Crystal Black Shrimp

The Crystal Black Shrimp shares its lineage and care requirements with the famous Crystal Red Shrimp, but displays bold alternating bands of deep, lustrous black and pure white rather than red. The contrast between the two colours is visually dramatic, and top-grade specimens with high white coverage — particularly the coveted SSS-grade animals with nearly full white bodies — are among the most prized invertebrates in the hobby.

Developed alongside the Crystal Red through selective breeding programs in Japan, the Crystal Black emerged as a parallel line celebrated for its unique monochrome aesthetic. The black pigmentation varies in depth and glossiness depending on lineage, with the finest specimens showing an almost velvet-like depth to their black bands.

Like all Caridina cantonensis variants, Crystal Black Shrimp are sensitive to water chemistry and require reverse osmosis water blended with Caridina-specific mineral salts to maintain the precise soft, acidic, low-KH conditions they need. They are active grazers that pick continuously at biofilm, decaying leaves, and fine organic matter. A mature, well-planted nano aquarium with active buffering substrate, stable parameters, and a sponge filter provides the ideal environment for this exquisite shrimp. Cross-breeding Crystal Black with Crystal Red produces a range of intermediate and mosaic-patterned offspring that are prized in their own right.

Tank Setup

A dedicated shrimp aquarium of at least 20 litres with an active buffering substrate such as Amazonia or Controsoil is essential to maintain the required low pH and zero carbonate hardness. Plant densely with mosses — Java moss, Christmas moss, and Taiwan moss are ideal — along with fine-leaved stem plants that provide additional grazing surfaces and hiding spots. Use a sponge filter to prevent juveniles from being lost to the filter intake.

Water Parameters

Target pH 5.8–6.8, GH 3–6, KH 0–2, and temperature 18–24 °C. Use remineralised reverse osmosis water exclusively. Stability is critical — even small swings in pH or TDS can cause moulting problems and fatalities. Conduct small, frequent water changes of 10–15% weekly using properly prepared water.

Feeding

Primarily detritivores, Crystal Black Shrimp will graze constantly on biofilm and organic matter. Offer a rotation of algae wafers, snowflake food, blanched vegetables, and occasional high-protein treats such as freeze-dried Daphnia. Feed small portions every one to two days and remove uneaten food promptly.

Tank Mates

Keep as a species-only setup or alongside other Caridina variants of similar grade. Avoid all fish large enough to predate on shrimp. Crystal Black Shrimp may be cross-bred intentionally with Crystal Red Shrimp to produce mosaic or 'panda' patterned offspring.

Health and Breeding

Females carry small clutches of eggs for three to four weeks. Newborn shrimp are tiny but require no special intervention in a mature, biofilm-rich tank. Copper in any form, including fertiliser additives, is acutely toxic and must never be used in the shrimp tank.