Caridina is a separate genus from Neocaridina. Here you will find the soft-water forms of Caridina cantonensis — Crystal Red, Crystal Black and Fancy Tiger — and the Amano shrimp (Caridina multidentata, often sold as Caridina japonica), the well-known algae eater.
Crystal and Tiger forms need soft, slightly acidic water (pH 5.8–6.8, GH 4–6, KH 0–2): usually reverse-osmosis water remineralised with a GH+ salt, over an active soil substrate. Amano shrimp are far less demanding and do well in ordinary aquarium water. Check your water with our free hardness tool; for hardy beginner shrimp see Neocaridina.
