Crystal Red Shrimp
Caridina logemanni
Also known as: CRS, Crystal Black Shrimp, Hinomaru, Mosura
The iconic red-and-white dwarf shrimp that turned nano tanks into an art form.
About
Crystal Red Shrimp (Caridina logemanni) are small freshwater shrimp best known for their bold, banded patterning in red and white. Though selectively bred variants also produce the closely related black-and-white pattern sometimes sold as Crystal Black Shrimp. The hobby has developed an entire grading system around these shrimp, ranging from lower-grade specimens with irregular patterning to high-grade 'Hinomaru' or 'Mosura' forms where the white coverage is dense and nearly complete. In the wild, the species originates from soft, acidic streams in parts of Asia, and the aquarium strains still reflect that preference for clean, mineral-light water. They are peaceful, active little animals that spend their days grazing on biofilm, algae, and fine organic matter across every surface of the tank. A well-planted nano setup with stable water chemistry is where they genuinely thrive. Colony behavior is part of the appeal. A healthy group of Crystal Reds working their way across mosses and driftwood is genuinely engaging to watch. Despite being listed as beginner-friendly, success really does depend on keeping water parameters consistent, since shrimp are far more sensitive to sudden shifts than most fish. Get the setup stable first, then add the shrimp.
Similar species
Other invertebrate you might consider
Good tank mates
Species that tend to coexist peacefully with Crystal Red Shrimp
From the same region
Share the same natural habitat. Great for a biotope-themed tank
Frequently asked questions
- How big does the Crystal Red Shrimp get?
- The Crystal Red Shrimp reaches about 0.5–1" as an adult.
- What water parameters does the Crystal Red Shrimp need?
- The Crystal Red Shrimp does best with a temperature of 62–82°F, a pH of 4.5–8, hardness around 4–8 dGH.
- Is the Crystal Red Shrimp aggressive?
- The Crystal Red Shrimp is generally peaceful and suits a community tank with similarly calm tankmates.
- What does the Crystal Red Shrimp eat?
- The Crystal Red Shrimp is an omnivore. It does well on a varied diet of quality flake or pellet plus occasional frozen or live foods.