Family: Caridina
Distribution: Caridina sp. –or Cardinal Shrimp – is distributed in the lakes of the Indonesian island of Sulawesi.
PH: 7.0 – 8.5
Temperature: 25– 29°C (78 – 85°F)
Hardness: 4 – 6 dH
Description: The Cardinal Shrimp, just 2.5 cm in length, is a highly prized shrimp among experienced hobbyists. It has either a dark rose or light red colouration and has a series of breathtaking white dots along its side, some of which have a blue outline. The Cardinal Shrimp’s front legs are white; these move rapidly when feeding. Males and females, for the most part, look exactly the same.
Diet: Feed this dwarf shrimp once a day. The Cardinal Shrimp prefers to eat at night and has a typical shrimp diet. Some suggestions might include Shirakura food and algae water.
Breeding: Bred in freshwater, the Cardinal Shrimp has no larval stage. The females will carry the eggs until they hatch after 20 – 30 days. In fact the babies will immediately show the same colour as the adults and grow at a rapid rate.
Comments: In nature, Cardinal Shrimp live in the rocks. You could attempt to replicate the shrimp’s natural habitat by adding rocks for algae purposes. Many people also choose to use sand in their aquarium. But the Cardinal Shrimp, while it looks very pretty and seems easy enough to maintain, is one of the more difficult species to maintain. This is best left to advanced hobbyists.
Article/Books:
Recommended Compatible Species: Be careful if you are thinking of throwing Cardinals in with other fish species. They are small, non-aggressive and a prime target for predators. It is often a good idea to put the Cardinal Shrimp in a one-species tank, given its diminutive size and peaceful nature.
Originally posted 2009-12-20 10:54:45. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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