Red nose shrimp (Caridina gracilirostris) care guide

Group

Shrimp

Other names

Rhino shrimp, Red rhinoceros shrimp, Mosquito shrimp, Caridina pseudogracilirostris

Family

Atyidae

Origin

Indo-Pacific from Madagascar through Indonesia to Japan and Fiji; mangroves, marshes and coastal streams

Water

freshwater

Maximum size

4 cm

Temperature

20–28°C

pH

6.5–7.5

Hardness

6–12 dGH, 3–8 dKH

Minimum tank

40 litres

Care level

intermediate

Temperament

peaceful

Care

The red nose or rhino shrimp is a slender, almost transparent shrimp with a long, upturned red rostrum (the "nose"). The rostrum has small, tightly packed teeth underneath and larger, widely spaced teeth on top, and it can regrow if broken. Males show red lines along the sides of the body; females are paler and more see-through. Both sexes have a noticeable hump in the abdomen. Adults reach about 3.5–4 cm. Caridina pseudogracilirostris is treated as a synonym. Habitat and set-up: in the wild it lives in brackish mangroves, marshes and the lower reaches of rivers across a huge Indo-Pacific range. In the aquarium it lives well in fresh water if given plenty of plants and enough food. A 40 litre or larger tank with open swimming space, plants and gentle flow suits a group of six or more. They are active swimmers and fun to watch. Water: about 20–28 °C and pH 6.5–7.5. Imported animals are usually wild-caught and can be delicate for the first weeks, so acclimatise slowly and keep conditions stable. Behaviour and role: peaceful, and it gets along with other shrimp of a similar size. It grazes algae and biofilm and picks up leftover food, so it is a useful light clean-up shrimp in a community tank. Copper: copper-based medicines and some plant fertilisers are toxic to shrimp, snails and most invertebrates. Never dose copper in a tank holding this animal, and check fertiliser and medicine labels before use. Sources: Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caridinagracilirostris). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Omnivore and algae grazer. Picks biofilm and soft algae from plants and decor, and takes fine sinking foods, shrimp pellets, crushed flake, blanched vegetables and small frozen foods. Make sure some food reaches the bottom in a busy community tank, as hungry wild-caught shrimp lose condition quickly.

Breeding

Males are slimmer with red lateral lines; females are larger and more transparent and carry hundreds of small green eggs under the abdomen. Breeding is difficult: mating is reported to happen in brackish water and the larvae need brackish water to develop. To try, move a berried female to a separate tank and raise the hatched larvae in brackish water while feeding very fine foods such as green water. Adults will not produce surviving young in a freshwater tank.

Compatibility and tank mates

Peaceful with small community fish (tetras, rasboras, gobies, small livebearers) and other shrimp of similar size. Avoid large or predatory fish. Does not harm plants or snails.

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