Creating high-quality Crystal Red Shrimp is easy if you follow a few simple rules. Keep the aquarium water healthy with regular water changes, a stable pH, and plenty of hiding spots.
When a female shrimp is ready to breed she will hide and release pheromones that signal the male to find her. They will then mate and she will carry the fertilized eggs until they hatch.
1. Keep the Temperature Optimal
Crystal Red Shrimp (CRS) are a very popular species of freshwater shrimp due to their vivid shade combinations and striking appearance. These caridina shrimp have gained immense popularity among aquarists, with collectors willing to spend hundreds of dollars on a single high-grade specimen.
As such, breeding and caring for these unique freshwater inverts has become a big business in the shrimp hobby. However, like any other species of freshwater fish or invert, proper care and feeding is essential to maintain health and ensure successful breeding.
Keeping a stable aquarium temperature is essential for the breeding of CRS. The ideal aquarium water temperature for these freshwater shrimp is between 68 and 74 °F (20 and 23 °C). This range provides the optimal environment for breeding CRS. This is because these temperatures are able to support the growth and development of eggs as well as promote good sexing. Overly warm or cool water temperatures can increase the risk of bacterial infections in the aquarium and also decrease egg survivability.
In the wild, CRS are scavengers that feed on a variety of plants and organic matter. Therefore, they are not picky when it comes to the type of aquarium tank food they will eat. They can be fed with various types of commercial fish foods and also supplemental shrimp pellets. However, a diet rich in vegetables is preferred. This will ensure proper nutrition and help to keep the tank clean and free of ammonia.
Crystal red shrimp are eager breeders given the right conditions. They require comfortable water parameters and a well-stocked aquarium with plenty of hiding places. They are a prey animal and stress levels will be higher if they do not have an adequate amount of places to hide. They should also be able to easily access a safe place for molting as these events can cause stress.
Keeping these shrimp in a community tank can be possible as long as other aquarium inhabitants do not pose a threat to them. This means that the aquarium must be stocked with non-aggressive and prey-safe fish such as small tetras or dwarf rasboras. The aquarium should also be equipped with ample surface areas for biofilm to grow on.
2. Keep the pH Optimal
Crystal red shrimp (Caridina cantonensis) are an exciting aquarium species for all aquarists. The striking candy cane pattern and vibrant red base color makes them a showstopper in any tank. They are also very peaceful and have many fascinating behaviors including molting. They are relatively easy to care for, but have specific water parameters that must be met. This makes them more suited for experienced aquarists.
The most important parameter for a successful breeding environment is the pH value. This must be kept below seven. It is possible to achieve this with the right substrate. Rob from Flip Aquatics recommends Fluval and Brightwell substrates as they do not buffer as much as other substrates do, which allows the natural pH to remain lower.
Using RO or reverse osmosis water is crucial to keeping the pH in the optimal range. Adding a remineralizer that only increases the GH (general hardness) but not the KH (carbonate hardness) is also important. There are many products on the market that will do this. Just be sure to read the label carefully and choose one that does not contain any dissolved calcium or magnesium, as these can interfere with molting and depress the GH level.
Crystal Red Shrimp are very sensitive to water changes. It is recommended that they are kept in a fully cycled aquarium and to avoid large, infrequent water changes as these will cause stress on the shrimp. A weekly maintenance routine of a 30% water change and a thorough cleaning is ideal. This helps reduce nitrate levels, replenishes minerals and dechlorinates the tank.
It is also beneficial to add live plants to the aquarium as this provides hiding places, grazing areas and improves water quality. However, it is essential to ensure that the plants are 100% shrimp safe as some can be predators on the shrimp. Snails and other aquatic plants that do not prey on the shrimp are good tank mates.
Crystal Red Shrimp are social animals and should be kept in groups. This will help them feel safe and secure, reducing stress, as well as helping to stimulate breeding. The ideal group size is 8-10, with at least 5 in order to begin the molting process.
3. Keep the Water Hardness Optimal
Crystal red shrimp (CRS) add a pop of color to your aquarium. Also known as “red bee shrimp”, they are a member of the Caridina cf. cantonensis variety of freshwater shrimp. These shrimp are a little more advanced than other freshwater shrimp but can be kept by beginning aquarists with a bit of patience and knowledge. They thrive in well-established aquariums that mimic their natural habitat and require specific water values. Learn about their optimum temperature range, tank filtration and substrate options, along with proper feeding, molting, and social interactions.
These transparent invertebrates are tinted with red and white stripes, and the color intensity can vary. They are omnivores in the wild and spend most of their time foraging on algae and aufwuchs, but can easily be fed high-quality shrimp food as a staple. They are sensitive to changes in water parameters and should be fed sparingly, about once per day.
CRS are a little more demanding than other Neocaridina species like Cherry Shrimp, and their water values must be stable. They should be housed in groups and provided with an appropriate aquarium setup that includes plenty of hiding places, plants, and an active substrate. While they can coexist with other shrimp species and some peaceful fish, their fragile nature makes them best housed in a dedicated, separate aquarium.
A good kh level of around 7.0 is optimal for breeding, although this can be difficult to achieve in the home aquarium. It is important to keep nitrates as low as possible, and weekly 30% water changes are recommended. These changes help reduce nitrates and replenish minerals. It is also a good idea to dechlorinate any freshwater that you use for your aquarium.
There are several different grading levels for Crystal Red shrimp, with higher grades commanding significantly higher prices. The most common are A, S, and SS. The difference between these is that S-grades have less clearly defined red bands, and S+ and SS-grade shrimp have better color solidity and extra whites.
Some hobbyists breed their own CRS to increase the quality and variety of their stock, and a growing number of online retailers sell high-grade breeding pairs. However, many beginners find these shrimp too expensive to be worth the effort. This is a shame, as they can be a beautiful addition to any aquarium, and are well-worth the initial investment if you know what you’re doing.
4. Keep the Feeding Frequency Optimal
Crystal Red Shrimp are among the most popular and attractive aquarium shrimps due to their bold red colour contrasted with white stripes. They are classified according to a seven-grade system (C, B, A, S, S+, SS and SSS). The higher the grade, the rarer and more expensive the shrimp.
Breeding Crystal Red Shrimp is easy if you provide the right conditions. The aquarium water should be slightly acidic and soft and the temperature is best kept at about 21-23 degC. They breed more frequently and produce healthier babies at lower temperatures than at warmer ones. The eggs are carried underneath the female for a month, and the baby shrimp are born as miniature replicas of their parents.
To help the shrimp thrive, add a bit of substrate to their tank. This gives the shrimp a natural environment and helps them get rid of harmful ammonia and nitrate. It also provides a habitat for bacteria that will grow algae and feed the shrimp. Some of the best types of substrates are Ohko, Ryuoh, Seiryu, and Yamaya. Add some rocks and driftwood, too, which creates hiding places for the shrimp and can also help reduce the aquarium’s PH level.
These shrimp are omnivorous and will eat most things they can find in their tank, including plant matter, biofilm, and thawed frozen food. It is a good idea to supplement their diet with high-quality shrimp pellets and algae wafers, though. It is important to remove any uneaten food from the tank within a few hours so the shrimp can continue to forage for food.
It is a good idea to keep your Crystal Red Shrimp in a single-species setup so they can breed freely and feel safe from predators. However, if you do decide to add fish species to the tank, make sure to choose small and peaceful ones, such as Otocinclus and Pygmy Corydoras. They are the most suitable tank mates for breeding Crystal Red Shrimp, since they won’t prey on the young or fry.
Once the shrimp are accustomed to their new home, they should start breeding right away. They are eager breeders given comfortable water parameters and a good food source.
