Caridina dennerli
An expert-only shrimp: deep red body, white legs, and white antennae like a tiny cardinal. Requires high pH, warm water, and high mineral content — the inverse of Crystal Red shrimp chemistry. Single-species biotope tanks only.
Sulawesi Cardinal Shrimp (Caridina dennerli) reaches 1.5–2 cm and needs a minimum tank of 40 L with a colony of 10+. Native to Lake Matano, Sulawesi (Indonesia). Aim for 26–30 °C, pH 7.5–8.5, 6–12 dGH, and 150–250 ppm TDS. Lifespan: 1–1.5 years. Breeding: hard — requires sulawesi-spec water and stable parameters. Diet: omnivore / detritivore (biofilm-focused), Biofilm and softened algae wafer. Live in mineral-rich Sulawesi lake water. Plant-safe: Yes. Tank-mates: Species-only tank recommended — almost no fish coexist safely.
Care at a glance
An expert-only shrimp: deep red body, white legs, and white antennae like a tiny cardinal. Requires high pH, warm water, and high mineral content — the inverse of Crystal Red shrimp chemistry. Single-species biotope tanks only.
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The parameters that decide whether sulawesi cardinal shrimp fits in your tank.
10+
Omnivore / detritivore (biofilm-focused)
Biofilm and softened algae wafer. Live in mineral-rich Sulawesi lake water.
Hard — requires Sulawesi-spec water and stable parameters
1–1.5 yrs
Lake Matano, Sulawesi (Indonesia)
Lake Matano, Sulawesi (Indonesia)
Tank-mate safety and the species this one is documented to thrive (or fail) alongside.
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Minimum tank: 40 L with a colony of 10+. Sulawesi Cardinal Shrimp (Caridina dennerli) reach 1.5–2 cm as adults.
Target 26–30 °C, pH 7.5–8.5, 6–12 dGH, and 150–250 ppm TDS. Mature, cycled, low-nitrate water is non-negotiable.
Tank-mate notes: Species-only tank recommended — almost no fish coexist safely. Plant safety: Yes.
Breeding: Hard — requires Sulawesi-spec water and stable parameters. In a stable colony of 10+ adults you will see berried females naturally once parameters and food are right.
Diet: omnivore / detritivore (biofilm-focused), Biofilm and softened algae wafer. Live in mineral-rich Sulawesi lake water. Algae-eating rating: 3/5.
Typical lifespan: 1–1.5 years.
A planted tank is a system. Pair this shrimp with one entry from each other pillar to plan the whole scape.
