Aquariumshrimp · freshwater
Crystal Red Shrimp: adult size, tank size & tankmates
The Crystal Red Shrimp (Caridina cantonensis var. 'Crystal Red') grows to about 1.5 in (3.8 cm TL). It needs a tank at least about 10 gallons. Keep it at 71–76°F.
How big it really gets
Drawn to scale against common tank lengths. Green bars meet the minimum tank length from our sources.
Will it fit your tank?
Quick facts
- Adult size
- 1.5 in (3.8 cm TL)
- Minimum tank
- about 10 gallons
- Temperature
- 71–76°F
- pH
- 5.8–7
- Hardness
- 4–6 dGH
- Group size
- not stated
- With other fish
- peaceful
- With its own kind
- peaceful
- Swims
- bottom of the tank
- Diet
- omnivore
- Care level
- intermediate
- Lifespan
- 2 years
Crystal Red Shrimp tankmates
Checked with the same rules as our tank builder: temperature overlap, pH and hardness, predation and mouth size, fin-nipping and temperament. Tank size is left out here; check it in the builder.
Good tankmates
- Chili RasboraAdult ~0.9 in · 68–82°F
- Pygmy CoryAdult ~1.4 in · 72–79°F
- Bristlenose PlecoAdult ~5.9 in · 70–79°F
- OtocinclusNeeds careAdult ~1.7 in · 70–79°F
- Cherry ShrimpAdult ~1.6 in · 65–82°F
- Amano ShrimpAdult ~2 in · 70–80°F
- Japanese Trapdoor SnailAdult ~2.6 in · 68–85°F
- Malaysian Trumpet SnailAdult ~3.1 in · 70–80°F
- Bamboo ShrimpAdult ~4 in · 71–82°F
- Ghost ShrimpAdult ~2 in · 72–82°F
Use caution
- Neon TetraNeon Tetra may eat baby Crystal Red Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets.
- Cardinal TetraCardinal Tetra may eat baby Crystal Red Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets.
- Harlequin RasboraHarlequin Rasbora may eat baby Crystal Red Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets.
- Ember TetraEmber Tetra may eat baby Crystal Red Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets.
- Celestial Pearl DanioCelestial Pearl Danio may eat baby Crystal Red Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets.
- Cherry BarbCherry Barb may eat baby Crystal Red Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets.
- Rummy-nose TetraRummy-nose Tetra may eat baby Crystal Red Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets.
- Black Neon TetraBlack Neon Tetra may eat baby Crystal Red Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets.
Avoid
- BettaNeeds careBetta will eat Crystal Red Shrimp.
- German Blue RamNeeds careCrystal Red Shrimp (71–76°F) and German Blue Ram (81–86°F) need different temperatures.
- AngelfishNeeds careCrystal Red Shrimp and Angelfish only share 75–76°F. That's a tight window.
- Tiger BarbNeeds careTiger Barb will eat Crystal Red Shrimp.
- SwordtailNeeds careSwordtail will eat Crystal Red Shrimp.
- Boesemani RainbowfishCrystal Red Shrimp (71–76°F) and Boesemani Rainbowfish (81–86°F) need different temperatures.
- Bala SharkOutgrows tanksBala Shark will eat Crystal Red Shrimp.
- Black Skirt TetraBlack Skirt Tetra will eat Crystal Red Shrimp.
All 105 species we checked against the Crystal Red Shrimp
| Species | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Amano Shrimp | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Bamboo Shrimp | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Bristlenose Pleco | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Cherry Shrimp | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Chili Rasbora | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Clown Pleco | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Ghost Shrimp | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Hillstream Loach | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Japanese Trapdoor Snail | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Malaysian Trumpet Snail | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Otocinclus | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Peppered Cory | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Pygmy Cory | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| African Dwarf Frog | Caution | African Dwarf Frog may eat baby Crystal Red Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets. |
| Assassin Snail | Caution | Crystal Red Shrimp and Assassin Snail only share 75–76°F. That's a tight window.; Crystal Red Shrimp (pH 5.8–7) and Assassin Snail (pH 7.5–8) prefer different pH. |
| Black Neon Tetra | Caution | Black Neon Tetra may eat baby Crystal Red Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets. |
| Bleeding Heart Tetra | Caution | Bleeding Heart Tetra may eat baby Crystal Red Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets. |
| Bolivian Ram | Caution | Crystal Red Shrimp and Bolivian Ram only share 75–76°F. That's a tight window.; Bolivian Ram may eat baby Crystal Red Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets. |
| Bronze Cory | Caution | Bronze Cory may eat baby Crystal Red Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets. |
| Bumblebee Goby | Caution | Bumblebee Goby may eat baby Crystal Red Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets.; Crystal Red Shrimp (4–6 dGH) and Bumblebee Goby (8–20 dGH) prefer different water hardness. |
| Cardinal Tetra | Caution | Cardinal Tetra may eat baby Crystal Red Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets. |
| Celestial Pearl Danio | Caution | Celestial Pearl Danio may eat baby Crystal Red Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets. |
| Cherry Barb | Caution | Cherry Barb may eat baby Crystal Red Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets. |
| Clown Killifish | Caution | Clown Killifish may eat baby Crystal Red Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets. |
| Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid | Caution | Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid may eat baby Crystal Red Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets. |
| Common Pleco | Caution | Crystal Red Shrimp (4–6 dGH) and Common Pleco (10–20 dGH) prefer different water hardness. |
| Diamond Tetra | Caution | Crystal Red Shrimp and Diamond Tetra only share 75–76°F. That's a tight window.; Diamond Tetra may eat baby Crystal Red Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets. |
| Dwarf Gourami | Caution | Dwarf Gourami may eat baby Crystal Red Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets. |
| Dwarf Neon Rainbowfish | Caution | Dwarf Neon Rainbowfish may eat baby Crystal Red Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets. |
| Ember Tetra | Caution | Ember Tetra may eat baby Crystal Red Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets. |
| Endler's Livebearer | Caution | Crystal Red Shrimp and Endler's Livebearer only share 75–76°F. That's a tight window.; Endler's Livebearer may eat baby Crystal Red Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets. |
| Forktail Blue-eye | Caution | Crystal Red Shrimp and Forktail Blue-eye only share 75–76°F. That's a tight window.; Forktail Blue-eye may eat baby Crystal Red Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets. |
| Giant Danio | Caution | Giant Danio may eat baby Crystal Red Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets. |
| Glass Catfish | Caution | Glass Catfish may eat baby Crystal Red Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets. |
| Glowlight Tetra | Caution | Crystal Red Shrimp and Glowlight Tetra only share 75–76°F. That's a tight window.; Glowlight Tetra may eat baby Crystal Red Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets. |
| Gold Barb | Caution | Gold Barb may eat baby Crystal Red Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets. |
| Guppy | Caution | Guppy may eat baby Crystal Red Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets.; Crystal Red Shrimp (4–6 dGH) and Guppy (8–30 dGH) prefer different water hardness. |
| Harlequin Rasbora | Caution | Harlequin Rasbora may eat baby Crystal Red Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets. |
| Head-and-tail-light Tetra | Caution | Crystal Red Shrimp and Head-and-tail-light Tetra only share 75–76°F. That's a tight window.; Head-and-tail-light Tetra may eat baby Crystal Red Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets. |
| Honey Gourami | Caution | Honey Gourami may eat baby Crystal Red Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets. |
| Julii Cory | Caution | Julii Cory may eat baby Crystal Red Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets. |
| Kissing Gourami | Caution | Kissing Gourami may eat baby Crystal Red Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets. |
| Kribensis | Caution | Crystal Red Shrimp and Kribensis only share 75–76°F. That's a tight window.; Kribensis may eat baby Crystal Red Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets. |
| Kuhli Loach | Caution | Kuhli Loach may eat baby Crystal Red Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets. |
| Lambchop Rasbora | Caution | Lambchop Rasbora may eat baby Crystal Red Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets. |
| Lemon Tetra | Caution | Lemon Tetra may eat baby Crystal Red Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets. |
| Marbled Hatchetfish | Caution | Marbled Hatchetfish may eat baby Crystal Red Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets. |
| Molly | Caution | Molly may eat baby Crystal Red Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets.; Crystal Red Shrimp (4–6 dGH) and Molly (15–30 dGH) prefer different water hardness. |
| Mystery Snail | Caution | Crystal Red Shrimp (pH 5.8–7) and Mystery Snail (pH unknown) prefer different pH.; Crystal Red Shrimp (4–6 dGH) and Mystery Snail (unknown dGH) prefer different water hardness. |
| Neon Tetra | Caution | Neon Tetra may eat baby Crystal Red Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets. |
| Nerite Snail | Caution | Crystal Red Shrimp (pH 5.8–7) and Nerite Snail (pH 8–8.4) prefer different pH. |
| Odessa Barb | Caution | Odessa Barb may eat baby Crystal Red Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets. |
| Panda Cory | Caution | Panda Cory may eat baby Crystal Red Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets. |
| Pearl Danio | Caution | Pearl Danio may eat baby Crystal Red Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets. |
| Pearl Gourami | Caution | Crystal Red Shrimp and Pearl Gourami only share 75–76°F. That's a tight window.; Pearl Gourami may eat baby Crystal Red Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets. |
| Penguin Tetra | Caution | Penguin Tetra may eat baby Crystal Red Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets. |
| Platy | Caution | Platy may eat baby Crystal Red Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets.; Crystal Red Shrimp (4–6 dGH) and Platy (10–30 dGH) prefer different water hardness. |
| Pristella Tetra | Caution | Pristella Tetra may eat baby Crystal Red Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets. |
| Ramshorn Snail | Caution | Crystal Red Shrimp (4–6 dGH) and Ramshorn Snail (8–18 dGH) prefer different water hardness. |
| Rummy-nose Tetra | Caution | Rummy-nose Tetra may eat baby Crystal Red Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets. |
| Siamese Algae Eater | Caution | Siamese Algae Eater may eat baby Crystal Red Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets. |
| Silver Hatchetfish | Caution | Silver Hatchetfish may eat baby Crystal Red Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets. |
| Silver Tip Tetra | Caution | Silver Tip Tetra may eat baby Crystal Red Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets. |
| Sparkling Gourami | Caution | Sparkling Gourami may eat baby Crystal Red Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets. |
| Sterbai Cory | Caution | Crystal Red Shrimp and Sterbai Cory only share 75–76°F. That's a tight window. |
| Upside-down Catfish | Caution | Crystal Red Shrimp and Upside-down Catfish only share 75–76°F. That's a tight window.; Upside-down Catfish may eat baby Crystal Red Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets. |
| Variatus Platy | Caution | Variatus Platy may eat baby Crystal Red Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets.; Crystal Red Shrimp (4–6 dGH) and Variatus Platy (14–30 dGH) prefer different water hardness. |
| White Cloud Mountain Minnow | Caution | Crystal Red Shrimp and White Cloud Mountain Minnow only share 71–72°F. That's a tight window.; White Cloud Mountain Minnow may eat baby Crystal Red Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets. |
| Zebra Danio | Caution | Zebra Danio may eat baby Crystal Red Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets. |
| Angelfish | Avoid | Crystal Red Shrimp and Angelfish only share 75–76°F. That's a tight window.; Angelfish will eat Crystal Red Shrimp. |
| Bala Shark | Avoid | Bala Shark will eat Crystal Red Shrimp. |
| Betta | Avoid | Betta will eat Crystal Red Shrimp. |
| Black Skirt Tetra | Avoid | Black Skirt Tetra will eat Crystal Red Shrimp. |
| Blood Parrot Cichlid | Avoid | Crystal Red Shrimp and Blood Parrot Cichlid only share 76–76°F. That's a tight window.; Blood Parrot Cichlid will eat Crystal Red Shrimp. |
| Boesemani Rainbowfish | Avoid | Crystal Red Shrimp (71–76°F) and Boesemani Rainbowfish (81–86°F) need different temperatures.; Boesemani Rainbowfish will eat Crystal Red Shrimp. |
| Buenos Aires Tetra | Avoid | Buenos Aires Tetra will eat Crystal Red Shrimp. |
| Chinese Algae Eater | Avoid | Chinese Algae Eater will eat Crystal Red Shrimp. |
| Clown Loach | Avoid | Crystal Red Shrimp and Clown Loach only share 75–76°F. That's a tight window.; Clown Loach will eat Crystal Red Shrimp. |
| Common / Comet Goldfish | Avoid | Common / Comet Goldfish will eat Crystal Red Shrimp. |
| Congo Tetra | Avoid | Congo Tetra will eat Crystal Red Shrimp. |
| Convict Cichlid | Avoid | Crystal Red Shrimp and Convict Cichlid only share 75–76°F. That's a tight window.; Convict Cichlid will eat Crystal Red Shrimp. |
| Denison Barb | Avoid | Denison Barb will eat Crystal Red Shrimp. |
| Discus | Avoid | Crystal Red Shrimp (71–76°F) and Discus (79–86°F) need different temperatures.; Discus may eat baby Crystal Red Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets. |
| Electric Blue Acara | Avoid | Electric Blue Acara will eat Crystal Red Shrimp. |
| Electric Yellow Lab | Avoid | Crystal Red Shrimp and Electric Yellow Lab only share 75–76°F. That's a tight window.; Electric Yellow Lab will eat Crystal Red Shrimp. |
| Fancy Goldfish | Avoid | Crystal Red Shrimp (71–76°F) and Fancy Goldfish (50–70°F) need different temperatures.; Fancy Goldfish will eat Crystal Red Shrimp. |
| Firemouth Cichlid | Avoid | Firemouth Cichlid will eat Crystal Red Shrimp. |
| German Blue Ram | Avoid | Crystal Red Shrimp (71–76°F) and German Blue Ram (81–86°F) need different temperatures.; German Blue Ram may eat baby Crystal Red Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets. |
| Iridescent Shark | Avoid | Iridescent Shark will eat Crystal Red Shrimp. |
| Moonlight Gourami | Avoid | Crystal Red Shrimp (71–76°F) and Moonlight Gourami (77–86°F) need different temperatures.; Moonlight Gourami will eat Crystal Red Shrimp. |
| Oscar | Avoid | Oscar will eat Crystal Red Shrimp. |
| Paradise Fish | Avoid | Crystal Red Shrimp and Paradise Fish only share 71–72°F. That's a tight window.; Paradise Fish will eat Crystal Red Shrimp. |
| Pea Puffer | Avoid | Pea Puffer will eat Crystal Red Shrimp. |
| Pictus Catfish | Avoid | Pictus Catfish will eat Crystal Red Shrimp. |
| Rainbow Shark | Avoid | Rainbow Shark will eat Crystal Red Shrimp. |
| Red-Tail Shark | Avoid | Red-Tail Shark will eat Crystal Red Shrimp. |
| Rosy Barb | Avoid | Rosy Barb will eat Crystal Red Shrimp. |
| Scissortail Rasbora | Avoid | Scissortail Rasbora will eat Crystal Red Shrimp. |
| Serpae Tetra | Avoid | Serpae Tetra will eat Crystal Red Shrimp. |
| Swordtail | Avoid | Swordtail will eat Crystal Red Shrimp.; Crystal Red Shrimp (4–6 dGH) and Swordtail (10–25 dGH) prefer different water hardness. |
| Three-spot Gourami | Avoid | Crystal Red Shrimp and Three-spot Gourami only share 75–76°F. That's a tight window.; Three-spot Gourami will eat Crystal Red Shrimp. |
| Tiger Barb | Avoid | Tiger Barb will eat Crystal Red Shrimp. |
| Tinfoil Barb | Avoid | Tinfoil Barb will eat Crystal Red Shrimp. |
| Weather Loach | Avoid | Weather Loach will eat Crystal Red Shrimp. |
| Yoyo Loach | Avoid | Yoyo Loach will eat Crystal Red Shrimp. |
Care notes
Needs: Soft acidic water: GH 4-6, KH 0-2 (ShrimpScience) / 0-4 (TSF), TDS 100-180 (ShrimpScience) / 100-200 (TSF); stable parameters; only the most peaceful tankmates (small fish may eat shrimp)
Group: Kept as a colony; no source states a minimum number; FKW: a couple of gallons per shrimp, males do not fight
Temperament: peaceful toward other fish, peaceful toward its own kind. Lives in the bottom of the tank.
Common questions
How big does a Crystal Red Shrimp get?
About 1.5 inches (3.8 cm TL) as an adult, according to theshrimpfarm.com.
What size tank does a Crystal Red Shrimp need?
At least about 10 gallons. The smallest standard tank that meets that is a 10 gallon.
What fish can live with a Crystal Red Shrimp?
Species that passed every check include Chili Rasbora, Pygmy Cory, Bristlenose Pleco, Otocinclus, Cherry Shrimp, Amano Shrimp.
Gear for a Crystal Red Shrimp setup
TankSmallest standard tank that meets its minimum: 10 gallon (20 in long).Find on Amazon →HeaterAbout 50 W for 10 gallons, holding 71–76°F.Find on Amazon →FoodA quality flake or micro-pellet as a staple.Find on Amazon →Test kitCheck ammonia, nitrite and pH. Cycle the tank before adding fish.Find on Amazon →
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Related guides
Sources
Values come from these pages, in our own words. Status: verified (independent spot-check). Last reviewed 2026-10-12.
- theshrimpfarm.com /posts/shrimp-caresheet-crystal-red-shrimp/
- shrimpscience.com /species/caridina/crystal-red-shrimp/
- fishkeepingworld.com /crystal-red-shrimp/