Ceylon dwarf shrimp (Caridina simoni) care guide

Group
Shrimp
Other names
Caridina kunnathurensis, Sri Lankan dwarf shrimp, Simon's shrimp
Family
Atyidae
Origin
Rivers and lakes of Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu, southern India
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
2.5 cm
Temperature
22–28°C
pH
6.5–7.5
Hardness
6–8 dGH, 3–6 dKH
Minimum tank
20 litres
Care level
intermediate
Temperament
peaceful

Care

Caridina simoni is a small freshwater shrimp from Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu in southern India, where it lives in both rivers and lakes. The population in India was first described as Caridina kunnathurensis in 1994 but was later found to be the same species, so that name is now a synonym. It is listed by the IUCN as least concern. In the hobby it is sold occasionally as the Ceylon or Sri Lankan dwarf shrimp, usually as a mostly clear to brownish shrimp with fine markings. Our sources have little on this species; the figures are general guidance, not from a source. Tank set-up: treat it like other small Caridina. A planted tank of 20 litres or more with moss, leaf litter, wood and a sponge filter suits it well. Keep a group of ten or more, and avoid any fish big enough to eat it. Water: warm tropical water of about 22–28 °C, pH around neutral and moderate hardness is a reasonable starting point. Keep the tank mature and stable, change water little and often, and drip-acclimatise new shrimp. Feeding: like other dwarf shrimp it spends most of its time grazing on biofilm, algae and detritus on plants, wood and leaves, so a mature tank with plenty of surfaces is more important than prepared food. Copper: copper-based medicines and some plant fertilisers are toxic to shrimp, snails and most invertebrates. Never dose them in a tank holding this animal, check the label of any treatment or fertiliser, and use a separate hospital tank for fish. Sources: Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caridinasimoni). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Grazes biofilm, soft algae and detritus. Supplement with small amounts of shrimp pellets, spirulina, blanched vegetables and leaf litter (oak, beech or Indian almond leaves), which also grow biofilm. Feed sparingly and remove uneaten food.

Breeding

Not well documented. Females carry eggs under the abdomen, as in other Caridina. It is not clear from our sources whether the young are born fully formed in fresh water or hatch as larvae that need brackish water like Amano shrimp; if berried females are seen but no young ever appear, the larvae may need a brackish stage. Females are usually larger and deeper-bodied than males.

Compatibility and tank mates

Peaceful and tiny. Safe with other dwarf shrimp, snails and very small peaceful fish that cannot eat adults, though fish will take shrimplets. Will not harm plants or other animals.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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