Dwarf freshwater shrimp such as Red Cherry Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi), Amano Shrimp, and Crystal Red Shrimp (Caridina cantonensis) have become enormously popular. They require very clean water with zero ammonia and nitrite, low nitrate (under 20ppm), and stable parameters. Neocaridina shrimp (Cherry, Blue Dream, Yellow Fire) are the hardiest and tolerate neutral pH and moderate hardness. Caridina shrimp (Crystal Red, Blue Bolt) require soft, acidic water and RO water remineralised with a dedicated shrimp mineral. Use a sponge filter to prevent juveniles being sucked in. Avoid copper in any form – it is lethal to shrimp. Related equipment: Hikari Bacto-Surge Sponge Filter, API Master Test Kit Freshwater. Related plants: Java Moss, Flame Moss, Subwassertang (ideal shrimp cover plants).
