Yellow Nose Shrimp

The yellow nose shrimp is a small Caridina species endemic to the Malili lakes on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi. At the front of its semi-transparent, amber-brown body is a bright yellow-gold nose (rostrum). Like the other shrimp in these lakes, it is adapted to warm, soft but alkaline water and is very sensitive to parameter swings. Breeding in the aquarium is possible but slow; wild-caught individuals are also found for sale.

• 30 liters or more, a mature aquarium with biofilm-covered rocks.
• RO water with a Sulawesi mineral: GH 4–8, KH 2–5, pH 7.5–8.5; temperature 26–29°C.
• Inert sand and plenty of rocks; active substrates that lower pH are not used.
• A 2–3 hour acclimation using the drip method; small water changes with matched parameters.

Omnivorous; its main food is the biofilm on the rocks. It is supplemented with very small amounts of shrimp food, powdered biofilm food and spirulina. Excess food quickly spoils water quality.

Peaceful and shy; it mostly grazes on top of the rocks.

Good companions: Rabbit snails, nerite snails, other Sulawesi animals that need the same water parameters.

Avoid: Neocaridina and bee shrimp (they need different water), fish, panther crabs, any product containing copper.