Crystal Shrimps

Crystal shrimp are popular freshwater aquarium crustaceans belonging to the species Caridina cantonensis. They are best known for their vivid, high-contrast block patterns (such as red-and-white or black-and-white striping).

The breeding trend of Crystal shrimps originated in Japan. The original crystal red shrimp has been hybridized and innovated into new patterns in Taiwan, just to name a few: King Kong, Galaxy and so on. Taiwan has proved its advanced breeding skills to the world through these new species.

Having high ornamental value, being able to breed in an aquarium and having the possibility to hybridize (e.g. tiger shrimp and bee shrimp) make crystal shrimp an ideal candidate in the fickle aquatic industry. Recently more and more shrimp contests were held throughout the world. We believe the trend of crystal shrimp will take more people’s attractions in the future. It accelerates the growth of nitrifying bacteria, helping the water quality stabilize more quickly. There are many such products on the market today; some even claim that shrimp can be added as early as 2 to 3 days after setting up the tank.

Crystal shrimp are a rare and adorable aquarium pet, much loved by fish and shrimp enthusiasts alike. However, crystal shrimp are quite “difficult to keep”, especially for beginners, who often encounter all sorts of problems when raising them. At best, the shrimp won’t carry eggs; at worst, they die suddenly for no apparent reason. So what exactly makes keeping crystal shrimp so challenging? So, how can you ensure your shrimp thrive?

Setting Up a Shrimp Tank

Choose a glass aquarium—preferably one that is 60 cm, 90 cm, 120 cm, or larger. Not only is it easier to find suitable equipment, such as filters and lighting, but a tank that is too small also holds less water, making it difficult to maintain stable water quality. Fluctuations in water quality in small tanks are often the key factor determining the survival rate of crystal shrimp.

The most common substrate used for keeping crystal shrimp is mud. Some brands of mud help maintain slightly acidic water conditions, which are beneficial for the growth and reproduction of crystal shrimp. Some people also recommend first laying a layer of volcanic rock on the substrate, followed by a layer of mud. The volcanic rock at the bottom promotes bacterial growth, which helps break down harmful substances produced by aquatic organisms.

Moss is the most commonly used aquatic plant in crystal shrimp tanks, mainly because it requires very minimal care—simply tie it to a piece of driftwood, and it’s ready to go. It’s not only aesthetically pleasing but also provides hiding spots for the shrimp, especially during the most vulnerable period right after molting. Additionally, the shrimp enjoy nibbling on the algae that grows on the driftwood. Finally, installing lighting—provided the bulbs are appropriate—can truly bring out the crystal shrimp’s body color.

Bladder Control

During the first 3 to 5 days after the shrimp are introduced to the tank, they won’t starve if they don’t eat; feeding them too early will cause uneaten food to rot and degrade water quality. Begin feeding after the 5th day, gradually increasing the amount. If you have 10 to 30 shrimp, feed them twice a week. If you have 30 to 50 shrimp, feed them three times a week. If you have more than 50, consider increasing the number of feeding days. However, do not follow the recommended feeding amounts provided on the food packaging, as the manufacturer does not know how many shrimp are in your tank.

Tips for Changing Water

Crystal shrimp hate change more than anything, so what they fear most is a tank reset. However, if you notice the shrimp’s color fading, it’s a sign that water quality is beginning to deteriorate! If you have no choice but to perform a water change, be sure to prepare thoroughly beforehand. Ideally, recreate an environment with identical water conditions before scooping the shrimp out. If that’s not possible, start by draining no more than one-quarter of the water from the bottom and replacing it with fresh, purified water. Control the water flow carefully and proceed as gently as possible. After the water change, you can even add some nitrifying bacteria to help the aquarium’s filtration and nitrification systems quickly reestablish and recover. Thanks to the hard work of these bacteria, ammonia levels in the tank will remain within safe limits, preventing and minimizing harm to your fish and shrimp.

Consistent Feeding

Shrimp food is another issue that causes a lot of headaches. You can feed them specialized crystal shrimp food, such as snowflake pellets, microbial powder, or olive leaf. The most important thing when feeding shrimp is to maintain consistency; don’t change the type of food on a whim. If you want to keep your shrimp in top condition, ask the seller what the shrimp were previously fed, and simply continue with that feeding regimen. Of course, you can adjust the variety of foods as needed, but don’t neglect the foods they were previously eating.

It is essential to condition the water

Once the shrimp tank is set up, the next step is to cycle the water. Crystal shrimp are very sensitive to water temperature, so the water-cycling process is crucial. It is recommended to maintain the temperature between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius. At this temperature, crystal shrimp are more active, grow faster, and lay eggs more quickly, and you won’t have to worry about it getting too cold in the winter. After turning on the filter, let the shrimp tank’s circulation system run for 2 to 3 days, then change one-third or half of the water. Continue changing the water 1 to 2 times per week. Repeat this process for at least 2 to 3 weeks before beneficial bacteria begin to grow in the filter, the substrate, and the water. Only then will the nitrification system begin to mature, and water quality will start to stabilize.

If you have any aquatic plants, you’ll notice signs that they’re growing steadily. At this point, you can add a few crystal shrimp to test the water. If, after 3 to 5 days, they’re thriving and molting normally, then this stage of setting up the aquarium can be considered complete. This indicates that the water quality has met the requirements for raising crystal shrimp, so you can add more crystal shrimp to the tank. If you want to speed up the cycling process, you can add some nitrifying bacteria available on the market.

Source: https://www.tkww.hk/epaper/view/newsDetail/1732444431061225472.html