Sulawesi harlequin shrimp (Caridina woltereckae) care guide

Group
Shrimp
Other names
Harlequin shrimp (Sulawesi), Towuti harlequin shrimp
Family
Atyidae
Origin
Endemic to Lake Towuti, Sulawesi, Indonesia (rocky shores)
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
2.5 cm
Temperature
27–30°C
pH
7.5–8.5
Hardness
3–6 dGH, 2–5 dKH
Care level
expert
Temperament
peaceful
Lifespan
1–2 years

Care

Caridina woltereckae is a small dwarf shrimp from Lake Towuti, one of the ancient Malili lakes of Sulawesi, Indonesia. It has strongly contrasting colours and is sold as the Sulawesi harlequin shrimp; do not confuse it with the marine harlequin shrimp (Hymenocera picta). It resembles the smaller and less boldly marked Caridina spongicola, which lives in the same lake. It is listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN. The threats include introduced flowerhorn cichlids, pollution, nickel mining and uncontrolled collection for the aquarium trade, so buy only captive-bred stock and do not buy wild-collected animals. It lives on rocky ground in the lake, so give it a rock-built tank, not a heavily planted one. Like other Sulawesi shrimp it needs warm, very stable, soft but alkaline water (high pH with low hardness); many keepers use remineralised RO water made for Sulawesi shrimp. Water figures given here are general hobby guidance rather than taken from our sources. Change water in small amounts with matched parameters, keep the tank mature and stable, and keep a group in a species-only tank. Copper: copper-based medicines and some plant fertilisers are toxic to shrimp, snails and most other invertebrates. Never dose them in a tank holding this animal, and check the label of any treatment or fertiliser before use. Sources: Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caridinawoltereckae). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Grazes biofilm and aufwuchs on rock. In captivity it is fed small amounts of fine shrimp foods, biofilm powders and leaves. Overfeeding fouls the water quickly, which Sulawesi shrimp tolerate poorly.

Breeding

Females carry a small number of eggs under the tail; the young are thought to hatch as miniature shrimp without a free larval stage, as in other Sulawesi lake Caridina, but our sources do not describe its breeding. Breeding in captivity needs long-term stable water and a mature tank and is considered hard. Because the wild population is critically endangered, captive breeding is important.

Compatibility and tank mates

Best in a species tank. Peaceful, but far too small and delicate for most fish, which eat it or out-compete it for food. Can be kept with Sulawesi snails (Tylomelania) that need similar warm, alkaline water. Do not mix with other Sulawesi Caridina if you plan to breed.

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

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