Shrimp Finder: Which Shrimp Is Right for Me?
Pick the shrimp you want to keep and see the temperature, water parameters, substrate and tank size that suit it. The values match the tables in our care guides.
Neocaridina (cherry shrimp and colors)
Neocaridina davidi · Red Cherry, Sakura, Fire Red, Bloody Mary, Blue Dream, Yellow
Difficulty: Easy, good for beginners
- Temperature
- 20–25 °C (68–77 °F)
- pH
- 6.5–8.0
- GH
- 6–10 °dH
- KH
- 2–6 °dH
- TDS
- 150–250 ppm
- Tank
- at least 20 liters
- Size
- 2–3 cm
- Water
- Dechlorinated tap water is enough in most areas.
- Substrate
- Inert sand or fine gravel. A dark substrate makes colors look stronger.
Good to know
- The best shrimp to start the hobby with: hardy and easy to breed.
- Different colors interbreed; keep one color per tank to preserve it.
- Temperatures above 28 °C are risky; keep the tank out of direct sunlight.
Caridina (Crystal Red, Taiwan Bee)
Crystal Red, Crystal Black, Taiwan Bee
Difficulty: Needs experience
- Temperature
- 20–23 °C (68–73 °F)
- pH
- 5.8–6.8
- GH
- 4–6 °dH
- KH
- 0–1 °dH
- TDS
- 100–160 ppm
- Tank
- at least 20 liters
- Size
- 2–3 cm
- Water
- RO water + GH minerals. Check the water you prepare with a TDS meter.
- Substrate
- Active soil: lowers pH and keeps it stable. Its buffering usually weakens within 1–1.5 years.
Good to know
- Sensitive to change: sudden swings in pH, temperature or TDS can cause molting problems and losses.
- Above 25 °C is risky.
- Cycling takes longer with active soil; make sure ammonia and nitrite are at zero before adding shrimp.
Amano shrimp
Caridina multidentata · Known as an algae cleaner
Difficulty: Easy, good for beginners
- Temperature
- 20–27 °C (68–81 °F)
- pH
- 6.5–7.8
- GH
- 4–10 °dH
- KH
- 1–6 °dH
- TDS
- —
- Tank
- at least 20 liters
- Size
- 4–5 cm
- Water
- Adapts to a wide range; what matters most is that the values stay stable.
Good to know
- One or two Amanos per 20–40 liters is usually enough.
- Eggs hatch in fresh water, but the larvae need salt water; breeding them at home is an advanced project.
- Water above 27 °C for long periods increases stress.
Side-by-side comparison
| Neocaridina (cherry shrimp and colors) | Caridina (Crystal Red, Taiwan Bee) | Amano shrimp | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 20–25 °C (68–77 °F) | 20–23 °C (68–73 °F) | 20–27 °C (68–81 °F) |
| pH | 6.5–8.0 | 5.8–6.8 | 6.5–7.8 |
| GH | 6–10 °dH | 4–6 °dH | 4–10 °dH |
| KH | 2–6 °dH | 0–1 °dH | 1–6 °dH |
| TDS | 150–250 ppm | 100–160 ppm | — |
These are general ranges widely accepted in the hobby and match the tables in our guides. They can differ depending on the line and the breeder. Above all, keep your values stable and make changes in small steps.
Log your tank and compare your values
When you log your tank and water parameters on ShrimpSocial, they are compared with these ranges automatically.
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