Zebra Pinto Shrimp

Caridina logemanni

📍 Taiwan selective breeding

The Zebra Pinto Shrimp is a striking freshwater shrimp featuring bold black and white striped patterning across its body and legs, creating a distinctive zebra-like appearance. This selectively bred variety is prized for its high contrast coloration and relatively hardy nature compared to other Caridina pintos. The pattern intensity can vary among individuals, making each shrimp unique.

Size1.25"

Min Tank5g

School10+

peaceful

Zonebottom

Care Guide

Diet

Zebra Pinto Shrimp are detritivores that graze on biofilm, algae, and decaying plant matter throughout the day. Supplement with high-quality shrimp pellets (Shirakura, Mosura) 2-3 times weekly and occasional blanched vegetables like spinach or zucchini. Ensure adequate mineral content through food and water parameters to support molting.

Behavior

These shrimp are active grazers, constantly foraging along substrate and plants for food and biofilm. They are social and do best in groups where they exhibit natural colony behaviors including molting cycles every 4-6 weeks. Males may display mild competition but rarely cause harm to tank mates.

Breeding

Zebra Pinto Shrimp require soft, acidic water (pH 5.5-6.5, GH 4-6) to successfully breed and maintain color intensity. Females produce small berries of 20-30 shrimplets that develop over 3-4 weeks; shrimplets are born fully formed and independent. Maintaining stable parameters and biofilm-rich environments significantly increases breeding success.

Tank Mates

Otocinclus

Small, peaceful algae eater that shares bottom zone without competing for food

excellent

Ember Tetra

Tiny, non-aggressive fish that won't predate on adult shrimp

good

Chili Rasbora

Nano fish with minimal bioload and peaceful temperament

excellent

Amano Shrimp

Larger shrimp species that coexist peacefully in established colonies

good

Java Moss

Provides grazing surface, shelter, and biofilm production

excellent

Common Diseases

Molting Failure / Incomplete Molt

Symptoms

Shrimp unable to shed exoskeleton completely, remaining stuck in old shell, lethargy, death within days

Treatment

Increase mineral content via GH boosters or mineral supplements; ensure pH stability (5.5-6.5); perform 25% water changes; add Indian almond leaves for tannins and trace minerals

Muscular Necrosis (MSN)

Symptoms

White/opaque patches on body and legs, loss of color, shrimp becomes immobile and dies

Treatment

Maintain strict water parameter stability; increase water changes to 30% weekly; ensure adequate mineral supplementation; isolate affected individuals if possible; improve biofilm availability

Vorticella / Fungal Infection

Symptoms

White fuzzy coating on body, antenna, or legs; shrimp appears lethargic; difficulty molting

Treatment

Perform 50% water change; increase aeration; add Indian almond leaves or alder cones for tannins; maintain pristine water quality; avoid copper-based treatments (lethal to shrimp)

Copper Toxicity

Symptoms

Sudden death, erratic swimming, color loss, paralysis

Treatment

Immediately perform 80% water change; use copper-free medications only; check all supplements and fertilizers for copper content; use RO water if tap water contains copper