Ornamental shrimp

Freshwater and marine crustaceans farmed for their bright colours. Neocaridina and Caridina are among the most popular inhabitants of nano aquariums.

Detailed explanation

Ornamental shrimp have revolutionized aquarium hobby in the last twenty years. Small, colourful, active, algophagous and relatively easy to breed, they have become the protagonists of thousands of nano aquariums.

Neocaridina davidi (Cherry Shrimp) are the easiest. They exist in dozens of colour varieties: red (Red Cherry), yellow (Yellow Fire), orange, blue (Blue Dream), black (Black Rose). They tolerate a wide range of parameters (pH 6.5-8.0, GH 6-15, temperature 18-28°C) and reproduce easily in the aquarium.

Caridina (like Crystal Red, Crystal Black, Taiwan Bee, Tiger) are more demanding. They require soft and acidic water (pH 5.5-6.5, GH 4-6, TDS 100-150) obtained with osmosis water remineralised with specific salts (GH+). Selected varieties such as Shadow Bee and Fancy Tiger reach remarkable prices.

Freshwater shrimp are very sensitive to copper. Even traces of copper in water (from pipes, medications, or fertilisers) can kill them. Be careful with fertilisers that contain copper: they must be used in very low doses.

In marine aquariums the most popular shrimps are Lysmata amboinensis (cleaner), Lysmata debelius (fire shrimp, bright red), Stenopus hispidus (boxer shrimp). Lysmata play an important role by cleaning fish from parasites.

Amano shrimp (Caridina multidentata) are the best freshwater algophages. They devour filamentous algae but do not reproduce in fresh water (the larvae require brackish water). Takashi Amano made them famous by using them in his aquascaping.

Moulting is a delicate time for shrimp. When they change their exoskeleton they are vulnerable and often hide. Good water mineralization (adequate GH) is essential for the formation of the new shell.

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