Okinawa cleaner shrimp

Neocaridina denticulata

Also known as Caridina denticulata, Okinawa algae shrimp

FreshwaterShrimp

Okinawa cleaner shrimp (Neocaridina denticulata) — t.ohashi · CC BY 2.0

Care at a glance

Temperature: 64–79°F (18–26°C)
pH: 6.5–7.8
Adult size: 1.2 in (3 cm)
Minimum tank: 5 gal (20 L)
Temperament: Peaceful
Social behavior: Social
Swim level: Bottom
Difficulty: Easy
Breeding: Easy
Rarity: Rare
Origin: Streams of the Ryukyu Islands and southern Japan
Family: Atyidae

Overview

This is a hardy dwarf shrimp that runs a cleanup crew just like its famous red cousin, only in plain translucent dress. It is peaceful and social, so keep a group and let it graze algae and biofilm across rock, plants, and wood all day. It suits a nano or planted community, paired only with small, calm fish that will not eat shrimp. Feed almost nothing at first in a mature tank, then supplement with a quality shrimp food, blanched vegetables, and a pinch of frozen food. A tank of around 20 liters or larger is enough, and it tolerates cooler rooms better than most tropical shrimp.

In the wild

The Okinawa cleaner shrimp comes from cool, clear streams in the Ryukyu Islands and southern Japan, grazing algae from stones in flowing subtropical water. It does not need heat: a range of 18–26 C suits it, and an unheated room often works. Keep the water clean and well oxygenated at close to neutral, roughly pH 6.5–7.8, over a scape of rock, wood, and plants that grows a good film of algae.

Good to know

Neocaridina denticulata belongs to Atyidae, the dwarf shrimp family, and reaches about 3 centimeters. Unlike shrimp with a marine larval stage, it is a direct developer, so breeding is easy: females carry their eggs under the tail and release fully formed miniature shrimp that stay in fresh water. Given stable conditions and enough of them, a colony builds steadily on its own.

Did you know

For years the shrimp sold as Neocaridina denticulata were actually the cherry shrimp, a separate species. The true denticulata is this understated Japanese native, which mostly stayed home while its painted relative took over the hobby.

Tank mates

Okinawa cleaner shrimp is a peaceful, social species that keeps to the bottom. These picks match on water type, temperature, pH, size and temperament.