Tiger shrimp (Caridina mariae) care guide

Group
Shrimp
Other names
Striped tiger shrimp, Caridina cf. cantonensis "Tiger"
Family
Atyidae
Origin
Southern China: Guangdong Province (around Yingde and Conghua) and Hong Kong
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
3.8 cm
Temperature
18–24°C
pH
6–7.5
Hardness
4–8 dGH, 1–4 dKH
Minimum tank
20 litres
Care level
intermediate
Temperament
peaceful
Lifespan
1–2 years

Care

The tiger shrimp is a small dwarf shrimp from southern China, described as a species in 2014. It was long sold as a form of Caridina cantonensis, and genetic work places it as a close relative of that species. Adults reach about 2.5–3.8 cm, females being the larger. The body is semi-transparent with dark brown to black blotches on the carapace and dark vertical "tiger" stripes running along the rear of the carapace and the first six abdominal segments. Some lines have orange eyes or orange highlights on the tail; the tail fan itself has no dark markings. Selectively bred colour lines such as blue tiger, orange-eyed blue tiger and black tiger are derived from this group. Set-up: a mature, planted tank of 20 litres or more suits a colony. Moss, leaf litter, wood and fine-leaved plants give grazing surfaces and cover for moulting shrimp. Use a sponge filter or cover the filter intake, because the tiny young are easily drawn in. Keep a group of ten or more so the shrimp behave naturally and breed. Water: soft, clean water is preferred, with a pH of about 6–7.5 (around 6.5 is ideal) and 18–24 °C. Stable conditions matter more than exact numbers; avoid large water changes with water of a different hardness or temperature. Many keepers use RO water remineralised for shrimp. Behaviour and role: tiger shrimp are peaceful omnivores that spend the day grazing biofilm, algae and detritus from plants and decor, so they help keep a planted tank clean. They do not harm plants, fish or snails. Mixing colour forms: tiger shrimp can interbreed with other Caridina such as crystal and bee shrimp, producing wild-type offspring, so keep them apart if you want to preserve a line. 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/Caridinamariae). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Omnivore. Grazes biofilm, soft algae and decaying plant matter all day, which is its main food in a mature tank. Supplement with a good shrimp pellet or granule, blanched spinach or courgette, and dried leaves such as Indian almond or oak. Feed a small amount every day or two and remove what is left after a few hours; overfeeding fouls soft-water tanks quickly.

Breeding

Females are larger with a deeper, curved underside; males are slimmer. Tiger shrimp breed in fresh water with direct development: there is a single, non-feeding larval stage that already looks like the adult, with working legs and swimming legs, and it does not need brackish water. Eggs are carried for about 30 days and the hatchlings are no more than 3 mm long. Breeding is straightforward in a stable, mature tank with plenty of moss for the young; protect them from filter intakes.

Compatibility and tank mates

Best in a species tank or with very small peaceful fish such as microrasboras, otocinclus or pygmy Corydoras, and with snails. Larger fish will eat young and often adults. Can hybridise with other Caridina (crystal, bee, other tiger lines). Completely plant-safe.

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

About Aquatic-Auctions

  • Aquatic-Auctions (aquatic-auctions.com) is a UK online marketplace for aquarium and pond livestock and equipment: tropical and marine fish, corals, shrimp, snails and other invertebrates, aquatic plants, tanks, filtration, lighting and food.
  • Items are sold by auction, buy it now or classified advert, by hobbyist and business sellers in the UK.
  • Buyers pay sellers directly; Aquatic-Auctions does not hold the money. Hobbyist sellers must offer PayPal and may also take cash on collection. Business sellers take PayPal (required) or cash on collection, and bank transfer only once they have a seller rating of 50 out of 100, a company and pet-selling licence checked by Aquatic-Auctions, a bank account in the company's name, and bank details approved by Aquatic-Auctions.
  • Buyers are told to pay by PayPal Goods & Services, never PayPal Friends and Family, gift cards or crypto.
  • Live fish and other vertebrates must be sent by specialist live-animal couriers (for example APC Overnight or DX Express), never by Royal Mail. Some invertebrates and plants may go by Royal Mail Special Delivery or 1st Class within its rules.
  • Banned and invasive species (for example those on the GB invasive species lists) cannot be listed, and sellers must meet the site’s animal welfare standards.
  • Members must be 16 or over to buy (16 and 17-year-olds with a parent or guardian’s agreement); sellers must be 18 or over.
  • Business sellers show their address, company details and pet-selling licence to buyers. Seller ratings run from 0 to 100: +1 for each positive feedback, −1 for each negative.
  • The site includes a free community species wiki with care guides (water parameters, tank size, diet, temperament, breeding).
  • Aquatic-Auctions is run by Etavonni Tech Limited trading as Aquatic-Auctions (company number 10204188), Aldershot, Hampshire, UK. Contact: info@aquatic-auctions.com.