Care guide, husbandry, breeding, disease, sourcing, and tankmate intelligence on Tiger Shrimp - written by the Fast Aquatics editorial team and cross-verified against vendor records on the live marketplace.
Tiger Shrimp at a glance
Adult size: 1 inch · Minimum tank/pond: 10 gallons · Difficulty: intermediate · Diet: omnivore · Lifespan: 1-2 years.
Tiger Shrimp (Caridina cantonensis) is a freshwater invertebrate kept by aquarists for planted-tank cleanup crew + breeding-line collecting. Suitable for keepers with 6-12 months of experience and stable water chemistry.
Where Tiger Shrimp comes from
Tiger Shrimp (Caridina cantonensis) is native to freshwater habitats across multiple continents. The captive-bred Tiger Shrimp sold at most LFS comes from generations of farmed stock and is generally hardier and better-acclimated to tank conditions than wild-caught equivalents. Wild specimens are occasionally available for keepers chasing original-bloodline coloration or biotope-accurate stocking.
Tiger Shrimp tank size and setup
Tiger Shrimp requires a minimum of 10 gallons for healthy adults. The minimum is based on the species' adult size (1 inch), territorial range, and behavior pattern. Most Tiger Shrimp sold at small juvenile size will reach full adult size within 12-24 months and the system must be sized to the adult, not the juvenile.
For a Tiger Shrimp setup: mature planted tank or low-stocked community tank with stable parameters, mineralized substrate (or remineralized RO/DI for Caridina), low-flow filtration that does not suck up shrimplets, and minimal copper exposure (avoid copper-treated medications).
Use dechlorinator on every water change. Test parameters weekly during cycling, biweekly once stable. Stable consistency beats sliding-scale "ideal" parameters.
What Tiger Shrimp eats
Tiger Shrimp is a omnivore. Eats a varied diet of pellets, frozen foods, and supplemental greens. Quality flake or pellet (Hikari, New Life Spectrum, Tetra) plus frozen mysis or bloodworms 2-3x weekly produces best color and behavior. Feed Tiger Shrimp appropriately for its size + activity level. Overfeeding is the #1 cause of water-quality crashes in tanks of all sizes.
Tiger Shrimp tankmates and compatibility
Tiger Shrimp works alongside peaceful community fish. Avoid mixing with fin-nippers (some tetras, barbs), aggressive cichlids, or large predators. Best in shrimp-only or mostly-shrimp tanks for breeding success - any larger fish will eat shrimplets.
Browse care guides for tankmate-compatibility tables for Tiger Shrimp and similar species.
Tiger Shrimp adult size and lifespan
Tiger Shrimp reaches 1 inch at adulthood with a captive lifespan of 1-2 years with proper care. Females carry eggs under the abdomen until hatch; in stable tanks, breeding populations sustain themselves indefinitely.
Can you breed Tiger Shrimp?
Yes - Tiger Shrimp is one of the more readily-bred freshwater invertebrates. Provide stable parameters, a mineralized substrate, plenty of biofilm, and avoid copper. Females carry eggs 25-30 days; shrimplets are immediately free-living and eat biofilm/algae.
Common Tiger Shrimp diseases and problems
Tiger Shrimp is susceptible to standard freshwater diseases (ich, columnaris, fin rot, bacterial infections). Quarantine new Tiger Shrimp for 4 weeks before adding to your display tank. Treat fish in a separate hospital tank to avoid affecting plants and inverts. Most disease outbreaks trace back to poor water quality, chronic stress, or skipped quarantine.
Where to buy Tiger Shrimp online
Tiger Shrimp is sold at LFS (local fish stores), online retailers, and direct from breeders/wholesalers. Pricing varies widely by source, size, and quality:
Browse live Tiger Shrimp from vetted Fast Aquatics vendors with carrier-tracked overnight shipping (FedEx Priority + UPS Next Day), climate-aware hold logic, and a 4-hour DOA window with photo-evidence claims. Captive-bred or aquacultured specimens cost more upfront but arrive healthier and integrate faster.
Tiger Shrimp FAQ
How big does Tiger Shrimp get?
1 inch at adulthood within 12-24 months.
How long does Tiger Shrimp live?
1-2 years with proper care.
What is the minimum tank/pond size?
10 gallons, with larger systems strongly recommended.
Is Tiger Shrimp hard to keep?
Tiger Shrimp is rated intermediate difficulty.
What does Tiger Shrimp eat?
Tiger Shrimp is a omnivore; appropriate diet matches its natural feeding pattern.
Tiger Shrimp taxonomy and care recommendations cross-checked against the following authoritative references and our internal vendor + breeder database.