Ninja shrimp (Caridina serratirostris) care guide

Group
Shrimp
Other names
Chameleon shrimp, Serrated-rostrum shrimp
Family
Atyidae
Origin
Indo-West Pacific, from Madagascar to Fiji, including northern Queensland
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
3.5 cm
Temperature
22–28°C
pH
6.5–7.5
Minimum tank
40 litres
Care level
intermediate
Temperament
peaceful

Care

The ninja shrimp is a small freshwater shrimp found across the Indo-West Pacific, from Madagascar to Fiji. It gets its trade name from its ability to change colour quickly to blend in with its surroundings: the same animal may look red, brown, green, black, blue or speckled, sometimes with a pale stripe down the back. Adults reach 2.5–3.5 cm. It is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. Our sources give no water figures for it; those here are general guidance for tropical Caridina, not from a source. It does well at about 22–28 °C in neutral, moderately soft water. Keep a group in a mature, planted tank of 40 litres or more with moss, wood and leaf litter, a gentle current and a sponge or guarded filter. Most ninja shrimp in the trade are wild-caught, so acclimatise carefully. Ninja shrimp are peaceful grazers and good at clearing soft algae and biofilm. They are fascinating to watch as their colour shifts with the background and their mood. Copper-based medicines and some plant fertilisers are toxic to shrimp, snails and most invertebrates. Sources: Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caridinaserratirostris). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Grazes biofilm, soft algae and detritus from plants, wood and stones, so a well-established, planted tank feeds it well. Supplement with shrimp pellets, algae wafers, blanched vegetables and leaf litter. Feed lightly and remove leftovers.

Breeding

Our sources do not describe its breeding. General hobby experience is that, like Amano shrimp, the female carries many tiny eggs that hatch into free-swimming larvae which need brackish or sea water to develop before they can return to fresh water. That makes captive breeding difficult and rarely done in home tanks, and most ninja shrimp sold are wild-caught. Females are larger and fuller-bodied than males.

Compatibility and tank mates

Peaceful with small community fish that are too small to eat it, other shrimp and snails. Like all dwarf shrimp it will be eaten by larger fish, crayfish and crabs. It does not cross with Neocaridina.

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

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