Tiger shrimp
Caridina mariae
The tiger shrimp is a pretty species of wild shrimp with dark tiger stripes.
- pretty wild form
- dark tiger stripes
- no aqua soil necessary
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Important data
Product description & details
The tiger shrimp, Caridina mariae, is native to streams in southern China. The wild form is transparent to yellow-brown in color and is characterized by black, brown and sometimes reddish stripes.
Care in the aquarium
The tiger shrimp is not a particularly demanding speciesas long as it has the right water parameters. Keeping this beautiful shrimp is possible in aquariums with a capacity of 10 liters or more, but since the water values fluctuate significantly less with more volume, we recommend an aquarium that holds 20 liters or more. The tiger shrimp requires clean, oxygen-rich, soft and lime-free water, which is why it is best kept on salted osmosis water, but is also potentially suitable for soft tap water (CH below 5). The Bee Shrimp Mineral GH+ is suitable as a mineral salt. Unlike bee shrimp, no aqua soil is necessary to keep tiger shrimp. We ourselves keep our tigers on neutral, dark ground, where the animals show their best potential. It is also important that the temperature of the water does not exceed 26°C for long periods of time, even in summer. In order for this sociable dwarf shrimp to feel safe, it should be kept in a group of at least 10 animals and in a well-planted aquarium. The plants, but also roots, stone structures or shrimp tubes offer it protection and places of retreat. The tiger shrimp is ideally kept in a pure shrimp aquarium, preferably together with snails. However, socialization with small, peaceful fish that do not prey on shrimp is also possible.
Feeding
As a classic leftover recycler, the tiger shrimp feeds on biofilm and algae growth as well as detritus (dead plant material, carrion, leftover food). In the aquarium it can be fed with special types of shrimp food, leaves, algae powder and occasionally frozen food. Ideally, there are always brown autumn leaves in the aquarium, which represent optimal permanent food for the animals.
Sexual characteristics and breeding
Sex determination is usually not possible in young animals, but only in sexually mature animals. Juveniles and males have a narrower underside of the abdomen, while sexually mature females have a wider underside that covers the swimming legs like a “skirt”. This widening of the abdomen serves to protect the eggs, which the female carries and cares between her swimming legs until they hatch. As with most dwarf shrimp, female tiger shrimp adults are slightly larger than males. Caridina mariae reproduces in fresh water and can be bred in an aquarium without any problems as long as the water parameters are right. After a gestation period of around 3 to 4 weeks, the female releases around 10-20 fully developed shrimplets, which initially feed on microorganisms present in the aquarium and can be fed with dust food.