Crystal Red Shrimp FAQ

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Crystal Red Shrimp FAQ

1. What is the water parameter required by CRS?
CRS can adapt to and survive in wide range of pH. The optimal pH range is around 6.3 to 6.8 to show the color well. GH is best keep at around 3 to 6 dH. Nitrite(NO3) best kept within 25ppm.

2. What type of filtration should I use in a shrimp tank?
Usually low flow rate canister filtration is a better choice. Good filter medias (like Biohome, Substrate pro, ceramic rings) are also needed for bacteria colonization. These bacteria will help to break down ammonia and nitrate into less harmful substances. Undergravel filtration is recommended if u have no intention to have root plants in the tanks.

3. What should I feed my CRS?
Simplest form is sinking fish food. Fish food with high plant content is recommended. Plant content is good for CRS to show color and “meat” content is good for growth, Sera Premium Spirulina Tabs meets this requirements. Hikari Algae wafer and Crab Cuisine are the other 2 popular shrimp food. Boiled spinach is a good food for CRS too.

4. What do you recommend for a simple tank setup?
A canister filter with good filter medias, driftwood and moss, any soil type, a fan or chiller and a good light set.

5. What is the best temperature range for CRS? Is chiller a must?
CRS is best keep at 25C, a good compromise of color and electricity for the case in Singapore and other tropical countries. To achieve this temperature, a chiller or aircon is needed. CRS shows best color at 25C or lower (down to 22C, best color). At higher temperature, their color will start to run. A fan can achieve a degree or 2 lower than ambient which may not reach ideal temperature of CRS.

6. Anything to take care when I want to breed CRS?
A stable tank with no ammonia and no nitrite is the best. Other than that just hope your males are able to fertilise the eggs properly, usually will be the case if you have enough males in your tanks. Hiding places are also a must for them to create a stress free environment for gestating females. Filter inlet has to be protected with sponge so that shrimplets will not be sucked into the filter.

7. How to tell male CRS from female?

Male Crystal Red Shrimp
• shorter abdomen
• longer atennules (the shorter pair of antennae)
• straighter carapace near rostrum

Female Crystal Red Shrimp
• thicker abdomen
• shorter atennules (the shorter pair of antennae)
• rounder carapace near rostrum

8. Are driftwood and plant a must in breeding CRS?
They provide hiding place for shrimps that molts and small shrimplets. Plants do take in nitrogenous wastes.

9. What other shrimps can be kept with CRS?
All the algae eater class shrimps can be kept with CRS as they are gentle among the same species and others. However, only neocardina species (cherry) is recommended to keep with CRS as they are not known to cross breed with CRS. Having said this, not all from cardina genus can cross with CRS. For example, Yamato will not cross with CRS and bee shrimp may cross. In a shrimp community tank, the more aggressive species should be keep in lesser number.

10. What's the minimal recommended tank size for CRS?
Tanks 2ft or bigger will be better. It will be difficult to manage water parameters due to smaller volumes. There is some degree of success to use a 20l+ tank for some hobbyists.

11. My CRS is pregnant now, what should I do?
No special care is needed for pregnant CRS. There is no need to put pregnant CRS into separate tank, basically leave the female in the tank where it got pregnant. She needs some hidding place in the tank, driftwood and any boardleaves plant are good for this purpose.

12. What should I feed with my baby CRS?
No worry, they will find the food in the tank themselves. Microorganism or algae found inside the tank are the best food for them.

13. What gravel is recommended?
Soil based gravel like ADA Aquasoil Amonzia is highly recommended. It helps to keep water in acidic range and it is provides CRS “out of the box” water conditions. It provides a good contrast between the black soil and the CRS too.

14. How long do the eggs take to hatch?
At 25C, it takes about 22 days.

This FAQ is done by nbx and I, these FAQ addresses the basic questions for beauitiful CRS keep and rearing. In near term, we will come out with set of FAQ for intermediate and advance CRS keep.