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Common Name: |
Tiger Shrimp |
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Scientific Name: |
Caridina sp. "Tiger" (belongs to the Caridina serrata species complex) |
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Size: |
2.5-3.5cm |
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Temperature: |
best kept at 70°F-78°F |
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Water Parameters: |
Needs soft, acidic water to feel well and breed. Can survive for a while in slightly alkaline water, but usually no offspring survive after hatching. Adults seem to be shorter lived in alkaline water, too. |
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Food: |
Algae, fish food (flake pellets etc.) |
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Origin: |
probably southern China |
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Larval Development Type: |
Completely Suppressed: Larvae assume a benthic lifestyle after hatching, i.e. they are miniature versions of the adults. There is no planktonic larval stage. |
The Tiger Shrimp is an unusual looking, beautiful algae eating shrimp. Where exactly it comes from is still a mystery. In its habits and morphology it is very similar to the bee shrimp and, as the bee shrimp, it belong to the "Caridina serrata" species complex. Although the normal coloration is attractive enough, there is also a deep blue version of the Tiger Shrimp, which is not yet breeding true, a true-breeding completely black version, and a variety with bright orange head and tail. Hopefully we can get some of these other varieties here in North America also.
This shrimp crosses with the Bee Shrimp, the Chinese Zebra Shrimp and the Crystal Red Shrimp, so you should keep these species in separate tanks if you want to avoid hybrids.
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