Red Nose Shrimp Care Guide

Red Nose Shrimp (Caridina gracilirostris) is an intermediate-level freshwater invertebrate that needs at least 10 gallons and 72-82°F. A long, slim shrimp with a pointed red-orange snout that grazes algae and biofilm. It is often wild-collected and more delicate than cherry shrimp, and its larvae normally need brackish water, so do not expect it to breed in a freshwater tank.

Care facts at a glance

Quick tips

• Acclimate slowly over an hour or more.
• Avoid copper-based medications.
• Keep it with small, peaceful tankmates that will not hunt it.

San Diego water

Naturally suited to San Diego's hard, alkaline tap water once it is dechlorinated (the city uses chloramine, so use a conditioner that handles it). Learn the numbers in our San Diego tap water guide.

Before you buy

Make sure your tank is cycled (how to cycle a tank), check your numbers with the water testing guide, and use the compatibility guide to check tankmates. These are general ranges; individual fish and local water vary.