Invertebrates
Crystal Red Bee
Caridina cantonensis "Crystal Red"
Also called: CRS
Key facts
- Temperature22–25 °C
- pH6.2–6.8
- Adult size3 cm
- Difficulty★★★★☆
- TemperamentPeaceful
- WaterFresh
Full profile
- Family
- Atyidae
- Origin
- Domestic selection of Caridina cantonensis (China/Japan)
- Size
- 2 – 3 cm
- Temperature
- 22 – 25°C
- pH
- 6.2 – 6.8
- GH / KH / TDS
- GH 4-6 °dGH / KH 0-1 °dKH / TDS 100-150 ppm
- Difficulty
- ★★★★☆
- Water type
- freshwater (soft and slightly acidic water)
- Behavior
- Pacific
- Compatible with fish
- No fish; aquarium dedicated solely to shrimp
- Diet
- Omnivorous detritivore (biofilm, algae, catappa leaves, specialized pellets)
- Reproduction
- Oviparous; the female carries the eggs for 4–5 weeks; litters of 15–30 young
Notes: Requires an active substrate (ADA Amazonia, Tropica Soil, Fluval Stratum) that acidifies and softens the water. Without an active substrate, maintaining water parameters is very difficult. The substrate loses its buffering capacity within 12–18 months and must be replaced. Quality rating: SSS > SS > S > A > B > C. Extremely sensitive to copper (even in trace amounts): never use copper-based medications or water from copper pipes without first testing it.
