What size tank do crystal red shrimp need?
At least 5 gallons (19 liters) for a group of 6. The smallest standard tank that works is the 5 gallon. A bigger tank is always easier to keep stable. Scientific name: Caridina cantonensis.
How many crystal red shrimp in each tank size?
This is how many each standard tank carries comfortably if crystal red shrimp are the only animals in it. Share the tank with other species and the number goes down.
| Tank | How many crystal red shrimp |
|---|---|
| 5 gallon | up to 28 |
| 10 gallon | up to 50 |
| 20 gallon long | 60 or more |
| 29 gallon | 60 or more |
| 40 gallon breeder | 60 or more |
| 55 gallon | 60 or more |
| 75 gallon | 60 or more |
| 125 gallon | 60 or more |
Check crystal red shrimp against your own tank and other fish
Good to know
- Needs soft, slightly acid water: harder to keep than cherry shrimp.
- Keep at least 6. Crystal red shrimp feel safe in numbers and come out into the open more.
- Fish over about 2 in (5 cm) eat baby shrimp. Give shrimp moss and dense plants to hide in.
Tank mates for crystal red shrimp
These animals like the same water, are a safe size, and have a temper that fits. It is a match on paper: always watch new tankmates for the first week.
- Neon tetra
- Rosy barb
- Harlequin rasbora
- Honey gourami
- Black skirt tetra
- Dwarf gourami
- Tiger barb
- Serpae tetra
Poor matches
- Betta: Their temperature ranges barely overlap: Crystal red shrimp likes 68–75 °F (20–24 °C), Betta likes 75–82 °F (24–28 °C).
- Guppy: These fish do not share a comfortable pH range. Choose fish from similar water.
- Angelfish: Angelfish (about 6 in) can eat crystal red shrimp (about 1.2 in).
- Fancy goldfish: Goldfish do best with other fancy goldfish.
Questions and answers
What size tank do crystal red shrimp need?
At least 5 gallons (19 liters) for a group of 6. The smallest standard tank that works is the 5 gallon. A bigger tank is always easier to keep stable.
How many crystal red shrimp should be kept together?
At least 6. Crystal red shrimp are social animals and only behave naturally in a group. More is better if the tank has room.
Can crystal red shrimp live in a 10 gallon tank?
Yes. A 10 gallon tank carries up to about 50 as the only animals in the tank.
What temperature do crystal red shrimp need?
68–75 °F (20–24 °C), with a pH of 5.8–6.8. A heater is only needed if your room gets cold.
Can crystal red shrimp live with a betta?
It is not a good match. Their temperature ranges barely overlap: Crystal red shrimp likes 68–75 °F (20–24 °C), Betta likes 75–82 °F (24–28 °C).
More fish
Adult size, tank size and water ranges follow the mainstream care consensus (Seriously Fish species profiles and FishBase maximum lengths). Where sources differ we use the more cautious figure. Stocking numbers come from our stocking calculator.