Most people think of shrimp as saltwater shrimp. However, freshwater shrimp are steadily increasing in popularity in freshwater aquarium keeping. There are many colors and styles to choose from, and some freshwater shrimp have color-changing and filter-feeding abilities.
Freshwater shrimp are not easy to keep. Some shrimp varieties can be more difficult than others. However, if you have good water quality and a solid foundational understanding of their needs, they can make a great addition to your freshwater tank. Keep in mind that shrimps can be preyed on by aggressive or large tankmates like goldfish, bettas, and cichlids. Continue reading to discover 19 of the most sought-after freshwater shrimp varieties.
1. Red Cherry Shrimp
Red Cherry Shrimp is one of the most sought-after varieties of freshwater shrimp. The Red Cherry Shrimp is bright and cherry-red and small, measuring only one and a quarter inches when fully grown. They live on average for about 1-2 years. They come in a variety of shades, with the more sought-after and most expensive shrimp being the darker and more solid colors. These shrimps are sensitive to changes in water parameters. However, if water parameters are maintained stable and the tank is kept at a tropical temperature of 75-80@F, they will be fine.
These tiny shrimps love to have moss in their tanks and lots of plants to hide from. If they feel secure and happy, they will be their best. Red Cherry Shrimps should be kept with other Red Cherry Shrimps. However, they can also be housed alongside other Red Cherry Shrimps and other freshwater shrimp varieties. Red Cherry Shrimp, like most invertebrates, are sensitive to copper. Although they will eat any algae or other debris in the tank, their small size makes it difficult for them to keep tanks clean.
2. Neocaridina/Yellow Shrimp
Yellow Shrimp is a freshwater shrimp variety that was bred from the same breeding stock of Sakura Cherry Shrimp, a particular variety of Red Cherry Shrimp. These shrimps come in a variety of colors, some more translucent than others. These shrimps are easy to breed and require the same care as Red Cherry Shrimp. They have a life expectancy of 1-2 years and are a bright and beautiful addition to any planted tank.
3. Pinto Shrimp
Pinto Shrimp is named after the Spanish word “pinto”, which means “spotted”. Pinto Tiger, Pinto Mosura, and Galaxy Shrimp are all common names for these shrimps. They can grow up to 1 inch long and live for approximately 1 year. However, they can be longer if cared for properly.
Pinto shrimp are typically white or black, with red stripes or spots. They prefer cooler water (65-75@F) and are less resilient than Red cherries or Yellow Shrimps. They are curious and social and enjoy the company of other shrimps. Pinto Shrimp eat algae and biofilm. Despite being smaller than Red Cherry Shrimps, Pinto Shrimp can clean up biofilm and other debris with ease considering their small size. In that they constantly search for new snacks, they are akin to a goldfish.
4. Tiger Shrimp/Red Tiger Shrimp
Red Tiger Shrimp and Tiger Shrimp are sensitive shrimp varieties that can be difficult to obtain. They can also be expensive, so they can not be used as starter shrimps. Tiger Shrimp are yellow-tinted with black stripes on their bodies and heads. Red Tiger Shrimp are the same, but have red stripes and not black stripes. They require moss, plants, or other hiding places to feel secure. If they feel anxious, they may be reluctant to eat. These shrimp varieties are timid and should be kept with other shrimps, or gentle tankmates who will not bully them. Tiger Shrimps and Red Tiger Shrimp prefer warm water (usually around 75°F) and require soft, clean water with stable parameters in order to survive.
5. Bamboo Shrimp
Bamboo Shrimp is a popular freshwater shrimp variety that is easily accessible, perhaps even more so than Red Cherry shrimp. Bamboo Shrimp can grow up to 3 inches in size and can live up to 2 years. Although they are brownish in color, they can be a great addition to aquariums. They are calm and love to eat, just like Pinto Shrimp.
Bamboo Shrimp have fan-shaped appendages that function as filters at the ends of their four front legs. These shrimps can stand in gentle currents and keep their appendages raised, allowing water to flow through the filter while food particles are caught in the water. Bamboo Shrimp can be quite entertaining as they alternate their appendages to bring food into their mouths. These shrimps are attracted to tropical tanks and have stable water conditions. They love to be with peaceful shrimps.
6. Ghost Shrimp
This freshwater shrimp variety has a transparent body that gives it a ghost-like appearance while it moves around the tank. Although they can be hard to spot, it is possible to spot them by keeping your eyes open for these busybodies. They can grow up to an inch in length and can live for over a year.
Ghost shrimp are one of the more durable varieties of freshwater shrimp. They are also very affordable, making them an excellent choice for beginners to shrimp keeping. Like most shrimp, they are calm and love hiding places and moss. Although they are not social and don’t require tankmates, they can be safely paired up with Ghost Shrimps and other shrimp varieties and gentle fish.
7. Crystal Shrimp
Crystal Shrimp can grow to just over one inch in length, and they can live up to 18 months. There are many colors to choose from, including striped and splotchy reds. The more opaque colors are, the better the shrimp are bred. They are sensitive to copper and changes in water parameters. This shrimp variety is very peaceful and makes a great addition to community tanks that have small, peaceful tankmates such as guppies.
Crystal Shrimp love to be with other shrimps, and they will enjoy a tank filled with moss or grasses. They will eat algae, biofilm, and other debris to keep your tank clean.
8. Black King Kong Shrimp
These shrimp are a special variety that is valuable and hard to keep. These shrimp are not recommended for beginners. They can also be very difficult to care for even experienced shrimp keepers. Black King Kong Shrimp can grow to just over 1 inch in length, and they live for over a year under ideal conditions. They prefer cooler water and are sensitive to changes in water parameters.
Black King Kong Shrimps are usually solid velvety black but may have small white marks. They may also be known as Panda Shrimp if they have white markings. Sometimes they are called Shadow Panda. These shrimps love fresh vegetables and are herbivores. They are sensitive to changes in water parameters so it is important that they are fed fresh vegetables regularly and not too much. This will prevent any waste products from building up in the water.
This shrimp variety has been extensively inbred to produce desired color traits. It is important to research breeders to ensure that you get the best shrimps.
9. Wine Red Shrimp
This shrimp variety is closely related to Black King Kong Shrimp. BKK shrimps require the same care as Wine Red Shrimps. They are the same size and have the same lifespan. Wine Red Shrimp can be solid, wine red, or wine red with small white spots around the head. You may also find white spots on the body or white bands. Wine Red Panda Shrimp is another name for this variety of shrimp.
10. Amano Shrimp
Amano Shrimp is one of the most active freshwater shrimp types, and they love to swim and climb. They love to have lots of places to explore in their natural environment. They can grow up to 2 inches long, making them one the largest freshwater aquarium shrimps.
Amano Shrimps are translucent blue-grey, with dots and dashes punctuating the bodies. They can also be found in shades of red, brown, or green. They are sensitive to copper, and rapid changes in water parameters and are among the hardiest and low-maintenance shrimp varieties. They are more comfortable in water with moderate currents and prefer hard water to other shrimp varieties. Amano Shrimp can be kept with shrimp-safe fish and other varieties of shrimp.
11. Bee Shrimp
These shrimps can be sensitive so they are not recommended for beginners. They are tolerant to warm, soft water and can live for 12-18 months. Bee Shrimp is their name due to their striped bodies. However, they are not usually black or yellow. There are many Bee Shrimp types, including Crystal Shrimp and Black King Kong Shrimp. They are very shy and can appreciate many plants. The size of female Bee shrimp is usually slightly smaller than that of males.
12. Red Rili Shrimp
Red Rili Shrimp can grow up to 1 1/2 inches in length. They are named after their coloration pattern called Rili. It consists of a translucent body with red markings and translucent skin. These markings can be found on the head, tail, and body.
Red Cherry Shrimp were selectively bred to create Red Rili Shrimp. These shrimps can live in both hard and soft water. They can tolerate temperatures between 68 and 78°F. They are curious and social, and they enjoy being with other shrimps. Because they are more social than other shrimps, it is easier for them to be bred.
13. Blue Bolt Shrimp
Blue Bolt Shrimp is related to Black King Kong Shrimp. They may also be called Blue King Kong Shrimp. These shrimp come in a variety of colors, including a beautiful blue color and a white color. It can be a light, bright or powdery blue. This shrimp is rare and very expensive.
14. Blue Velvet Shrimp
These shrimp closely resemble Red Cherry Shrimp. They require warm water and can tolerate both hard and soft water. They can live up to 2 years and can grow up to 1 1/2 inches in length. Although they enjoy hiding in their tanks, they are very social and can often be found out and about. Blue Velvet Shrimp come in a stunning shade of blue with some darker spotting. These shrimp are a great starter variety and add a lot of color to your tank.
15. Snowball Shrimp
Like Blue Velvet Shrimps, Snowball Shrimp is closely related to Red Cherry Shrimp. They are also easy to care for. They are social and easy to breed. Snowball Shrimps are named after their translucent white coloration. Due to the body’s transparency, you can sometimes see the developing eggs underneath the female’s tail. The eggs have a round “snowball” appearance. It is possible to see the dark eyes in the shrimplets’ last days before they hatch if you look closely.
16. Vampire Shrimp
Vampire shrimp are a fun and distinctive species of freshwater shrimp. Vampire Shrimp can grow up to three inches long and have a heavier body than other freshwater shrimp. Vampire Shrimp are similar to Bamboo Shrimp and have fan-shaped appendages on the front legs which allow them to catch small food particles in water. They prefer warm water that has a moderate current. They are shy and like to hide. However, they are friendly with other shrimps, particularly filter-feeding shrimps such as Bamboo Shrimp. Vampire Shrimp, contrary to their name, are very peaceful tank residents.
17. Baubalti Shrimp
This shrimp variety is unique in that unlike other shrimp species, it doesn’t have a specific color. They can change their color based on the environment they live in and their comfort level. They are transparent or translucent at the base, with spots or stripes. However, they can alter their body color to match tank decor, driftwood, and rocks, or to attract mates during mating season.
Baubalti Shrimp are similar to Red Cherry Shrimp in terms of care requirements and are as resilient, but have one weakness. These shrimp are extremely sensitive to shipping stress and can die from shipping. They can be a wonderful addition to your tropical freshwater tank if they are healthy and arrive safely.
18. Indian Whisker Shrimp
These shrimps look similar to Ghost Shrimp. They have clear bodies and minimal markings. Indian Whisker Shrimp can grow up to 2 inches long and have a very different personality than the tranquil Ghost Shrimp. This shrimp variety is known to be aggressive and can be suited to solitary tanks, or community tanks with non-aggressive fish who will keep their distance.
They can kill small fish and shrimp. They can be kept with calm varieties of snails. When kept in tropical freshwater tanks, they are quite hardy. They are able to feed on biofilm, plants, and tank debris, but they love Marimo moss balls and cucumbers as well as leafy greens such as spinach.
19. Grass Shrimp
Grass Shrimps are translucent white and have few markings. Because of their translucence, Grass Shrimp blend well with the environment, much like aquatic grasses. They prefer warm water but can survive in water as cold as 68°F. They can grow up to 2 inches in length, but they are very short-lived and rarely live beyond one year. These shrimps are tough and easy to keep. However, a breeding population is necessary to keep them alive for more than one year. These shrimps can be independent of their tank by eating the young of other Grass Shrimps. They love to eat biofilm, algae, and other debris.
Final thoughts on Freshwater Shrimps
Shrimps can be a unique and interesting addition to your tank if you are willing to do the extra work required. It is fun to watch them and it can be very easy to maintain a population due to their ease of breeding. Because they are easy to breed, it is best to keep different species of shrimps in separate tanks. Hybridization is possible and can lead to shrimps returning to their natural colors.
Freshwater shrimps are a great addition to tanks. They can clean up plant matter and trash, and provide high-quality water parameters that will benefit all their tankmates. There are many shrimp species that are herbivores or omnivores. Knowing the dietary requirements of each shrimp will help ensure a long and healthy life. Copper is extremely toxic to shrimps, so it is important to be careful when adding chemicals or medications to shrimp tanks.
Freshwater shrimps can be adorable and, when taken care of properly, they are playful and curious. Make sure shrimps have safe and healthy tankmates, plants, hiding spots, food, and water, then relax and enjoy the show.
What is the most common species of freshwater shrimp?
Shrimp with Red Cherry The Red Cherry Shrimp is one of the most popular freshwater shrimp species. They are vivid, cherry red, and small, measuring just about one and a half inches when fully developed.
Which shrimp is the most suitable for beginners?
4 ideal freshwater aquarium prawns for newcomers Amano shrimp (Caridina multidentata)… Blue Dream shrimp (Neocaridina davidi var. Blue)… Ghost shrimp (Neocaridina davidi var (Palaemonetes sp.)
What is the most toxic shrimp?
The small Pistol Shrimp seldom appears on a list of the world’s loudest and most deadly critters. In actuality, the little species is a top contender in both categories, making it probably the most hazardous organism on the planet.
Freshwater shrimp live for how long?
Shrimp do not have lengthy lives. Most shrimp have a lifetime of one to six years. Ghost Shrimp have a shorter life span, lasting only one year, but Caridean Shrimp can live for up to six years.
What is causing my freshwater shrimp to die?
Problems with water quality. Freshwater dwarf shrimp are far more susceptible to water quality than most fish and snails, and it is likely that this is the leading cause of mortality among novice shrimp keepers. It’s critical to keep the water parameters within acceptable ranges for the species you’re keeping.
In a freshwater tank, how many shrimp should there be
Shrimp are relatively tiny and produce less metabolic waste than fish, allowing them to be housed in smaller tanks/in more densely populated circumstances. With that considered, I wouldn’t go overboard; a limit of 10-15 shrimp every five liters is recommended. A 20-gallon tank is ideal for breeding.
Do freshwater shrimp reproduce?
Summer is the season for reproduction, however some species breed all year. Mating happens when the male approaches the female at a straight angle and transfers a spermatophore to a particular receptacle on the female’s belly.
Are freshwater shrimp algae eaters?
Shrimp Eat Everything They’ll consume algae, dead and live plants, worms (even rotting worms), fish, snails, and even other dead shrimps as they grow. Shrimp in a fish aquarium will consume algae developing in the tank as well as any remaining particles of fish food.
Is it difficult to keep freshwater shrimp?
They are omnivorous and relatively easy to keep; they will gladly dine on algae, sinking pellets, and frozen meals.
What is the finest freshwater tank shrimp?
Neocaridina. The Red Cherry Shrimp, a Neocaridina species, is the most popular shrimp in the aquarium hobby. They are regarded for being one of the toughest shrimp available and are a good choice for novices who are new to shrimp keeping.