Caridina cantonensis sp. "Tiger Shrimp"

[P4Angels]

Tiger Shrimp



Caridina cantonensis sp. "Tiger"

Overview

The Tiger Shrimp is a wonderful species to have in your shrimp collection. Its yellow head and yellow tail really offset the black stripes along the body. The Tiger Shrimp is in fact a species from the wild that is able to be bred in freshwater. As the Tiger Shrimp becomes more widespread throughout the hobby it has become a popular species for the "novice" shrimp hobbyist. The Tiger Shrimp is a great "second step" due to the fact that it is slightly more difficult to breed than the Red Cherry Shrimp, can be housed with the Red Cherry Shrimp and is cheaper than most other shrimp in the hobby.

Background

The Tiger Shrimp is a wild species located in China as well as possibly other Asian countries. The Tiger Shrimp comes in many different wild colorations such as the Red Tiger Shrimp and more are also being discovered. Below is a photo of another wild variation of the Tiger Shrimp.

Water Parameters

The water parameters for the Tiger Shrimp are typically the same as other Tiger Shrimp species. A pH around 6.5.7.5 is suitable and this species also prefers softwater. Clean water is also a must as with all other shrimp and a temperature around 76-78F seems to suit the Tiger Shrimp best from my experience. This species will breed very well as long as its water parameters are proper and the water is clean. For some helpful information on keeping the Blue Tiger Shrimp please read the article Breeding Softwater Shrimp.

Breeding

Like all other species, the Tiger Shrimp will breed extremely well and reproduce around the clock as long as it is healthy and happy. The tank water must be very clean and free of contaminants to make sure that the Tiger Shrimp is indeed happy. Each female Tiger Shrimp produces roughly 20-25 hatchlings and will do so constantly if the shrimp is healthy. Once hatching a batch of eggs it should take no more than a week for the same female Tiger Shrimp to once again possess eggs. Breeding the this species is not difficult whatsoever and I believe it is not more difficult than breeding Red Cherry Shrimp. The photo below shows a close up of a female Tiger Shrimps' eggs.

Sexing

The female Tiger Shrimp are almost identical to the male Tiger Shrimp except for the round "undercarriage" below the females' body. The overall width of the body is also distinctly larger in the female Tiger Shrimp. The coloration stays the same for both male and female. You can see the difference if you observe the photo at the top of the page of a pregnant Tiger Shrimp and compare it to the picture below of a male Tiger Shrimp. Notice how the male Tiger Shrimp has no undercarriage and it is instead a straight line.

Feeding

Feeding the Tiger Shrimp is easy. They eat anything from blanched spinach, zucchini, algae wafers, shrimp Feeding is best done once a day. Only feed an amount of food that the shrimp can finish within 2-3 hours maximum. It is not good to feed in excess and have food sitting for too long. Overfeeding is a known cause of death and can also cause water quality issues. Remember that shrimp are scavengers in the wild. They will eat whatever they find and are not used to a constant food source 24/7. Not feeding for one or two days is fine and will not harm this species at all. Sometimes I will not feed for a couple of days in order to let the shrimp cleanse their systems and keep the water clean at the same time.

Special Notes

As with all aquatic invertebrates, it is important to make sure copper does not get into the aquarium. Copper is toxic to all Dwarf Shrimp. Many medications contain elevated levels of copper, so it is recommended not to medicate an aquarium containing Dwarf Shrimp.

[Jdmcfast]

P4 do you keep these?

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[BallAquatics]

Tiger shrimp are my favorite freshwater dwarf shrimp!  I've got some photos here somewhere.....

Dennis

[P4Angels]

Yes I have a small group of them

[Jdmcfast]

Yes I have a small group of them

Do they breed well for you?

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[Jo]

Are there any shrimp that can be kept in tank with angelfish or community tank?

[P4Angels]

From what I have read. Amano shrimp, but I don think I would keep them with a breeding pair !!  We had some red's in with a group of endlers and Albino BN's they did alright, but in a 55 gallon tanks they did not breed.