Caridina mariae
Black-and-clear striped Caridina with orange eyes. Sits between Neocaridina (hardy) and Crystal Red shrimp (delicate) on the difficulty curve. Tolerates slightly harder water than Crystal Reds but still wants soft, cool, stable conditions to breed.
Tiger Shrimp (Caridina mariae) reaches 2.5–3 cm and needs a minimum tank of 30 L with a colony of 10+. Native to Southern China and Hong Kong. Aim for 18–24 °C, pH 6.0–7.5, 4–10 dGH, and 150–250 ppm TDS. Lifespan: 1.5 years. Breeding: medium — needs softer, slightly cooler water than neocaridina. Diet: omnivore / detritivore, Biofilm, algae wafer, blanched spinach, low-protein shrimp food. Plant-safe: Yes. Tank-mates: Nano fish only, dwarf rasboras, otocinclus.
Care at a glance
Black-and-clear striped Caridina with orange eyes. Sits between Neocaridina (hardy) and Crystal Red shrimp (delicate) on the difficulty curve. Tolerates slightly harder water than Crystal Reds but still wants soft, cool, stable conditions to breed.
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The parameters that decide whether tiger shrimp fits in your tank.
10+
Omnivore / detritivore
Biofilm, algae wafer, blanched spinach, low-protein shrimp food.
Medium — needs softer, slightly cooler water than Neocaridina
1.5 yrs
Southern China and Hong Kong
Southern China and Hong Kong
Tank-mate safety and the species this one is documented to thrive (or fail) alongside.
Weighing it against something similar? Compare Tiger Shrimp head to head:
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Minimum tank: 30 L with a colony of 10+. Tiger Shrimp (Caridina mariae) reach 2.5–3 cm as adults.
Target 18–24 °C, pH 6.0–7.5, 4–10 dGH, and 150–250 ppm TDS. Mature, cycled, low-nitrate water is non-negotiable.
Tank-mate notes: Nano fish only, dwarf rasboras, otocinclus. Plant safety: Yes.
Breeding: Medium — needs softer, slightly cooler water than Neocaridina. In a stable colony of 10+ adults you will see berried females naturally once parameters and food are right.
Diet: omnivore / detritivore, Biofilm, algae wafer, blanched spinach, low-protein shrimp food. Algae-eating rating: 3/5.
Typical lifespan: 1.5 years.
A planted tank is a system. Pair this shrimp with one entry from each other pillar to plan the whole scape.
