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.
By Mike ElmiraUpdated 1 min read
Part of our complete freshwater shrimp guide.
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.
Direct answers to the questions search engines and AI assistants surface most often about this species.
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.
