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Red skunk shrimp

Caridina gracilirostris

Also known as Red rhinoceros shrimp, Red nose shrimp, Pinocchio shrimp, Red front shrimp

FreshwaterBrackishShrimp

Red skunk shrimp (Caridina gracilirostris)
Oorenotsoo · Public domain

Care at a glance

Temperature
73–82°F
23–28°C
pH
6.8–8.0
Adult size
1.6 in
4 cm
Minimum tank
5 gal
20 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Egg carrier · Hard
Rarity
Common
Family
Atyidae
Origin
Coastal lowlands from India across Southeast Asia

Overview

The red skunk shrimp is an unusual, peaceful dwarf shrimp with a bright red rostrum pointing forward. It is best with a little experience.

Did you know

The red skunk shrimp can swim upside down under the surface film, grazing it nose first.

Caring for the red skunk shrimp

Keep red skunk shrimp in a group of ten or more, in a planted tank of 5 gal (20 L) or larger with moderate flow. They are peaceful and completely plant-safe.

Hold the water at 73 to 82°F (23 to 28°C) and a pH of 6.8 to 8.0, with some hardness. Red skunk shrimp are more sensitive to poor water than a cherry shrimp, so keep it clean. Feed a quality shrimp food, and let them graze biofilm.

Females carry eggs, but the young hatch as planktonic larvae that need brackish water to develop. A freshwater colony cannot replace itself, so stock has to be replaced from imports. Breeding them is hard.

Good to know

The red skunk shrimp is Caridina gracilirostris, a dwarf shrimp in the family Atyidae. Its long, spike-like rostrum gives it the alternate name rudolph shrimp. It is also sold as the red rhinoceros, red nose, Pinocchio or red front shrimp.

In the wild

Red skunk shrimp live in coastal lowland waters from India across Southeast Asia. They are found in fresh to slightly brackish conditions near river mouths.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The red skunk shrimp is a peaceful, social species that keeps to the bottom. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a red skunk shrimp need?

A red skunk shrimp needs at least 5 gal (20 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a red skunk shrimp need?

A red skunk shrimp is comfortable at 73–82°F (23–28°C) with a pH of 6.8–8.0.

What does a red skunk shrimp eat?

A red skunk shrimp eats a quality shrimp food and grazes biofilm.

How big does a red skunk shrimp get?

An adult red skunk shrimp reaches about 1.6 in (4 cm).

How does a red skunk shrimp breed?

A female red skunk shrimp carries her eggs, but the young hatch as planktonic larvae that need brackish water. A freshwater colony cannot replace itself, so breeding is hard.

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