The popular freshwater shrimp species known as Crystal Red Shrimp, or CRS, is highly prized by aquarium lovers. These shrimp are renowned for their striking red and white coloration as well as their lively personality. We will go deeper into the interesting world of Crystal Red Shrimp in this topic, covering their requirements for care, breeding, and tanks in this article.
What Are Crystal Red Shrimp?
A distinctive and well-liked freshwater shrimp species that are indigenous to Taiwan is the crystal red shrimp (CRS). Because of their brilliant red coloring, which is highly sought by aquarists, they are also referred to as Red Bee Shrimp. CRS are a species of dwarf shrimp that reach lengths of up to 1.5 inches (4 cm) and are relatively simple to maintain and reproduce in aquariums.
A common species of dwarf shrimp for freshwater aquariums is the crystal red shrimp. Despite their diminutive size, they are nonetheless brimming with beauty. They’ve gained popularity in recent years, and shrimp lovers love them for their distinctive color and calm demeanor. Their “candy cane” bodies with contrasting white and red stripes make them easily recognizable. They contrast well with the tank’s background of lush greenery thanks to their vivid, bright colors.
Because they are a product of human manufacture, Crystal Red Shrimp are not found naturally. You must be mindful of grading when purchasing these shrimp. This score is used to describe a shrimp’s quality. According to common guidelines, the grade increases with whiteness and opacity. High grades include substantial white stripes on an opaque red background, while low grades are primarily translucent red. As you may anticipate, the cost of shrimp rises with grade. This is advantageous since you can choose shrimp that fit inside your spending limit. They will all look fantastic regardless of grade. The price might vary from $5 to $15 per person, depending on the different grades, which range from C to SSS.
Crystal Red Shrimp Vs. Cherry Shrimp
Freshwater shrimp, known as cherry shrimp (Neocaridina heteropoda var. red), is well-liked by aquarium hobbyists. They are small, often reaching lengths of 1-1.5 inches (2.5-3.8 cm), and are distinguished by their vivid red cherry coloring. Cherry shrimp are a well-liked option for newcomers to the hobby because they are extremely simple to maintain and propagate. They can aid in maintaining a thriving and balanced aquarium habitat and are also efficient cleaners.
Can crystal red shrimp live with cherry shrimp?
Yes, crystal red shrimp and cherry shrimp can live together as they are both peaceful and non-aggressive species. However, it’s important to note that crystal red shrimp require a more specific water parameter compared to cherry shrimp. Therefore, it’s recommended to keep them in a separate tank or provide a specific water condition that is suitable for both species. Additionally, larger shrimp may also compete with smaller ones for food, so it’s important to provide enough food for all shrimp in the tank.
Are they a bit more sensitive than cherry shrimp?
Yeah, it is generally agreed upon that crystal red shrimp are more sensitive than cherry shrimp. They are typically more expensive than cherry shrimp and have more specialized water requirements for growth. As long as their water needs are addressed, both varieties of shrimp can be kept together in the same tank. To ensure their health and well-being, it’s crucial to gradually adapt them to the tank environment and closely monitor the water quality.
Are Crystal Red Shrimp Hard To Nurturing?
Due to their unique water and food requirements, Crystal Red Shrimp (CRS) can be a little trickier to care for than regular freshwater aquarium shrimp. To keep their color and health, they also need a specialized diet that includes a range of algae, minerals, and vitamins. CRS can be effectively maintained and reproduced in an aquarium as long as their unique needs are satisfied. Important information can be found below.
What is the food for crystal red shrimp?
This little species is a scavenger omnivore that requires very little upkeep in terms of food. In actuality, controlling their diet is among the simplest aspects of taking care of Crystal Red shrimp.
The diet of red bee shrimp is comparable to that of most dwarf shrimp. As omnivores, they spend most of their time foraging and consuming everything they can find. They will eat algae and aufwuchs in the tank, but since the environment is too clean to support enough food, you will need to provide other options frequently.
Most of their day will be spent searching the tank for algae, plant debris, and edible bacteria. They are excellent filter feeders and can swim while catching floating food.
Despite the fact that these shrimp scavenge, it’s crucial to feed them every day. You can offer canned shrimp food. Typically, it comes as powder or pellets. Algae wafers also function nicely. You can even give out bits of blanched veggies if you like to go with the natural approach. Zucchini, broccoli, peas, romaine lettuce, and cucumbers are all favorites of shrimp.
You can feed your Crystal Reds once per day, though it’s a good idea to vary the frequency of feedings. They will eat a wide variety of meals because they are omnivores. So, try providing high-quality shrimp food as a mainstay and adding some variety with blanched vegetables and frozen items like bloodworms.
What is the best tank size for crystal red shrimp?
You should keep crystal red shrimp in a tank as small as 5 gallons. You can maintain a tiny colony. A red bee shrimp tank needs to be filtered, just like any other aquarium. A sponge filter can be a suitable choice for smaller tanks because it softly filters the water and won’t unintentionally suck up any newborn shrimp. You’ll also need a liquid water test kit to monitor your water parameters and cycle. The use of a heater is advised; even though these shrimp thrive at room temperature, a thermostat heater can help keep the environment as steady as possible by preventing any unexpected temperature changes.
When it comes to stabilizing and maintaining tank conditions, larger tanks typically make things simpler. You might as well accept all the assistance you can, given this species’ sensitivity!
Can crystal red shrimp live in hard water?
Crystal Red Shrimp require exceptionally clean water with very particular water conditions. These shrimp enjoy waters that are soft and acidic. They prefer temperatures between 70° and 78° F. Their water should have a pH range of 6.2–7.2, which is somewhat acidic. Nitrate levels must be as close to 0 ppm as practicable, with ammonia and nitrite levels also at 0 ppm (no more than 20 ppm). Every week, water should be changed by at least 30%, and before adding it to the aquarium, water should be dechlorinated. Frequent low-volume changes are better than rare high-volume changes since crystal red shrimp are sensitive to water changes. These shrimp are quite delicate, especially at higher grades, and need to be handled carefully.
Crystal Red Shrimp Breeding
It’s awesome that Crystal Red shrimp are simple to breed in captivity. These shrimp frequently reproduce on their own despite having a short lifespan. By doing this, you may maintain your collection without having to buy new specimens! When the temperature is around 78 degrees Fahrenheit, it’s more likely to breed crystal red shrimp time. If you feed them well, the females should soon begin bulging with eggs. Afterward, to signal to males that she is prepared to reproduce, she will discharge pheromones into the water so they can start breeding.
Eggs are laid by female shrimp, who then carry them under their bellies. She’ll keep them continually cooled off with her swimmerets. About 30 days pass before the eggs hatch. To improve hatchling survival chances, make sure you remove any fish and place a sponge on the filter. To feed them, you might offer shrimp food in powder form.
Crystal Shrimp Lifespan
When kept in captivity, the normal lifespan of a Crystal Red shrimp is just about 18 months. In an aquarium environment, these creatures don’t survive very long. With the right care, crystal red shrimp can live for 1.5 to 2 years in the right conditions.
How big can crystal red shrimp get?
When fully developed, crystal red shrimp, or CRS, are tiny invertebrates that measure roughly 1 to 1.5 inches (2.5 to 3.8 cm) in length. Due to their distinctive red and white coloring as well as their sociable and active nature, they are a well-liked species among aquarium aficionados.
What can cause crystal shrimp death?
Poor water quality, a lack of oxygen, overfeeding or underfeeding, abrupt changes in water parameters like pH or temperature, improper tank mates, illnesses or infections, stress from handling or transit, and many other conditions might result in the death of crystal red shrimp. Moreover, breeding might shorten the life span of the female shrimp and lead to stress. To protect the health and lifespan of the shrimp, it’s critical to monitor and maintain stable water conditions, offer suitable food and tank mates, and treat the shrimp with care.
How Much Does A Crystal Red Shrimp Cost?
A crystal red shrimp’s price varies according to its quality and the supplier. Shrimp that has been carefully selected for quality can range in price from $5 to $20 per shrimp, whereas shrimp that have been collected in the wild or at lower quality may be less expensive. Even more expensive, up to several hundred dollars per shrimp, are some rare types of crystal red shrimp. To guarantee the shrimp’s health and quality, make sure to buy from reliable vendors.
FAQs
Do crystal shrimp eat algae?
Yes, crystal shrimp are known to feed on algae in their natural habitat as well as in an aquarium setting. Algae, biofilm, and other organic debris are among the wide range of things they will eat because they are omnivorous. Crystal shrimp can add algae to their diet in a well-kept aquarium with sufficient sunlight, living plants, and naturally growing algae. It is nevertheless advised to provide them with a well-balanced diet that includes algal wafers, commercial shrimp pellets, and other items high in protein.
Do crystal shrimps eat babies?
Typically, crystal shrimp won’t eat their own young or those of other species. Yet, some crystal shrimp may turn to cannibalism and devour their young or other shrimp in the tank if they are not given enough food if the water quality is poor. Giving enough food and keeping the water in ideal condition can assist in stopping this tendency.
Do crystal red shrimp need a heater?
Yes. You might not require a heater for your crystal red shrimp tank if you are in a region where the average room temperature falls within this range. Nonetheless, a heater can be useful to maintain a constant and comfortable temperature for the shrimp if your room’s temperature varies or is outside of this range.
References:
- Caridina shrimp – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caridina
- Bee shrimp – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bee_shrimp
Annette M. Chaney is an experienced marine biologist with over 20 years of experience as an aquarist and fishkeeper. She started her first aquarium at a young age, filling it with frogs and goldfish obtained from the ten-cent pet store.
Annette grew up caring for and breeding African Cichlids, which led to a hobby in high school that doubled as a profitable means. Attending Reed College gave her time to solidify herself as an accomplished aquarium caretaker with an eye for sales. After that, from 2009 – 2013, she studied at Roger Williams University – one of the most prestigious universities for Aquaculture and Aquarium in USA. She is the founder of AquariumCircle since 2010.