Flora & Fauna

Red cherry shrimp are the most popular dwarf shrimp in the hobby, bred in a variety of red intensity grades from pale pink to deep 'painted fire red'. They are tireless algae and biofilm grazers that thrive in established planted tanks. A mature tank with mosses and fine-leaf plants provides ideal conditions for breeding.

Named after legendary aquascape artist Takashi Amano who popularised their use, amano shrimp are the most effective algae-eating invertebrates available to hobbyists. Their large size and robust constitution means they can handle moderate current and tankmate activity. They do not breed in freshwater, so populations must be replenished from wild-caught stock.

Bamboo shrimp (wood shrimp) are large, striking filter-feeding shrimp that fan tiny food particles from the water current. They require good water flow and consistent, fine suspended food (like powdered spirulina). Do not keep with aggressive tankmates.

Caridina cantonensis is the base species from which the famous Crystal Red, Crystal Black, and Tiger Bee shrimp have been selectively bred. Wild-type specimens display variable banding of white and translucent to brown, but it is the domesticated varieties that drive the hobby's fascination. All variants require the same exacting soft, acidic water conditions with very low TDS, and are intolerant of copper, fluctuating parameters, or high nitrates.

Deep black to dark charcoal Neocaridina. Full opaque black coloration is the most sought-after grade. Creates a dramatic contrast in light-substrate planted tanks. As hardy as red cherry shrimp.

Bloody Mary Shrimp are a deeply coloured Neocaridina davidi morph with an intense, translucent blood-red coloration that differs from the opaque red of Painted Fire Red or regular Cherry Shrimp — the red pigmentation is visible through the body, giving them a vivid, glowing quality. They are as hardy and easy to breed as other Neocaridina morphs, making them accessible for beginners seeking a striking red shrimp variety.

Blue bolt shrimp are a selectively bred Caridina variety featuring a striking white body with vivid blue patches. They require the same pristine, soft, acidic water as other Taiwan bee shrimp. Their dramatic colouration makes them highly sought after by advanced hobbyists.

Blue Dream Shrimp are a high-grade selectively bred Neocaridina davidi morph displaying deep, solid cobalt-blue coloration throughout the body. The 'Dream' grade represents the most intense and uniform blue coloration, without the lighter patches seen in standard Blue Velvet morphs. They share the same hardy, beginner-friendly care requirements as Red Cherry Shrimp and breed prolifically in stable, planted tanks.

Deep blue tiger shrimp with dark stripes. Requires the same soft, acidic water as other Caridina. The royal blue coloration is highly prized among shrimp keepers.

Blue velvet shrimp are a striking blue morph of Neocaridina davidi with a rich, opaque cornflower-blue colouration. Like all Neocaridina they are hardy and adaptable, making them an excellent choice for beginners wanting colourful shrimp.

Blue velvet shrimp are a selectively bred colour morph of the common neocaridina davidi, displaying an attractive solid blue coloration. They share the same hardy nature and care requirements as red cherry shrimp, making them equally beginner-friendly. They breed readily and can produce mixed-colour offspring if kept with other neocaridina colour morphs.

Dark grey-to-black rili pattern with a transparent midsection. The monochrome equivalent of the popular red and orange rili variants. Intriguing patterning and fully Neocaridina-hardy.

Caridina babaulti is a colourful Indian dwarf shrimp available in green, blue, yellow, and striped colour forms, all sharing the same species identity. It occupies an interesting middle ground between the hardy Neocaridina and the demanding Caridina cantonensis, preferring moderately soft, slightly acidic water but tolerating a broader range than bee shrimp. Active and personable, it is an excellent choice for intermediate shrimp keepers wanting more colour variety.

Chocolate shrimp are a deep brown-maroon Neocaridina morph with a rich, earthy colouration that contrasts beautifully with green plants and light substrate. Hardy and prolific, they are managed identically to other Neocaridina colour morphs.

Crystal Black Shrimp are selectively bred bee shrimp displaying bold black and white banding — the black body pattern is the inverse of Crystal Red Shrimp. They are graded S to SSS by the clarity and coverage of the white banding. Like all Caridina cantonensis varieties they demand very soft, slightly acidic water with low TDS, and are highly sensitive to copper, temperature swings, and nitrate accumulation. A dedicated shrimp-only tank with buffered aquasoil is strongly recommended.

Crystal red shrimp are selectively bred bee shrimp featuring striking white and red banding, graded S to SSS by pattern clarity. They demand very soft, slightly acidic water and are highly sensitive to temperature swings, dissolved solids, and trace copper. Dedicated shrimp-only tanks using buffered aquasoil are strongly recommended.

Ghost shrimp are nearly transparent freshwater shrimp often sold as feeder animals, though they make excellent, inexpensive nano tank inhabitants in their own right. They consume algae, debris, and uneaten food, contributing to tank cleanliness. However, they are sometimes aggressive toward smaller shrimp species.

Opaque jade-green Neocaridina with excellent colour contrast in planted tanks. Rarer than the red and blue variants. As hardy and prolific as all other Neocaridina — a great addition to any shrimp collection.

Green jade shrimp are a selectively bred Neocaridina variety with an opaque mint-green colour. Like all Neocaridina they are hardy and tolerate a wider range of water conditions than Caridina. Their unique green colouration is particularly striking against dark substrate.

Premium Caridina with heavy, mostly black patterning and bold white patches. More black than a standard Crystal Black Shrimp. Requires very soft, acidic water. Prized by serious shrimp breeders.

Orange Rili Shrimp display the characteristic Rili pattern — bright orange pigmentation on the head, carapace, and tail sections, with a clear transparent mid-section revealing the internal organs. This two-tone broken pattern is unique and visually distinctive against green plants and dark substrates. They are as easy to keep and breed as any other Neocaridina davidi colour morph and are a lively, active addition to planted nano tanks.

Vivid orange Neocaridina that stands out brilliantly against green plants. One of the most popular shrimp for planted tanks. Hardy and prolific — an excellent beginner Neocaridina colour variant.

The deepest red Neocaridina available — body and legs are entirely opaque fire red with no clear patches. Top grade of the red cherry lineage. Striking against any substrate colour.

Pinto shrimp are highly prized Taiwan bee variants with bold black and white patterning in distinctive stripe, skunk, or spotted configurations. They are among the most valuable freshwater shrimp in the hobby and require immaculate water quality.

Violet to deep purple Neocaridina — one of the newer and rarer colour morphs. Striking against light sand or bright green moss. Colour intensity varies with diet and water quality.

Rili Shrimp are a selectively bred Neocaridina davidi morph characterised by a two-tone pattern — a coloured head and tail section (typically red, orange, or blue) separated by a transparent or translucent mid-body section. This 'broken' coloration pattern is unique among neocaridina morphs and makes them visually striking in planted tanks. Care and breeding requirements are identical to standard red cherry shrimp.

High-grade Caridina with a reverse panda pattern — black where panda shrimp are white, and white where they are black. Requires the same soft, acidic conditions as Crystal Reds. Collector's shrimp.

Snowball shrimp are prized for their opaque white coloration and the pearlescent white egg clusters that females carry, which inspired their common name. Like other neocaridina variants they are adaptable and breed freely in established planted tanks. They add a clean, high-contrast element to darker aquascape substrates.

The Sulawesi Cardinal Shrimp is arguably the most stunning freshwater shrimp — a brilliant red body adorned with white spots, from the ancient alkaline lakes of Sulawesi, Indonesia. It is also the most demanding, requiring very warm water, elevated pH, and unique mineral composition mimicking its ancient lake habitat — parameters almost opposite to other Caridina species. It is intolerant of standard aquasoil buffering and must be housed in species-specific setups using Sulawesi mineral salts.

Stunning white shrimp with deep blue or red spots. Endemic to ancient Sulawesi lakes with unique water chemistry. Requires warm, alkaline, hard water — a true specialist shrimp.

Orange-and-black banded Caridina shrimp. Requires softer, more acidic water than Neocaridina species. Striking coloration and increasingly popular in the hobby.

Tiger Shrimp (Orange Eye Blue Tiger or Black Tiger depending on variant) display striking alternating body bands of blue-black to brown on a translucent base, with prominent orange eyes in some forms. They are Caridina species requiring the same soft, acidic, low-TDS water as bee shrimp. Several colour forms exist including Orange Eye Blue Tiger (OEBT) which is among the most sought-after shrimp in the hobby, commanding premium prices for high-grade specimens.

Vampire shrimp (giant African filter shrimp) are large, impressive filter feeders that sieve fine particles from the water. Despite their intimidating name they are completely peaceful. They require strong flow and regular fine food additions to thrive.

Deep maroon-red Caridina with little to no white markings. A striking colour mutation of the Crystal Red lineage. Requires the same demanding soft, acidic water parameters as other high-grade Caridina.

Yellow Neocaridina (also known as Yellow Sakura or Banana Shrimp) are a selectively bred morph of Neocaridina davidi displaying a clean, uniform lemon-yellow to deep golden colouration. They are equally hardy and prolific as red cherry shrimp, making them ideal for beginners seeking a splash of warm colour in planted tanks. Against dark aquasoil substrates and green plants the yellow stands out vividly.