Tiger shrimp
Caridina mariae
FreshwaterShrimp
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 64–73°F
- 18–23°C
- pH
- 6.0–7.5
- Adult size
- 1.6 in
- 4 cm
- Minimum tank
- 7 gal
- 25 L
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Social
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Egg carrier · Medium
- Rarity
- Common
- Family
- Atyidae
- Origin
- Southern China and Hong Kong
Overview
The tiger shrimp is a peaceful Caridina for a cool, planted freshwater tank. It is best with a little experience.
Did you know
Tiger shrimp readily crossbreed with other Caridina of the same species group, like crystal and bee shrimp. That is how many mixed-up patterns end up in the hobby.
Caring for the tiger shrimp
Keep tiger shrimp in a group in a tank of 7 gal (25 L) or more, since shrimp are more confident and active in numbers. Set up a mature, planted tank with moss, fine cover and good filtration. They live on the bottom and over plants, grazing all day.
Tiger shrimp need cool water, below typical tropical temperatures, at 64 to 73°F (18 to 23°C). That often means a tank in a cool room or one with no heater. Keep the water soft to neutral at a pH of 6.0 to 7.5, with no copper and no big swings.
Feed biofilm, algae, blanched vegetables and the occasional shrimp pellet. They are peaceful, so house them only with small, gentle fish or other shrimp that will not eat them.
Tiger shrimp breed in fresh water without a larval saltwater stage. Females carry the eggs under the tail and release fully formed miniature shrimp. To keep a clean line, do not house them with related shrimp, since the offspring blend together over generations.
Good to know
The tiger shrimp, Caridina mariae, is a dwarf freshwater shrimp in the family Atyidae. It carries dark, tiger-like banding and often orange eyes.
In the wild
The tiger shrimp comes from southern China and Hong Kong. It lives in cool, clean, well-oxygenated streams with stable water.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
The tiger 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.
Neocaridina shrimp
Neocaridina davidi
Freshwater1.6 in (4 cm) · 5 gal (19 L)59–84°F (15–29°C)
Guppy
Poecilia reticulata
FreshwaterBrackish2.4 in (6 cm) · 10 gal (38 L)64–82°F (18–28°C)
Neon tetra
Paracheirodon innesi
Freshwater1.5 in (3.8 cm) · 11 gal (40 L)70–77°F (21–25°C)
Great pond snail
Lymnaea stagnalis
Freshwater2.4 in (6 cm) · 5 gal (20 L)64–75°F (18–24°C)
Dwarf cory
Gastrodermus hastatus
Freshwater1.3 in (3.2 cm) · 10 gal (38 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)
Celestial Pearl danio
Danio margaritatus
Freshwater0.8 in (2 cm) · 9 gal (35 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a tiger shrimp need?
A tiger shrimp needs at least 7 gal (25 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a tiger shrimp need?
A tiger shrimp is comfortable at 64–73°F (18–23°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.
What does a tiger shrimp eat?
A tiger shrimp grazes on biofilm and algae all day. Add blanched vegetables and the occasional shrimp pellet.
How big does a tiger shrimp get?
An adult tiger shrimp reaches about 1.6 in (4 cm).
How does a tiger shrimp breed?
A female tiger shrimp carries her eggs under the tail and releases fully formed miniature shrimp. There is no larval saltwater stage, so tiger shrimp breed in fresh water.
Related species
1.6 in (4 cm)5 gal (20 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)Red skunk shrimp
Caridina gracilirostris
1.6 in (4 cm) · 5 gal (20 L)
1.4 in (3.5 cm)5 gal (20 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)Short-nose algae shrimp
Caridina longirostris
1.4 in (3.5 cm) · 5 gal (20 L)
1.4 in (3.5 cm)5 gal (20 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)Sunkist shrimp
Caridina thambipillai
1.4 in (3.5 cm) · 5 gal (20 L)
2 in (5 cm)8 gal (30 L)59–81°F (15–27°C)Amano shrimp
Caridina multidentata
2 in (5 cm) · 8 gal (30 L)
1.2 in (3 cm)5 gal (19 L)64–75°F (18–24°C)Bee shrimp
Caridina logemanni
1.2 in (3 cm) · 5 gal (19 L)
1.2 in (3 cm)5 gal (19 L)64–75°F (18–24°C)Blue bolt shrimp
Caridina logemanni
1.2 in (3 cm) · 5 gal (19 L)