About the species

Crystal Red - High is the classic red-and-white bee shrimp and one of the most iconic Caridina in the hobby. The High grade has broad, dense and sharply defined white bands against deep red. It needs soft, acidic water and stable values, but rewards you with a look few other shrimp can match.

Facts

• Latin name: Caridina cantonensis
• Common name: Crystal Red - High
• Size: Up to 3 cm
• Lifespan: 1.5–2 years

Behavior

Crystal Red - High is a peaceful and curious shrimp that grazes across the whole aquarium throughout the day. It thrives best in a group of at least ten and appreciates moss, leaf litter and plenty of hiding places.

Reproduction

• Females usually carry 20–30 eggs under the tail
• The eggs hatch after about 30 days as fully developed shrimplets
• Requires soft, acidic and very stable water in order to breed

Feeding

Crystal Red - High is an omnivore with a clear plant bias and feeds on:

• Biofilm
• Algae
• Decaying leaves and plant matter

Feel free to supplement with:

• A Caridina-specific shrimp food
• Catappa or mulberry leaves
• Protein food, sparingly

Aquarium

• Minimum aquarium size: 30 litres
• Substrate: Active soil (we use Environment Soil)

Difficulty level

🟡 Moderate

Recommendation

Crystal Red - High is our recommendation if you want to start with Caridina at a high grade. Set the aquarium up with active soil and remineralised RO water and let it mature properly before the shrimp move in. Small, regular water changes keep TDS stable and the colour dense.