Species

Shrimps

The essence of our hobby!

Freshwater invertebrates, by many nicknamed “dwarf” shrimp due to their small size that can, depending on the species, reach a maximum of 3 cm.

They belong to a group of crustaceans that is very popular in aquarium and has very varied specimens, either in color or pattern. The most popular species are Neocaridinas, Caridinas and Sulawesi (Caridina).

These animals spend their time feeding on everything they collect since they are detritivores, from algae to other organisms that grow on plants, mosses, stones, substrate and even other dead shrimp.

Neocaridina & Caridina Babaulti

Caridina Cantonensis

Caridina Sulawesi

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Macrobrachium

They are prawns with relatively large and long tongs, where some species reach a considerable size allowing to eat some fish and other crustaceans.

Their territorial behavior can cause fights between specimens of the same species.

Smaller species, such as Macrobrachium cf. banjarense or Macrobrachium lanchesteri, are generally more sociable and require less space.

Filter Shrimp

The ends of the first pair of legs have long hairs, which can spread out in a fan shape.

With these “filtering” hairs, they filter the particles of floating nutrients (plant and animal plankton) from the water stream.

Filter shrimps like to stay on rough or hard surfaces, so they can hold on to the water stream.

Cambarellus

Cambarellus species are suitable for keeping in larger aquariums, in the adult state they can be between 3 to 6 cm.

It is not advisable to keep this species with others of smaller size, since the prawns can be a pleasant prey for them.

These dwarf crayfish can be kept, without any problems, in aquariums with plants since they are not part of their diet.
Life expectancy is 1.5 to 2 years.

Cherax

These colorful crustaceans reach a much larger size than Cambarellus species and live longer – up to 8 years.

They are mostly peaceful and due to their large tongs they move a little awkwardly.
Cherax species like to hide.
Some species are active in the dark, others also seek food during the day.