Care specifications
| Type | Shrimp |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Advanced |
| Max size | 1.2 in |
| Lifespan | 1–2 years |
| Temperature | 65–74 °F |
| pH | 5.8–6.8 |
| General hardness | 4–6 dGH |
| Calcium needs | Medium |
| Minimum tank size | 10 gallons |
| Diet | Biofilm, Specialty shrimp foods, Blanched vegetables, Leaf litter |
| Roles | Showpiece, Algae eater |
| Plant safe | Yes |
| Betta compatible | No |
| Breeds in freshwater | Yes |
| Population growth | Slow |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
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Frequently asked questions
Can I keep crystal red shrimp in tap water like cherry shrimp?
Almost never. Most tap water is too hard and too alkaline, and CRS decline in it within weeks to months. The standard recipe is RO water remineralized with a GH+ product to 4–6 dGH, zero KH, and a buffering soil substrate that holds pH around 6.0–6.5.
Can crystal red shrimp live with cherry shrimp?
They will not interbreed — Caridina and Neocaridina are different genera — but their preferred water barely overlaps: CRS want soft and acidic, cherries want moderately hard and neutral. A compromise around GH 6 and pH 6.8 keeps both alive, but each breeds best in its own tank.
Why do my CRS keep dying after molting?
Molt deaths in Caridina almost always mean mineral imbalance — usually KH above zero fighting the buffering substrate, or GH outside the 4–6 range. Test GH and KH directly rather than guessing from pH, and drip-acclimate any new shrimp over hours, not minutes.
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