 6.5-7.5, and a stable temperature range. Ammonia and nitrite levels should be at 0ppm while nitrate should be lower than 20ppm. Water changes of at least 30% once a week are essential to keep the water parameters stable and prevent stress.
3. Dwarf Crystal Shrimp
Originally bred in Japan for their red coloration the Dwarf Crystal Shrimp is one of the most popular varieties worldwide. These acrobatic freshwater shrimp can add an amazing splash of vibrant red and white to your aquarium. They are non-aggressive and enjoy grazing on algae from aquarium plants, decorations and substrate. In their natural habitat they are commonly seen in large groups grazing together on the forest floor of Southeast Asia where they were first discovered.
The Dwarf Crystal Shrimp (Caridina cantonensis) reaches around 1 to 1.5 inches (2 to 3.8 centimeters) when fully grown. This means they are suitable for most tanks. As with all dwarf shrimp they are very peaceful and won’t harm any tankmates, however they are quite vulnerable and can easily fall prey to hungry fish. That’s why many owners choose to set up a dedicated shrimp-only aquarium. It is also possible to combine them with other peaceful shrimp species or inverts like nerite snails, but make sure you check that they are compatible.
Crystal Reds have a wide range of water parameters they prefer, but they are generally less demanding than the wild Bee shrimp species and most hobbyists find them easy to care for. They do best in slightly acidic water with temperatures around the tropical mark. They also require an abundance of dissolved oxygen in the water as they breed. That makes a well-established planted tank with a good substrate mix a must. A quality plant substrate such as ADA Amazonia or UpAqua is perfect for these shrimp as they will release natural buffers into the water to keep it at a healthy 6.2-7.2 pH.
These shrimp will lay eggs in a number of ways depending on their species and their color pattern. In general, a female will hold the eggs between their back legs until they hatch into tiny shrimplets, similar to how some other freshwater shrimp breed. They will then be able to release the fry into their aquarium without any further intervention.
As with all freshwater aquarium shrimp, regular partial water changes will help to reduce nitrates and maintain proper levels of minerals. Ideally, these water changes should be done once or twice a week. It is also recommended to dechlorinate any water added to the aquarium.
4. White Crystal Shrimp
Crystal Red Shrimp are a truly mesmerizing sight, their bright red base colour is beautifully contrasted with white stripes that add a unique touch to any aquarium. They are very peaceful and can coexist with other tank mates like snails, Neocaridina shrimp or Thai micro crabs (as long as they don’t predate on the shrimp). The variety of different colour forms is what has really made this species so popular. The various gradings are also very appealing to the hobbyist. These range from C, A, S, SS and S+. It is important to familiarise yourself with the grading system and understand what it means before purchasing Crystal Reds as this can make a difference to how well they thrive.
Crystal reds are very sensitive and need a high level of care to ensure that they thrive. They require soft water and a rich substrate with lots of hiding places. They cannot tolerate a lot of dissolved calcium and magnesium so it is important to use reverse osmosis water or there are special remineralisers on the market that only increase the GH value of the water, without adding any KH which would be harmful to their molting process.
It is also important to feed them a plant-based diet. They are very fond of nibbling growth from the surfaces in their aquarium and a good way to start is by offering them brown autumn leaves. In addition to this, scalded nettle or spinach and green dried walnut leaves are excellent protein sources. Providing these in small quantities twice a week will provide your shrimps with all the nutrients they need.
Sexing is fairly simple once the shrimps reach maturity. The females will display a saddle formation on the upper part of their body behind their head, where they store eggs for fertilization. They will also appear slightly larger in size.
As with most freshwater shrimps, the Crystal Red is a typical omnivore and will eat almost anything that is offered to it. However, it is best to avoid overfeeding as this can contaminate the water and cause algae problems. The shrimps should only be fed what they can finish within a couple of hours, leaving food sitting for too long can lead to a build up of ammonia in the aquarium.
