Yellow-nose shrimp (Caridina spinata) care guide

Group
Shrimp
Other names
Sulawesi yellow-nose shrimp, Yellow goldflake shrimp, Sulawesi shrimp, Lake Towuti shrimp
Family
Atyidae
Origin
Endemic to Lake Towuti, Sulawesi, Indonesia
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
3 cm
Temperature
27–29°C
pH
7.5–8.5
Hardness
GH about 4–6 dGH, KH 2–4 dKH (general guidance)
Minimum tank
40 litres
Care level
expert
Temperament
peaceful

Care

The yellow-nose shrimp is a small Caridina from Lake Towuti on Sulawesi, Indonesia, one of the ancient Malili lakes. It is a translucent shrimp marked with fine golden flecks and, in good condition, a bright yellow rostrum (nose), hence its trade name. In the wild it lives on rocky bottoms, with adults mostly at 3–5 m depth. The species is listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN. Its single-lake home is threatened by nickel-mining pollution and by introduced predatory fish (flowerhorn-type cichlids have already harmed Caridina in nearby Lake Matano), and wild collection for the aquarium trade is believed to be part of its decline. Buy captive-bred shrimp wherever possible, and breed them if you keep them. Our sources give no water figures for this species; the numbers here are general hobby guidance for Sulawesi shrimp, not from a source. Sulawesi shrimp are kept warm (about 27–29 °C), in soft-to-moderate but alkaline water (pH around 7.5–8.5), usually made from RO water with a Sulawesi-type remineraliser. They are far less forgiving than cherry shrimp: use a fully mature tank of 40 litres or more with plenty of rock, few or no fish, a sponge filter and very stable conditions, and acclimatise slowly. Keep a group, ideally in a species tank. They are peaceful grazers that spend their time on rock surfaces picking at biofilm. Copper-based medicines and some plant fertilisers are toxic to shrimp, snails and most invertebrates. Sources: Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caridinaspinata). Checked October 2026.

Diet

A biofilm grazer: in the lake it lives on rock surfaces, feeding on the film of algae, bacteria and fine organic matter that coats them. In the aquarium, provide plenty of rock and let it mature well before adding shrimp. Supplement sparingly with fine shrimp foods, powdered biofilm foods and algae-based pellets, removing leftovers promptly because uneaten food quickly spoils the water these shrimp need to stay clean.

Breeding

Breeds in the aquarium when conditions are right and stable; females carry a small number of eggs that hatch into miniature shrimp without a free larval stage, so the young can be raised in fresh water (general hobby knowledge for Sulawesi Caridina; our sources do not describe its breeding). Broods are small and growth is slow, so build a colony patiently and avoid disturbing the tank.

Compatibility and tank mates

Best kept in a species tank, or with other Sulawesi animals such as Tylomelania snails, which share the same warm, alkaline water. Small fish will eat the young and stress the adults. Do not keep with ordinary tropical community fish, crayfish or crabs.

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

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