Crystal Red Shrimp

The wild ancestor of the CRS shrimp lacks the typical red and white candy cane pattern: that wouldn’t be ideal for camouflage. Instead, it’s a duller, translucent sandy color with patterns of reddish-brown dots and dashes. This wild Caridina cantonensis is naturally found in southern China (Guangdong), Hong Kong, Taiwan and maybe also northern Vietnam.

In its natural habitat, this shrimp can be found in small mountain streams.

A large aquarium is not needed to keep CRS shrimp: a setup as small as 5 gallons (19L) can be enough to sustain a reasonably sized colony. Keep in mind, though, that these shrimp are quite sensitive, and larger tanks are easier to keep stable than smaller ones. Beginners especially might want to go for something around 10 gallons (38L) to make things a little easier.

Like all aquariums, a red bee shrimp tank needs to be filtered. For smaller tanks, a sponge filter might be a good option, as it gently filters the water and can’t accidentally suck up any baby shrimp. To keep an eye on your water values and cycle you’re also going to need a liquid water test kit. A heater is recommended; although these shrimp do well at room temperature, a thermostat heater can prevent any sudden fluctuations in temperature and help keep things as stable as possible.