Name: Crystal Red shrimp/ CRS/ Red Bee (Caridina cf. cantonensis ‘Crystal Red’) (High Order)

Origin: Asia

Description: Crystal Red shrimp are a bred variant of the Bee shrimp. The Red and White coloration is a result of selective breeding. I come in shades of red and white and if I am an SSS type of Crystal Red shrimp; I am a Crystal White Shrimp or rather the rarest of them all. I am graded into 6 classifications, namely C, B, A, S, SS and SSS respectively. The higher my grade the whiter I am. My full maturation size averages 2.5 – 3.5cm. My life span is no different from the rest of the dwarf shrimp which average 1 – 2 years if properly taken care of. Like all dwarf shrimp I am a scavenger and like feasting detritus, algae in plants, flake food, and some dead leaves.

Water Parameters:  Because I am a Crystal Red shrimp, my water conditions deserve your utmost attention. In my case it is no longer just about regular water changes but checking to see whether I like the temperatures, optimum pH levels, non existent traces of ammonia and nitrites. I am that type of shrimp that needs to be constantly monitored.  I prefer pH levels of 6.2 – 7.2 and temperature variations of 20°C – 25°C will be adequate. Unlike hardy shrimp such as the Amano, I am quiet sensitive to sudden changes in water parameters. Soft to acidic water is the ideal breeding environment whereas in harder alkaline waters, I might not reproduce successfully.

Sexing: Although Crystal Red shrimp are difficult to sex, one can try to differentiate them by looking at some unique appearances. Females are slightly larger than males. In addition, females have predominantly larger scales on the abdomen. When berried the female’s ovaries are visible in the ‘head’ and back of the female.

Breeding: When eggs hatch the shrimplets are fully developed young adults without reproductive organs. In essence they are miniature adults. In order to successfully breed Crystal Red shrimp, lower temperatures are preferable as this will increase the chances of the shrimplets surviving.  The key to successfully breeding the Crystal Red shrimp is the water quality.

Compatibility: A small peaceful shrimp but would prefer not to be mixed with aggressive fish. I might not be compatible with the following: Bee, Black Tiger, Blue Bee, Blue Tiger, Bumblebee, Golden Bee, (Malaya), Orange Bee, Red Tiger, (Stripe), Tiger, White Bee and Dark Green shrimp