Malaya shrimp (Caridina babaulti) care guide

Group
Shrimp
Other names
Green Malaya shrimp, Stripe shrimp, Zebra shrimp (Malaya), Caridina cf. babaulti
Family
Atyidae
Origin
South and Southeast Asia; described from India, with trade stock often from Malaysia
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
3 cm
Temperature
22–27°C
pH
6.5–7.5
Hardness
6–10 dGH, 2–6 dKH
Minimum tank
30 litres
Care level
beginner
Temperament
peaceful
Lifespan
1–2 years

Care

The Malaya shrimp is a small dwarf shrimp of the Atyidae family. It comes in several colour forms, including green, brown and a striped or banded form, and individuals can change shade with mood, substrate and diet. Adults reach about 3 cm. Shrimp sold under this name may not all be the same species, and some are labelled Caridina cf. babaulti because their exact identity is uncertain. Our sources have little on this species; the figures are general guidance, not from a source. Set-up: a planted tank of 30 litres or more with moss, wood and leaf litter suits a group of ten or more. Use a sponge filter or a sponge over the filter intake so young shrimp are not drawn in. They are hardier than bee shrimp and adapt to a wider range of water. Water: as general guidance, warm, clean, neutral water of about 22–27 °C and pH 6.5–7.5 with moderate hardness suits them. Keep ammonia and nitrite at zero, change water regularly with water of matching temperature, and avoid sudden swings. Behaviour and role: peaceful grazers that pick biofilm, soft algae and detritus from plants and hardscape. They are a good, inexpensive choice for a planted community of small fish. Copper: copper-based medicines and some plant fertilisers are toxic to shrimp, snails and most other invertebrates. Never treat a tank holding them with copper, check the label of any fertiliser or medicine, and keep nets and buckets used for copper-treated tanks separate. Sources: none of our sources had a page on this species; this page uses general hobby knowledge. Checked October 2026.

Diet

Grazes on biofilm, soft algae and detritus. Supplement with shrimp pellets or granules, crushed flake, blanched vegetables and dried leaves such as Indian almond. Feed small amounts and remove anything left after a few hours.

Breeding

Females are larger and rounder and carry eggs under the tail. Hobby reports suggest they breed in fresh water in aquariums, with young hatching as small shrimp, but reports vary between stocks sold under this name, and some may need brackish water for larvae. If berried females release larvae that drift in the water rather than crawling shrimplets, the stock has a larval stage and the young will not survive in fresh water.

Compatibility and tank mates

Peaceful. Suits small, peaceful fish such as rasboras, small tetras, otocinclus and pygmy corydoras, though any fish may take shrimplets. Safe with nerites and other plant-safe snails and with other dwarf shrimp. Avoid large or predatory fish, crayfish, Macrobrachium prawns and large cichlids.

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

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