Shrimp comparison
Babaulti Shrimp vs Sulawesi Cardinal Shrimp
How the Babaulti Shrimp and Sulawesi Cardinal Shrimp compare on care, size, water and temperament, and which shrimp suits your tank.
Updated
TL;DR, Babaulti Shrimp vs Sulawesi Cardinal Shrimp
The Babaulti Shrimp and the Sulawesi Cardinal Shrimp are close cousins, both in the Caridina group, so at a glance they ask for a lot of the same things. Both are happy somewhere around 26 to 28 °C and pH 7.5 to 7.8, so a single tank can suit either one. The Babaulti Shrimp is the more forgiving of the two, which matters if this is an early tank, while the Sulawesi Cardinal Shrimp rewards a bit more attention. Read the full care notes on each below and pick the one whose look and pace fit the tank you're building.
Group compatibility overview
Good fit
Workable as-is, only minor advisories to plan around.
1 warning · 1 note
Temperature
- Babaulti Shrimp20–28 °C
- Sulawesi Cardinal Shrimp26–30 °C
pH
- Babaulti Shrimp6.5–7.8
- Sulawesi Cardinal Shrimp7.5–8.5
Hardness
- Babaulti Shrimp4–10 dGH
- Sulawesi Cardinal Shrimp6–12 dGH
What to plan for
- Narrow pH overlapTarget pH is 7.5–7.8. Test weekly; use buffered substrate or remineraliser to keep it stable.
- Demanding species presentSulawesi Cardinal Shrimp are difficulty 4+. Stable parameters and weekly maintenance are non-negotiable.
Full attributes
Every parameter, side by side| Parameter |  ShrimpBabaulti ShrimpCaridina babaulti |  ShrimpSulawesi Cardinal ShrimpCaridina dennerli |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Shrimp | Shrimp |
| Origin | India and South Asia | Lake Matano, Sulawesi (Indonesia) |
| Temperature | 20–28 °C | 26–30 °C |
| pH | 6.5–7.8 | 7.5–8.5 |
| Hardness (dGH) | 4–10 | 6–12 |
| Flow rate | Low to Medium | Low |
| Min tank | 20 L | 40 L |
| Adult size | 2.5–3 cm | 1.5–2 cm |
| Difficulty | 2 / 5 | 5 / 5 |
| Lifespan | 1.5–2 yrs | 1–1.5 yrs |
| Diet | Omnivore / detritivore | Omnivore / detritivore (biofilm-focused) |
| Plant safe | Yes | Yes |
Frequently asked questions
Direct answers to the questions search engines and AI assistants surface most often about this species.
Can you keep Babaulti Shrimp and Sulawesi Cardinal Shrimp together?
Yes. Their temperature and pH ranges overlap around 26 to 28 °C and pH 7.5 to 7.8, so one set of water conditions keeps both comfortable. Match group sizes and cover the usual planted-tank basics and they share a tank fine.
Which is easier to keep, the Babaulti Shrimp or the Sulawesi Cardinal Shrimp?
The Babaulti Shrimp is the easier of the two, closer to beginner-friendly, while the Sulawesi Cardinal Shrimp leans expert-level.
Do Babaulti Shrimp and Sulawesi Cardinal Shrimp need the same water?
Close to it. Aim for 26 to 28 °C and pH 7.5 to 7.8 and you're in the shared sweet spot for both. Full ranges are in the table above.
What's the main difference between the Babaulti Shrimp and the Sulawesi Cardinal Shrimp?
It comes down to look, size and pace rather than one being flatly better. The table above lays the numbers out row by row.