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Caridina mariae
A small freshwater shrimp, semi-transparent with dark brown to black striping that is narrower and more sharply defined than in bee shrimp. It wants clean soft water at a cooler temperature and is sensitive to changes.
Caridina mariae is a freshwater shrimp from Yingde and Conghua in Guangdong province of southern China and from Hong Kong. Dark brown to black bars cross the carapace and abdomen of its semi-transparent body, which is what gives it its name, and some individuals also show orange eyes or orange in the tail fan. Some accounts give about 22mm, so reported sizes vary. Breeding is completed in fresh water: there is a single lecithotrophic larval stage that does not feed, and the young walk like miniature adults from hatching. Gestation is about thirty days. Young shrimp are easily drawn into filters, so intakes need guarding. WoRMS accepts the description by Klotz and von Rintelen, 2014.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
The Tiger Shrimp lives 1-2 years.
It reaches 25-38mm, with females larger and rounder-bellied, and prefers clean soft water at pH 6.0-7.5, ideally around 6.5, and 18-24C, with a lifespan of one to two years.
The Tiger Shrimp grows to 25-38mm.
The ideal temperature for the Tiger Shrimp is 18〜24℃.
Origin
Southern China (Yingde and Conghua, Guangdong) and Hong Kong
Lifespan
1-2 years
Edited & verified by: BreederDirect editorial team
The taxonomic, regulatory, and husbandry data on this page are compiled and verified against the authoritative primary sources below.
Accepted name: Caridina mariae Klotz & von Rintelen, 2014
Authority databases: GBIF
Nomenclature follows global taxonomic authority databases.
Sources: CITES Appendices (species not listed) / IUCN Red List
Regulations may change. Always verify the latest information with the relevant authorities.
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Size
25-38mm
Temperature
18〜24℃
Biofilm, algae and prepared shrimp foods
It can be kept in a small tank, but less water means larger swings in temperature and chemistry, so allow a stable volume. Use soil substrate, driftwood and moss to provide biofilm and cover, and sponge over filter intakes so the young are not drawn in.
Clean soft water at pH 6.0-7.5, ideally around 6.5, and 18-24C is the usual guide. It suffers in warm water and from sudden changes, so change water in small amounts. For hardness, simply keep the water soft.
Peaceful and not aggressive. It is small enough to be eaten, so keep it away from shrimp-eating fish. Closely related congeners may hybridise with it, so keep a single species if you want to maintain a line.
An omnivore grazing biofilm on stones, decaying plant material and very small insect larvae. Feed small amounts of a sinking shrimp food and remove anything uneaten.
It breeds entirely in fresh water. Gestation lasts about thirty days, and there is a single lecithotrophic larval stage that does not feed. The young already resemble the adults at hatching and walk on the bottom. Newly hatched shrimp are under 3mm.
It is soft and defenceless just after moulting, so provide plenty of cover, and never use copper-based fish medications, which are toxic to shrimp. Before the 2014 description it was confused with Caridina cantonensis, and the trade name covers several colour forms.
Intermediate. This is an intermediate-level species. Some prior experience and knowledge of environmental management are recommended.
The ideal temperature for Tiger Shrimp is 18〜24℃. Avoid sudden temperature changes and maintain a stable environment.
The average lifespan of Tiger Shrimp is 1-2 years. With proper care and nutrition, they can live a long and healthy life.
Tiger Shrimp typically reaches 25-38mm as an adult. Size may vary depending on care conditions and individual genetics.
Tiger Shrimp feeds on: Biofilm, algae and prepared shrimp foods. Aim for a balanced diet with appropriate feeding frequency.
The price of Tiger Shrimp varies significantly depending on morph, size, and lineage. Check our market price page for the latest pricing information.
Last updated: September 16, 2026