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Indian Zebra Shrimp
Caridina babaulti
📍 India
Indian Zebra Shrimp are attractive freshwater shrimp with distinctive striped patterning, making them popular among aquarists seeking colorful invertebrates. They are hardy, peaceful scavengers that thrive in established tanks with plenty of biofilm and algae. These shrimp are excellent for planted aquariums and community setups, though they require stable water parameters and copper-free environments.
Care Guide
Diet
Indian Zebra Shrimp are detritivores that feed primarily on biofilm, algae, and decaying plant matter in the tank. Supplement with high-quality shrimp pellets, blanched vegetables (zucchini, spinach, carrot), and algae wafers 2-3 times weekly. A mature, established tank with abundant biofilm is essential for their long-term health.
Behavior
These shrimp are active bottom-dwellers that spend most of their time grazing on surfaces and foraging for food. They are social and do best in small groups or colonies, displaying minimal aggression toward one another. They molt regularly as they grow; provide plenty of hiding spots with plants and driftwood to help them feel secure during vulnerable molting periods.
Breeding
Indian Zebra Shrimp breed readily in freshwater without requiring brackish conditions, making them excellent for home aquariums. Females produce small batches of shrimplets that develop fully in freshwater, though survival rates are higher in established tanks with abundant food sources. A mature tank with stable parameters and good biofilm production supports natural breeding.
Tank Mates
Peaceful algae-eater that shares similar biofilm-grazing habits and water parameter preferences
Compatible shrimp species with similar care requirements; can be housed together without conflict
Small, peaceful fish that will not predate on adult shrimp; avoid with shrimplets
Tiny, non-aggressive fish that coexist peacefully with shrimp colonies
Provides shelter, biofilm production, and grazing surfaces essential for shrimp health
Hardy plant that creates hiding spots and supports biofilm growth without being uprooted by shrimp
Common Diseases
Copper Toxicity
Lethargy, loss of color, molting difficulties, sudden death; caused by copper in medications or tap water
Use only copper-free medications and treatments; perform water changes with dechlorinated water; use RO water if tap water contains copper; remove affected shrimp to copper-free tank immediately
Molting Issues / Shell Erosion
Difficulty shedding exoskeleton, soft or pitted shell, incomplete molts, shrimp stuck in old shell
Ensure adequate calcium and minerals through quality shrimp food and mineral supplements; maintain stable pH (6.5-8.0) and hardness (4-8 dGH); provide plenty of hiding spots; avoid sudden water parameter changes
Bacterial Infection / Fungus
White fuzzy growth on body or appendages, discoloration, lethargy, loss of appetite
Perform 25% water change immediately; increase aeration; remove uneaten food and decaying matter; maintain pristine water quality; isolate severely affected shrimp; avoid copper-based treatments
Parasitic Flukes
Excessive grooming, visible parasites on body, lethargy, difficulty molting, reduced feeding
Perform frequent partial water changes (25% every 2-3 days); increase aeration; use copper-free parasite treatments if available; quarantine new shrimp before adding to main tank; maintain optimal water parameters
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Quick Facts
- diet
- Omnivore/detritivore - primarily algae, biofilm, and decaying plant matter
- lifespan
- 2-3 years
- max size
- 4 cm (1.5 in)
- tank size
- 10 gallons minimum
- temperament
- peaceful
Water it likes
- ph
- 6.5-8.0
- ammonia
- 0 ppm
- nitrate
- <20 ppm
- hardness
- 4-8 dGH
- temperature
- 68–79°F (20–26°C)