Camouflage Tiger
Paracaridina zijinica (Paracaridina meridionalis)
The Camouflage Tiger shrimp is a pretty species of wild shrimp with extremely variable markings.
- pretty wild form
- very variable pattern
- rarely available
Out of stock
Receive in-stock notifications for this.
Important data
Product description & details
The Camouflage Tiger shrimp, also known as the Larry shrimp or Hong Kong shrimp, belongs to the species Paracaridina zijinica (syn. Paracaridina meridionalis). This rarely available wild form originally comes from southern China and is available to us from our own breeding. It is characterized by its very variable colors and patterns. The individual animals are colored very differently and in addition to slightly tabby, almost transparent animals, there are also those that show intense and dark colors. Colors can range from various shades of brown to black, green and dark blue. The pattern varies between spots, dots and stripes.
Care in the aquarium
The Camouflage Tiger shrimp is is not a particularly demanding species as long as the water parameters in the aquarium are right. 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 Camouflage Tiger shrimp requires clean, oxygen-rich, soft to medium-hard and lime-free water, which is why it is best kept on salted osmosis water. The Bee Shrimp Mineral GH+ is suitable as a mineral salt. We recommend active soil as a substrate, which sets and maintains the correct water parameters. 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 Camouflage 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 Camouflage 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 Camouflage Tiger shrimp adults are slightly larger than males. This Paracaridina species 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 10-30 fully developed shrimplets, which initially feed on microorganisms present in the aquarium and can be fed with dust food.