Crystal Red Shrimp

Looks how to spot one

Exoskeleton (dwarf freshwater shrimp)

A small shrimp banded in red and white. In lower grades the red is see-through and the white bands are thin; top grades are opaque with broad, bright white areas.41

Personality what they are like

A gentle, peaceful shrimp that keeps busy all day picking at surfaces for food. It is a quiet tank resident that does well among its own kind.42

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Constant scavenger; needs a tank with plenty of surfaces, moss and plants to explore.4

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Values clean, stable, soft water, so gentle routine water changes matter. Feed once a day in small amounts.24

Home where they are happiest

A tank of 10 US gallons (about 38 L) or more, at about 2 gallons per shrimp. Temperature roughly 20-27 C (about 24 C is ideal per Japanese Wikipedia); slightly acidic water, pH about 5.8-7.4. Hiding places are welcome.421

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Omnivore that grazes biofilm, algae and decaying plant matter. Shrimp pellets, frozen foods and blanched vegetables such as spinach make good extras.1324

Company who they like around

Usually kept as a species-only colony; a single-species tank also protects the babies.2

The story where it all began

Sushi chef and shrimp hobbyist Hisayasu Suzuki noticed red shrimp among his black bee shrimp and bred them into a stable line; sources date this to 1991 (Japanese Wikipedia) or 1996 (English and German Wikipedia). Shimizu Goldfish helped spread the shrimp across Japan, and it went on to become a worldwide hobby favourite.213

Recognised by the official bits

Taxonomy

Colour form of the bee shrimp, usually placed in Caridina logemanni or Caridina cantonensis; the species' exact status is still debated.3

Aquarium hobby

Sold by grade from C up to SSS, with Mosura as a top tier; higher grades show more solid white.4

Japanese pattern names

Pattern types include Hinomaru, Tiger, 3-stripe, 4-stripe, no-entry sign, Mosura and Snow White.2