10 Types of Shrimp for Aquariums

Shrimp are more than just tank cleaners they’re tiny, colorful creatures that add life and balance to your aquarium. Whether you’re a beginner looking for low-maintenance pets or an aquascaping fan wanting to enhance your planted tank, there’s a shrimp species out there for you.

In this guide, we’ll cover six popular types of aquarium shrimp, breaking down their looks, care requirements, and compatibility with other tank mates. Let’s find the perfect shrimp to match your tank’s style and needs.

10 Popular Types of Aquarium Shrimp

1.Cherry Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi)

Cherry shrimp are beloved for their bright, eye-catching red coloration that stands out beautifully in planted aquariums. These hardy creatures are perfect for beginners, as they tolerate a wider range of water conditions than many other shrimp species. They breed easily in home aquariums, allowing your colony to grow naturally over time.

Their peaceful nature makes them compatible with many community tank inhabitants, and they’re active algae eaters that help keep your tank clean. Cherry shrimp thrive in tanks with plenty of plants and hiding spots, which encourage them to be more active and display better coloration when they feel secure.

• Care level: Easy
• Size: 1-1.5 inches
• Lifespan: 1-2 years
• Water parameters: 65-85°F, pH 6.5-8.0, GH 4-8

2.Blue Dream Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi var. blue)

Blue Dream shrimp offer a stunning blue coloration that creates a dramatic visual effect in any aquarium. They share the same hardiness as their Cherry shrimp cousins, making them suitable for novice shrimp keepers. Like other Neocaridina varieties, they reproduce readily in home aquariums and serve as active cleaners.

These shrimp work well in community tanks with appropriate tankmates. However, it’s important to note that different color varieties of Neocaridina should not be kept together if you want to maintain their pure colors, as they will interbreed and produce offspring with mixed, often less vibrant coloration.

• Care level: Easy
• Size: 1-1.5 inches
• Lifespan: 1-2 years
• Water parameters: 65-85°F, pH 6.5-8.0, GH 4-8

3.Amano Shrimp (Caridina multidentata)

Amano shrimp have earned their reputation as the premier algae eaters in the shrimp world. Larger than most ornamental shrimp species, they make a more noticeable presence in your tank. These hardy and adaptable creatures feature an interesting transparent appearance with distinctive dots along their bodies.

Their active nature means they’re often visible in the tank, busily cleaning surfaces and searching for food. Unlike many ornamental shrimp, Amano shrimp rarely breed in home aquariums because their larvae require brackish water to develop, making them a stable population that won’t overrun your tank.

• Care level: Easy
• Size: 1.5-2 inches
• Lifespan: 2-3 years
• Water parameters: 65-80°F, pH 6.0-7.5, GH 4-14

4.Crystal Red Shrimp (Caridina cantonensis)

Crystal Red shrimp are prized for their striking red and white pattern that creates a premium appearance in any aquarium. These shrimp are graded by pattern quality (from C to SSS grade), with higher grades commanding higher prices due to their more defined and appealing patterns.

While they form peaceful communities, Crystal Red shrimp require more specialized care than Neocaridina varieties. They need stable water parameters and prefer cooler water than many tropical fish, making them more suitable for dedicated shrimp tanks or carefully planned community setups.

• Care level: Moderate to Advanced
• Size: 1-1.5 inches
• Lifespan: 1-2 years
• Water parameters: 62-76°F, pH 5.8-6.8, GH 4-6

5.Ghost Shrimp (Palaemonetes sp.)

Ghost shrimp feature a nearly transparent body that gives them a unique, ethereal appearance. Their extremely affordable price makes them excellent “starter shrimp” for those testing the waters of shrimp keeping. These active scavengers constantly patrol the tank for food particles.

One fascinating aspect of ghost shrimp is that you can actually watch them digest their food through their transparent bodies! While often sold as feeders for larger fish, they make entertaining pets in their own right. Their low price makes them perfect for testing if your tank is “shrimp-safe” before investing in more expensive varieties.

• Care level: Easy
• Size: 1-2 inches
• Lifespan: 1 year
• Water parameters: 65-82°F, pH 7.0-8.0, GH 3-10

6.Bamboo Shrimp (Atyopsis moluccensis)

Bamboo shrimp stand out due to their significantly larger size compared to most aquarium shrimp. They feature unique fan-like feeding arms that they use to filter food particles from the water column. Their peaceful nature makes them compatible with many community tanks.

These shrimp display reddish-brown stripes resembling bamboo, giving them their common name. Unlike many other shrimp species, bamboo shrimp are filter feeders that require good water flow to catch floating particles with their fans. They don’t eat algae like other shrimp, so they need a different approach to feeding.

• Care level: Moderate
• Size: 2-3.5 inches
• Lifespan: 2-3 years
• Water parameters: 75-82°F, pH 6.5-7.5, GH 4-10

7.Blue Tiger Shrimp (Caridina cantonensis var. “Blue Tiger”)

Blue Tiger shrimp feature a blue body with striking dark stripes that create a tiger-like pattern. These shrimp are more challenging to keep than Neocaridina species, making them appealing to hobbyists looking to advance their shrimp-keeping skills.

Their unique pattern stands out compared to solid-colored shrimp, and their active behavior makes them entertaining to watch. Blue Tigers prefer slightly acidic water and do well in tanks with active soil substrates that help maintain appropriate water chemistry.

• Care level: Moderate
• Size: 1-1.5 inches
• Lifespan: 1-2 years
• Water parameters: 65-75°F, pH 6.0-7.0, GH 4-6

8.Snowball Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi var. white)

Snowball shrimp display a pure white color that stands out dramatically against dark substrates. They share the same hardiness as other Neocaridina varieties, making them appropriate for beginners. Like their cherry and blue cousins, they breed readily in home aquariums.

These peaceful community dwellers look stunning in tanks with dark substrate and green plants for contrast, creating a striking visual display. Their ease of care combined with their distinctive appearance makes them popular choices for both dedicated shrimp tanks and appropriate community setups.

• Care level: Easy
• Size: 1-1.5 inches
• Lifespan: 1-2 years
• Water parameters: 65-85°F, pH 6.5-8.0, GH 4-8

9.Sulawesi Cardinal Shrimp (Caridina dennerli)

Sulawesi Cardinal shrimp feature striking white spots on a deep red body, creating an exotic appearance that stands out in any aquarium. These challenging shrimp are prized among serious shrimp keepers who enjoy the advanced care requirements they present.

Native to unusual alkaline lakes in Indonesia, they require specific water parameters that differ from most other aquarium shrimp. Their distinctive appearance and challenging nature make them a goal for many shrimp enthusiasts who have mastered more beginner-friendly species.

• Care level: Advanced
• Size: 1 inch
• Lifespan: 1-2 years
• Water parameters: 80-86°F, pH 7.5-8.5, GH 8-12

10.Yellow Gold Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi var. yellow)

Yellow Gold shrimp display a bright yellow color that brings a sunny appearance to any aquarium. Hardy like other Neocaridina varieties, they’re suitable for beginners and create a beautiful visual effect in planted tanks.

These shrimp stand out dramatically against green plants and dark substrate, creating a striking contrast. Their ease of breeding and beginner-friendly care requirements make them excellent choices for those new to shrimp keeping who want something more distinctive than the traditional red cherry shrimp.

• Care level: Easy
• Size: 1-1.5 inches
• Lifespan: 1-2 years
• Water parameters: 65-85°F, pH 6.5-8.0, GH 4-8

Getting Started with Shrimp

Ready to add shrimp to your aquarium? Follow these steps for the best chance of success:

1. Research the specific needs of your chosen shrimp species, paying particular attention to water parameter requirements.
2. Test and adjust your water parameters accordingly, making changes gradually over time.
3. Set up appropriate filtration and add plenty of plant cover to create a shrimp-friendly environment.
4. Start with a small group (5-10) of hardy shrimp to test your tank conditions.
5. Watch and enjoy as your shrimp explore their new home!