Care guide · Freshwater shrimp

Tiger shrimp

Caridina mariae

Photo: Ricks · Source · CC BY-SA 3.0Resized and compressed; no cropping or colour changes.

The tiger shrimp combines a translucent body with conspicuous dark stripes. Caridina mariae is a distinct species, not a striped cherry shrimp or simply another name for a bee shrimp. Various selected colours are kept, but maintenance must suit the particular line and stable water conditions. A mature, finely planted species aquarium makes feeding, moulting and breeding easiest to observe. In a mixed aquarium, survival of tiny offspring is especially uncertain. This guide addresses the species with its characteristic tiger pattern; unclear commercial hybrids require additional information about their origin.

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At a glance

Temperature: 20–24 °C
pH: 6.5–7.5
GH: 6–12 °dGH
KH: 1–6 °dKH
Difficulty: Moderate
Diet: Omnivore
Plant safety: Yes
Minimum aquarium volume: At least 30 L
Adult size: Approximately 2.5–3 cm
Group size: At least 10 individuals
Swimming zone: Bottom
Temperament: Peaceful
Cover: Suitable plants, Wood

Figures are cautious husbandry guidance, not a full stocking calculation. Missing values are insufficiently supported. Read layout, water and pairing conditions together.

About this species

Caridina mariae was formally described in 2014. Older aquarium accounts often use Caridina cf. cantonensis for tiger shrimp, placing different species under one name. Sloping dark bands on a relatively transparent body help recognition, although selected colours may alter these features. Adults reach roughly two and a half to three centimetres. Females are generally more robust and become readily recognisable when carrying eggs. The ordinary tiger pattern pictured does not represent every blue, red or orange-eyed commercial line.

Natural habitat

The species originates in southern China. Its original description links identity to examined specimens and localities, whereas aquarium lines are now bred under varied conditions. A low conductivity measured in the wild should not be treated as a mandatory target for every cultured line. Clean, oxygenated water and plentiful established surfaces support grazing. Wood and plants can create quieter pockets without forming stagnant, polluted corners.

Aquarium and layout

Prefer at least 30 litres for a starting group of ten. This is a practical basis for stable maintenance; fish added later retain their own space requirements. Protect filter intakes and prevent fine sponges becoming excessively clogged. Attach moss to wood or stone and provide a visible feeding area. An inert substrate can work when the water is already appropriate. Active soil is not mandatory for every tiger line and may introduce unnecessary changes if used without understanding its effect.

Water conditions

Around 20–24 °C and slightly acidic to neutral water are useful starting conditions. Tiger lines are often kept with more GH and KH than highly selected bee shrimp. Ask for measured breeding conditions and prepare the transition carefully. Central values are a conservative maintenance range, not a claim that every animal can be introduced without acclimation. Measure GH and KH separately. Conductivity is useful for following change, but a TDS number without knowing water composition is not a complete analysis.

Behaviour and group size

Tiger shrimp graze over accessible surfaces and seek cover when disturbed. Their size makes quiet neighbours and monitorable feeding areas important. One hiding shrimp may be moulting; prolonged disappearance of an entire group calls for checks of predators and conditions. Lift wood carefully and inspect plant trimmings for juveniles. Do not increase numbers solely because space appears available: natural growth and reliable maintenance also determine capacity.

Feeding

Provide biofilm and supplement selectively with complete food for small grazing shrimp. They can nibble a sinking granule gradually, so its diameter does not have precisely the same meaning as for a fish swallowing it whole. Very large or hard pieces remain impractical. Distribute small portions and prevent faster tankmates carrying everything away. Suitable dried leaves add grazing surfaces. Do not neglect the aquarium to create detritus: productive surfaces and poor water quality are different things.

Breeding

Females carry eggs under the abdomen and release small freshwater shrimp after development. No saltwater larval phase is necessary. Incubation varies, making a general period of several weeks more appropriate than a precise promise. Young need food near refuges and protection from filter intakes. Tiger and bee lines can be crossed; some modern trade names describe such hybrids. Record origins separately if offering pure species or breeding lines.

Keeping with fish

Keeping tiger shrimp with small fish requires distinguishing adult survival from juvenile recruitment. A quiet tetra may ignore a large shrimp yet take a newborn. Dense plants do not turn this into safety. Bettas and territorial dwarf cichlids may also harass larger shrimp. Choose a larger, appropriate layout if deliberately trying tankmates, and retain the ability to separate them. Read the individual fish assessments, including water and behaviour requirements.

Keeping with other invertebrates

Small peaceful snails may fit, but their need for shell-friendly water must match the chosen tiger line. Neocaridina and tiger shrimp are different species, yet feeding competition and water still require assessment. Bee shrimp add both a hybridisation question and potentially a different water target. Dwarf crayfish may catch small shrimp and are not a logical addition to a breeding group. The freshwater label says nothing by itself about compatibility.

Exoskeleton, shell and minerals

Moulting is part of normal growth and exoskeleton renewal. Provide several sheltered places rather than one busy cave. Keep mineral composition and water-change routines predictable. A shed exoskeleton can remain in a normally maintained tank. Investigate water changes, temperature, nutrition and other burdens if problems recur. Adding calcium, salt or vitamins without an established need is not a standard element of this care.

Possible problems

Deaths following a change call for review of maintenance and measured water conditions. Check filtration and oxygen, particularly in warmer weather. Do not use copper-containing treatments or other products without checking explicit suitability and application. A white area, colour loss or reduced activity can have several causes and is insufficient for diagnosis. Persistent problems warrant knowledgeable assessment rather than random treatment or simultaneous changes to the entire aquarium.