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Pure Red Line Shrimp
Caridina cantonensis
Also known as PRL, PRL Shrimp, Pure Red Line, Pure Red Line Crystal Red, Pure Red Line CRS
Animalia›Arthropoda›Malacostraca›Decapoda›Atyidae
Variety of Crystal Red Shrimp · Pure Red Line
📍 Japan (captive developed)
Pure Red Line (PRL) shrimp are a line of Crystal Red Shrimp developed by Japanese breeders and kept pure — never crossed with golden bee or other coloured shrimp. They show deep red and thick, opaque white banding, graded from S up to SSS by how solid and bright the white is. Care is the same as for Crystal Reds: soft, slightly acidic water, stable cool temperatures, and a mature tank with no copper.
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Care Guide
Diet
Crystal red shrimp are omnivores that primarily graze on biofilm, algae, and decaying plant matter in the substrate and on hardscape. Supplement with high-quality shrimp-specific powdered foods (2-3 times weekly) and occasional blanched vegetables like zucchini or spinach. Avoid copper-containing foods and medications, as they are highly toxic to shrimp.
Behavior
Crystal red shrimp are peaceful, slow-moving foragers that spend most of their time grazing on substrate and plants. They are primarily nocturnal and will hide in dense vegetation or under hardscape during the day. Males are smaller and more active than females; they exhibit minimal aggression toward conspecifics but may compete for food.
Breeding
Breeding is moderately difficult and requires pristine water conditions with stable parameters (pH 5.8–6.8, TDS 100–150 ppm, temperature 20–24°C). Females carry eggs for 20–30 days before releasing fully-formed shrimplets; no parental care is needed. Success rates improve significantly in dedicated shrimp-only tanks with abundant biofilm and minimal disturbance.
Tank Mates
See all 6 →Peaceful algae grazer from a different genus, so it can't crossbreed with PRLs
Same species and same care — they will interbreed, so keep them apart if you want to keep the line pure
Tiny, peaceful algae eater that ignores shrimp and is happy in soft water
Grazes algae without competing with shrimp; needs some GH for its shell
Dense moss grows biofilm for grazing and shelters shrimplets
Low-light plant that gives grazing surfaces and shade
Common Diseases
Bacterial Infection (Septicemia)
Discoloration, lethargy, molting problems, white spots or lesions on body
Perform 25% water changes daily, maintain pristine water parameters, isolate affected individuals; antibiotics are rarely effective in shrimp tanks
Parasitic Infection (Vorticella)
White fuzzy coating on body and appendages, reduced feeding, lethargy
Increase water changes, improve water quality, raise temperature slightly (within safe range); salt baths are not recommended for freshwater shrimp
Molting Syndrome
Difficulty shedding exoskeleton, incomplete molts, death shortly after molting
Ensure stable pH and GH; provide calcium-rich foods (blanched spinach, specialized shrimp foods); avoid sudden parameter changes
Copper Poisoning
Sudden death, erratic swimming, loss of color, paralysis
Prevention is critical—use only copper-free medications and fertilizers; perform immediate large water changes if copper exposure is suspected
Varieties
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Quick Facts
- diet
- Omnivore – biofilm, shrimp-specific powdered food, leaf litter
- breeding
- Moderate; requires stable, species-appropriate parameters
- lifespan
- 1.5–2 years
- max size
- 3 cm (1.2 in)
- tank size
- 10 gallons minimum
- temperament
- Peaceful
Water it likes
- ph
- 5.8–6.8
- tds
- 100–150 ppm
- ammonia
- 0 ppm
- nitrate
- <10 ppm
- hardness
- 4–6 dGH
- temperature
- 68–75°F (20–24°C)
Legality
No state or federal restrictions on record for this species.
Not legal advice, and possibly incomplete or out of date. Rules vary by state and locality and change over time — always confirm the current regulations with your state wildlife or agriculture agency before buying, keeping, or shipping this species.