Here in Hong Kong each crystal red cost about US$12 some years ago, recently it's US$5 each. However, I don't know why a shop is selling them for US$2 each. All other shops sell adult shrimps only, whilst that shop sells baby and teenage crystal red. I don't know how to distinguish their grade, but this shop sells adult Cherry and small Crystal Red for the same price. I don't understand why.
I saw what they call Chess Shrimp days ago. Wow, this species is as tiny as Cherry or Crystal Red, but it cost US$30 for one.
I would LOVE to be able to go into a shop and buy those shrimp for $2 each!
Sadly, these shrimp are still very rare here in America and low quality specimins are even too expensive for me to consider. I'm just hoping and waiting for some quality CRS to become available for a price I can afford.
I cannot wait to go back to Hong Kong when I visit my relatives and friends again to get a hold of those Crystal Red Shrimps. For that low price, I will definitely be buying the "whole tank" of it ..... just kidding.
I have a feeling that crystal reds are now bred in large ponds in fish farms, just like some of the other shrimp from that area. There is no other way that the prices can be that low otherwise...and, as we all know, crystal reds don't occur in the wild, so they are definitely not "wild-caught."