How to Identify Crystal Red Shrimp

To identify Crystal Red Shrimp (Caridina cantonensis), look at these key features.

Physical Characteristics

Body shape

elongated

Coloration

Characterized by distinct bands of opaque white and vibrant red. The specific pattern and intensity of these bands determine the 'grade' of the shrimp. Higher grades exhibit more solid, opaque white and red coloration with sharper lines between the colors. Common patterns include 'Hinomaru' (red body with a white circle on the back), '日の丸' (Hinomaru), '日の丸モスラ' (Hinomaru Mosura), 'モスラ' (Mosura), and 'タイガー' (Tiger) patterns, among others. The rostrum is typically short and straight.

Scale type

none

Mouth position

inferior

Distinctive features

Striking red and white banded coloration, a result of selective breeding., Small size, typically reaching 2.5-3.5 cm (1-1.4 inches) in length., Transparent pleopods (swimmerets) on the underside of the abdomen, used for swimming and carrying eggs by females., Short, straight rostrum with a few dorsal teeth.

Dorsal fin

Not applicable; shrimp possess pleopods (swimmerets) for locomotion and egg-carrying, not fins.

Tail fin

A broad, fan-like telson and uropods form the tail fan, used for rapid backward escape.

Pectoral fin

Not applicable; shrimp possess pereiopods (walking legs) and maxillipeds (feeding appendages), not pectoral fins.

Distinctive fins

The first two pairs of pereiopods are chelate (pincer-like) and used for feeding. The remaining three pairs are ambulatory (walking legs).

Identification Tips

1. 1

   Coloration and Pattern

   Look for distinct, opaque bands of red and white. The specific arrangement and coverage of these colors are key to identifying different grades (e.g., S, SS, SSS, Mosura, Hinomaru).

2. 2

   Size

   Adults typically range from 2.5 to 3.5 cm (1 to 1.4 inches). Females are generally larger and more robust than males.

3. 3

   Rostrum

   The rostrum (forward-projecting spike between the eyes) is relatively short and straight, with a few small teeth on the dorsal side.

4. 4

   Body Shape

   Typical Caridina shrimp body shape, slightly compressed laterally, with a distinct cephalothorax and segmented abdomen.

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