Shrimp Name: Green Shrimp (Caridina sp.) (High Order)

Origin: India

Description: When fully mature, I average a size range of 2.5-3.5cm. I have a light green coat with a white stripe that runs down from top to bottom. I greener when my habitat conditions are met, and If I am not content, I start losing my color. Rumours have been swirling that the green shrimp is the Dark Green shrimp (Caridina sp). We are not the same I tell you, we might be related as we are all dwarf shrimp and there is a possibility of cross-breeding, but that is all. So, believe me when I say we are not the same. Back to talking about myself, as I was saying, I am not very active and I am often shy, that is why I like a well planted tank with some hiding spaces. I am a scavenger and I like to move around looking for food particles like flake food, pellets, biofilm and algae. Despite being a scavenger this does not mean I will shy away from any reasonable handouts like the above mentioned foods.

Water Parameters: I prefer temperature ranges between 68 – 82 °F with a pH of 6.7 – 7.5. Slightly acidic water is preferable. I am sure you have already been advised that the biggest and most important facet to our survival is clean water. If you want me to be in your tank, make sure that you are committed to regular water changes.

Sexing: Generally, the female dwarf shrimp are much larger and plumper than the skinny males. Am I saying I am a male shrimp? I refuse to dignify that with a response. As I was saying, our females are also greener than the males, like the color distinction between the female red cherry shrimp and their male counterparts. You can never second guess yourself when I am pregnant, especially with the presence of lime green eggs. I hope you have not forgotten that I AM SHRIMP, THEREFORE I can choose to be the male or female anytime I want. I bet you are confused now. I am not asexual if that is what you are thinking.

Breeding: Keep my water clean and water parameters optimum and you will see me multiply ten fold. When the young are born, the colors are not strong enough. As they mature they will eventually become greener. Talk about metamorphosis, I am shrimp after all. Before I forget, I do not have a planktonic stage, I am of the high order and my mini-me is a smaller representation of my larger self. Good and healthy numbers of both sexes should be present in order for breeding to occur.

Compatibility: Like most of my kindred, I am not aggressive and can be housed with other smaller fish. But if you really want to see my shrimplets go through a metamorphosis, then I suggest a sole tank dedicated to me. As I am of the Caridina species, I might not be compatible with the following: Bee, Black Tiger, Blue Bee, Blue Tiger, Bumblebee, Crystal, Golden Bee, (Malaya), Orange Bee, Red Tiger, (Stripe), Tiger, White Bee and Dark Green shrimp

Note Bene. In order to find out whether the different species will cross-breed or not a controlled experiment should be conducted. The experiment should be confined to a space that does not house a majority of any of these shrimp; otherwise you are going to have a headache.