Crystal Red Shrimp

Caridina cantonensis

Also sold as CRS · Caridina cf. cantonensis · Red bee shrimp · Golden bee shrimp

Synonyms Taiwan bee · Bee shrimp · Caridina logemanni · Crystal red

Crystal Red Shrimp (Caridina cantonensis) is a peaceful freshwater shrimp that reaches about 3 cm (1.2 in) and swims along the bottom. It wants 68–75°F (20–24°C) and pH 5.5–6.8, is kept in groups of 10 or more, and needs a tank of at least 20 L (5 gal).

At a glance

Type	Shrimp
Adult size	3 cm (1.2 in)
Minimum tank	20 L (5 gal)
Group size	10 or more
Temperature	68–75°F (20–24°C)
pH	5.5–6.8
Temperament	Peaceful
GH	3–6
Lifespan	1.5–2 years
Eats shrimp	No

Color forms

Same species, different color. Care is the same for all of them.

Crystal BlackCrystal Black Shrimp · CBS · Black Bee Shrimp · 黑水晶虾

Before it goes in

Crystal Red Shrimp needs at least 20 L (5 gal). The smallest size in this library that clears that is the 36P.
Keep 10 or more. Below that it hides, colours down and is far more likely to be picked on.
It leaves shrimp and small fish alone.
It is the wrong size to share a tank with Betta, Goldfish and Angelfish: it ends up as food.
It holds at 68–75°F (20–24°C). That shares a window with Betta and Cherry Shrimp, but not with German Blue Ram and Discus.
Sources say not to put it in a newly set-up tank — give the tank a few months first.
A group of 10 takes up roughly 16% of what a 36P will comfortably hold, so plan the rest of the stock around it.

What tank size does it need?

At least 20 L (5 gal). The smallest size here that clears it is the 36P.

How many should I keep?

10 or more. Fewer than that and it spends its time hiding instead of out in the open.

Will it eat shrimp?

No — adult shrimp and their young are both safe with it.

What water does it want?

68–75°F (20–24°C), pH 5.5–6.8, GH 3–6.

How long does it live?

1.5–2 years in a tank that suits it. That is how long you are signing up for.

Can it go in a new tank?

No. Sources say not to add it to a newly set-up tank — it wants a tank that has been running for months.

Good tank mates

Tank mates from this library that share its temperature window, are peaceful and eat neither it nor its young: Cherry Shrimp, Bristlenose Pleco, Celestial Pearl Danio, Otocinclus and Ramshorn Snail.
Plants that hold up with it: Hygrophila corymbosa 'Siamensis', Water Sprite, Anubias nana 'Petite' and Cryptocoryne wendtii.

Often compared with

	Crystal Red Shrimp	Cardinal Sulawesi Shrimp	Tiger Shrimp
Adult size	3 cm	2.5 cm	2.5 cm
Min tank	20 L	40 L	30 L
Group	10+	1+	1+
Temperature	68–75°F (20–24°C)	78–88°F (25.5–31°C)	68–75°F (20–24°C)
Eats shrimp	No	No	No

More livestock

Plan a tank with Crystal Red Shrimp →

Sources (5) · checked Sep 2026