Shrimp

Shrimp for the planted tank.

10 species profiled, Neocaridina colour morphs through Caridina specialists like Crystal Red and Blue Bolt, plus filter-feeding bamboo shrimp and the legendary Amano algae crew. Colony minimums, TDS targets, lineage, and which fish they survive alongside.

Photo: Mate Molnar· Unsplash

10 of 10 shrimp

10of 10 shrimp

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Shrimp

Red Cherry Shrimp

Neocaridina davidi

The perfect beginner shrimp. Stable parameters matter more than perfect numbers. Calcium for moulting (cuttlebone, GH+, mineral stones) is essential.

BeginnerTaiwan (selectively bred)

Shrimp

Amano Shrimp

Caridina multidentata

The classic 'algae crew' shrimp Takashi Amano used. Larger and more visible than Neos. Will outgrow risk of being eaten by small tetras.

EasyJapan, Korea, Taiwan

Shrimp

Crystal Red Shrimp

Caridina cantonensis 'CRS'

Premium 'caridina' shrimp. Active soil (ADA Amazonia, UNS Controsoil) lowers pH and is effectively required. RO water + remineraliser is standard.

AdvancedSelectively bred from Hong Kong wild stock

Shrimp

Ghost / Glass Shrimp

Palaemonetes paludosus

Cheap and disposable in big pet stores but a legitimate keeper species. Larger ghost shrimp can occasionally nip small fish or other shrimp.

BeginnerEastern and Southern United States

Shrimp

Blue Dream Shrimp

Neocaridina davidi 'Blue Dream'

A deep solid-blue Neocaridina line. Care is identical to Red Cherry. Keep separated from other Neocaridina colour morphs to prevent reversion to wild grey.

BeginnerSelectively bred (Neocaridina lineage)

Shrimp

Yellow Neocaridina

Neocaridina davidi 'Yellow'

High-visibility colour, pops against dark substrate and green plants. Same easy care as Red Cherry.

BeginnerSelectively bred (Neocaridina lineage)

Shrimp

Bee Shrimp (wild)

Caridina cantonensis

The ancestor of CRS, Crystal Black, Taiwan Bees. Markings are less crisp than CRS but care is identical. Good gateway from Neocaridina to Caridina-keeping.

IntermediateSouthern China, Hong Kong

Shrimp

Bamboo / Wood Shrimp

Atyopsis moluccensis

Huge, gentle, fascinating shrimp. Needs strong flow and suspended food to filter, starves in a clean tank. Sits on hardscape and waves its fans into the current.

EasySoutheast Asia

Shrimp

Snowball Shrimp

Neocaridina palmata var.

Translucent white body with iconic white egg saddle. Same Neocaridina care profile as cherries; prefers slightly harder water than Caridina lines.

BeginnerSelectively bred (China)

Shrimp

Blue Bolt Shrimp

Caridina cantonensis 'Blue Bolt'

Taiwan Bee line with gradient blue/white head-to-tail. Pricier and more sensitive than CRS. Active soil + RO + remineraliser is the standard setup.

AdvancedSelectively bred (Taiwan Bee line)