Short Nose Algae Shrimp (Caridina longirostris)

Introduction

This unusual shrimp is an extraordinary algae eater and excellent inhabitant for the freshwater aquarium!

The Short Nose Algae Shrimp (Caridina longirostris) is an unusual freshwater species that is native to Taiwan, Japan, Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia. It is among the best algae-eating species of freshwater shrimp, so it is a very valuable maintenance animal. It will eat most types of algae, and it will even reportedly eat the dreaded BBA (Black Beard/Brush Algae)! TheShort Nose AlgaeShrimp is mostly clear and similar in appearance to the Pinokio Shrimp (Caridina gracilirostris), but it has a shorter rostrum (nose). Like the Pinokio Shrimp, it has several highlights of red and gold coloration.

The Short Nose AlgaeShrimp, like most shrimp, lives in large colonies and spends most of its time foraging for food. As stated above, it isa voracious eater of algae in the aquarium and is not only a very active, outgoing species, but it is also very useful as a solution to fighting algae issues. It aggressively feeds on most varieties of algae and, in appropriate numbers, will often eradicate even the most persistent algae growth on plants and other aquarium decorations. It is also very effective in eating decaying plant matter, such as shed leaves and needles of aquarium plants. However, it does not bother or damage ornamental plants.

Care for the Short Nose AlgaeShrimp is fairly simple and straightforward. It does not require the more acidic pH of its “bee-type” Caridina cantonensis cousins. It inhabits waterways that fluctuate widely in temperature and pH according to rainfall, so it will thrive in a variety of water parameters as long as it has very clean water.

The Short Nose AlgaeShrimp has reportedly been bred and reared successfully in the aquarium, but not on a wide commercial scale. This is likely due to its plentiful and widespread distrubution in the wild as well as the lack of known color morphs achievable through selective breeding. The bulk of its diet is biofilm, algae, and decaying plant matter so it will work diligently to clean up detritus in any aquarium. It feeds constantlyand displays constant activity. In a less mature aquarium, it should be fed high quality flake and mini pellet dry foods with high algae/spirulina/plant content.

What We Like About This Shrimp:

• Superb algae eater
• Relatively rare
• Completely peaceful disposition
• Safe with all plants
• Excellent scavenger

RECOMMENDED TANK PARAMETERS:

• Minimum tank size:2 gallons, recommended 10 gallon minimum for a colony
• Temperature: 61 – 82 F (16 – 28 C)
• pH:6.5 -8.0
• dGH: 6 – 15
• dKH:1-7
• TDS:100 – 400

CARE GUIDELINES:

• Diet: Scavenger that feeds continually. Requires very little feeding in a well-established aquarium containing algae, biofilm, or decaying plant matter. In less mature aquariums, high quality dry foods with high plant content can befed multiple times daily.
• Aquatic Arts Snowflake Premium Shrimp Food&Aquatic Arts Pollen Granules Premium Shrimp Foodare excellent supplements to the diet of any shrimp. Give them a try and your shrimp will thank you for the tasty treat!
• Natural Botanicalsare a great way to boost the immune system of your shrimp and they will also provide lots of essential biofilm for the shrimp to graze on.
• Social behavior: Peaceful
• Origin: Taiwan, Japan, Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia
• Average adult size: 1 inch (2.5 cm)
• Average purchase size: 1/2 to 1 inch (1.3 to 2.5 cm)

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