Care Requirements for Crystal Red Shrimp

Tank Setup

• A group of four to 10 crystal red shrimp can thrive in an aquarium as small as 5 gallons. If you plan on breeding them, you'll want a aquarium of at least 10 gallons. Whatever the size, their tank should be very densely planted to ensure that they feel safe. These shrimp also need an aquarium with very little water movement in order to thrive. They are too small to resist strong currents from filters and power heads.

Water Chemistry

• Crystal red shrimp can survive in a range of water conditions. They will do just fine in a tank with water from 60 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit. Around 75 degrees is ideal for them to thrive. The pH can range between 6 and 8, as long as it remains relatively stable. Above all, they need clean aquarium water, so make certain that you keep up on water changes and other maintenance.

Feeding

• Crystal red shrimp need frequent feedings since they have such small bodies. Feed them at least twice a day. They will readily eat fish flakes; if you keep these shrimp with fish, they can easily subsist on the flakes the fish miss. To give yourself a buffer, keep these shrimp in an aquarium with moss or other live aquarium plants. The shrimp will nibble on them. However, your plants are in no danger; these shrimp are so small that their herbivory will probably go unnoticed.

Compatibility

• Crystal red shrimp will not harm other fish. In terms of compatibility, the biggest concern is that other fish will pick on them. Even relatively peaceful fish like dwarf cichlids may nip off a crystal red shrimp's antennae. The safest option is to keep these shrimp in a tank of their own. However, extremely peaceful, small schooling fish like tetras or rasboras may make acceptable tank mates.