Cardinal Sulawesi Shrimp are one of the most underrated species of freshwater shrimp out there. In fact, most aquarists have never even heard of them!<\/p>\n
These little critters are a joy to own and look absolutely stunning. We know many owners that wonder why they didn\u2019t take the leap sooner!<\/p>\n
But if you\u2019re interested in getting some for your home tank, there are a few things you should know first.<\/p>\n
Sulawesi Shrimp care requires a strong understanding of their natural environment and how to replicate it in an aquarium. But don\u2019t worry, by the time you\u2019re done reading this guide you\u2019ll be ready to own some yourself!<\/p>\n
Species Summary<\/h2>\n
Small, yet vibrant in coloration, the Cardinal Sulawesi Shrimp (scientific name: Caridina dennerli<\/em>) is a highly sought-after invertebrate in the fish trade.<\/p>\n These dwarf shrimp are very new to the hobby. They were first discovered in 2007.<\/p>\n Because they are still new, there aren\u2019t as many active breeders like there are with other shrimp species<\/a>. As a result, finding this freshwater shrimp can be difficult. If you do manage to find them for sale, they often come with a high price tag!<\/p>\n Cardinal Sulawesi Shrimp are native to the Sulawesi region in Indonesia. They can be found living in two ancient lakes. These lakes, like other bodies of water in the Sulawesi region, are unique.<\/p>\n Thanks to the distinct water parameters of the area, Cardinal Sulawesi Shrimp can be difficult to care for. They require specific conditions to truly thrive. If you have a bit of experience, these creatures can make excellent additions to your collection.<\/p>\n Cardinal Sulawesi Shrimp live slightly longer than most dwarf shrimp species. In the right conditions, they have a lifespan of up to two years.<\/strong><\/p>\n That isn\u2019t that long compared to bigger invertebrates in the trade. To make things even trickier, these shrimp are quite sensitive to water parameter changes. To keep them healthy, you have to stay vigilant about maintaining the tank and fulfilling all of the shrimps\u2019 needs.<\/p>\n One of the biggest reasons these shrimp are in such high demand is because of their head-turning looks.<\/p>\n The body of the shrimp is similar to that of other dwarf shrimps. They have slender segmented bodies, lengthy antennas, and tiny legs.<\/p>\n However, the coloration is where the Cardinal Sulawesi Shrimp really stands out.<\/p>\n The entire shrimp is covered in a vibrant red hue. Spots of white break up that coloration a bit to create a striking appearance.<\/p>\n Author Note:<\/strong> You\u2019ll notice that antennas and front legs are bright white, too. Some specimen may have pure white tails as well.<\/p>\n When you first purchase a Cardinal Sulawesi Shrimp, it will likely be a small juvenile that measures about half an inch in length.<\/p>\n As adults, these shrimp don\u2019t get that much larger. When fully grown most will hover around an inch long.<\/strong><\/p>\n Cardinal Sulawesi Shrimp care is no easy task.<\/p>\n The most difficult aspect is creating the right environment for them. These shrimp hail from ancient lakes with conditions that you don\u2019t see that often in other bodies of water around the world.<\/p>\n Thus, they don\u2019t do well in your average tropical fish tank. To help these shrimp reach their full potential, you need to create a separate environment that\u2019s fine-tuned to their needs. Here are some care guidelines that you can follow to make that happen.<\/p>\n Because they are so small, you don\u2019t need a massive tank. In fact, they\u2019re perfect for smaller nano tanks.<\/p>\n Many owners see success keeping these shrimp in tanks that can hold as little as five gallons!<\/strong><\/p>\n Author Note:<\/strong> That should be fine for a small group. However, we always recommend getting something larger if possible.<\/p>\n A larger aquarium will make it easier to regulate conditions. Smaller tanks are notorious for turning quickly when it comes to water parameters. With more water, you can keep things a bit more stable.<\/p>\n When you\u2019re caring for Cardinal Sulawesi Shrimp, you must recreate their natural environment as much as possible. This can be difficult because the region has distinct water parameters.<\/p>\n The ancient lakes these freshwater shrimps come from are warm and a bit alkali. They\u2019re not salty enough to be considered brackish.<\/p>\n However, the higher pH level is something that most aquarists are not used to.<\/p>\n Before you add the shrimp into the tank, make sure that it\u2019s fully cycled and ready to go. Triple-check the pH balance and hardness to ensure that the shrimp do not go into shock.<\/p>\n Here are the established parameters you need to follow:<\/p>\n In order to stay informed and accurately maintain the water parameters in the tank, perform regular tests with a reliable aquarium test kit<\/a>. Do this roughly twice a week for the best results (there\u2019s no point going overboard).<\/p>\n Take a look at any photo of the Sulawesi region and you\u2019ll see that it\u2019s very biologically diverse. The waters are teeming with life!<\/p>\n You should do your best to recreate that natural environment in your aquarium.<\/p>\n Start with a layer of dark sandy substrate at the bottom of the tank.<\/strong> This mimics the layer of plant detritus on the bottom of the shrimp\u2019s natural habitat.<\/p>\n On top of the substrate, add some rocks and driftwood. Stick with porous surfaces rather than ultra-smooth ones. A porous rock will easily become home to algae. The same goes for rough driftwood.<\/p>\n You can introduce some plants throughout the aquarium as well. The live plants will serve as a source of food for the shrimp. It can also help provide shelter from the light.<\/p>\n For equipment, you\u2019ll need all of the standard fares. Use a filter that\u2019s efficient for the size of the tank, but be sure that the outlet is soft.<\/p>\n Author Note:<\/strong> Cardinal Sulawesi Shrimp prefer calm waters, so you may need to utilize sponges to minimize water disturbance.<\/p>\n Lighting should be kept to a minimum. These shrimp are active at all hours of the day. But they are sensitive to strong light.<\/p>\n Currently, there aren\u2019t any diseases that are known to affect this species specifically. But, that doesn\u2019t mean your shrimp is in the free and clear. They can suffer from all of the major diseases that other freshwater shrimp can experience.<\/p>\n One of the most common issues with Cardinal Sulawesi Shrimp is stress. Poor water conditions can cause the shrimp to become stressed, which opens up the possibilities of bacterial, fungal, and parasitic infections.<\/p>\n The tricky thing about dealing with those issues is that you can\u2019t use copper-based medicines.<\/strong><\/p>\n Like other invertebrates, these shrimp do not handle copper well. Thus, you\u2019ll have to turn to natural treatments if your shrimp comes down with a disease.<\/p>\n The best way to deal with diseases is to avoid them in the first place! Keep the tank clean and continually monitor water conditions.<\/p>\n Avoid performing water changes too frequently. This might seem like surprising advice, but there\u2019s a good reason for it. If you have a well-cycled tank, your filter should be able to take care of nitrates and ammonia efficiently. Frequent water changes will only shock the shrimp.<\/p>\n Cardinal Sulawesi Shrimp are very easy to please. Their main diet in the wild consists of decaying plant matter, algae, and biofilm. In captivity, those same things should be diet staples!<\/p>\n That\u2019s why it\u2019s so important to incorporate things like rocks and driftwood.<\/strong> These shrimp are great algae-eaters<\/a> and will survive mainly on algae and biofilm that grow in the tank, so embrace that natural mess.<\/p>\n If your aquarium is well-maintained you may not have to provide supplemental food at all! If you do, you can use powdered spirulina or other micro-organisms.<\/p>\n At first, Cardinal Sulawesi Shrimp are very shy. When first introduced to a tank, they will spend most of their time in hiding.<\/p>\n You can find them taking cover under rocks, in plant leaves, and anywhere else they can find shelter.<\/p>\n This is perfectly normal. Most shrimp of this size will exhibit some skittishness.<\/p>\n![\"Two](\"https:\/\/www.aquariumsource.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/cardinal-sulawesi-shrimp.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nLifespan<\/h2>\n
Appearance<\/h2>\n
Average Size<\/h2>\n
Cardinal Sulawesi Shrimp Care<\/h2>\n
Tank Size<\/h3>\n
Water Parameters<\/h3>\n
\n
What To Put In Their Tank<\/h3>\n
Frequent Potential Diseases<\/h3>\n
Food & Diet<\/h2>\n
Behavior & Temperament<\/h2>\n