Aquarium Shrimp types Overview

Dwarf Shrimp
All of commercially available representatives of this group are suitable for planted tank. In the nature, they graze on algae and decomposing materials. Please see our previous article about successful aquarium shrimp keeping.

All types of the genus Caridina and Neocaridina are usually included in a dwarf shrimp group. Although most popular species are quite small (1.5-3 cm long), other species may grow over 7 cm long.

In the nature, there are 2 different methods of reproduction:

• Dwarf shrimp with the simple reproduction will produce a large quantity of small eggs, the eggs will hatch becoming larva, release into the water then are carried into the sea by the river currents. The larva will through several larva stages in seawater until finally transformed into small shrimps, then they return to freshwater where they spend the rest of their lives. For example: Caridina multidentata (Amano shrimp).

• Dwarf shrimp with the advanced reproduction will produce far fewer eggs with relatively larger size. The larva development takes place within the eggs. The eggs will hatch becoming mini-shrimps with the perfect shape as adult shrimps. This type of shrimp can easily reproduce in an aquarium. For example : Neocaridina heteropoda (Red cherry shrimp).

Some popular dwarf aquarium shrimp species: 

Large-clawed Shrimp
They are shrimp with large claws, some species can become too large for a normal aquarium, others becoming threat for aquarium fishes since they are agile and successful hunters. Some species are from the genus Macrobrachium.

Fan Shrimp
Fan shrimp are unique aquarium shrimp. Their front pair of legs have developed into fans which pull food particles from the water into their jaws. In an aquarium, they usually cling tightly to hard surface like stones or woods, facing the right currents to get food. But they can also look for food in the aquarium floor by using their other legs. Some species are from the genus Atya, Atyopsis and Atyoida.