Breeds in fresh water in the aquarium: eggs are large and the young hatch as miniature shrimp with no larval stage. Breeding is slow and juvenile survival is often low; stable water and plenty of biofilm are key.
Keep 10-15; breeding happens in stable warm hard water.
30-40 L tank with alkaline, mineral-rich water (pH 7.8-8.5, GH 6-8, KH 3-5), 28-30 C, rocks and caves.
Stable hot hard water; avoid water change shock.
About 8-15 large eggs per brood (wild females 8-14; aquarium 10-15). Incubation time not well documented.
Tiny adults; graze on biofilm and powdered food.
One breeding tank for the cardinal shrimp, drawn to scale from the breeding guide.
Water: 28–30 °C · pH 7.8–8.5
A plan from the breeding guide and an adult size of 2.5 cm. Tank shape is a standard 2 : 1 : 1.2 box, at least 6 adult lengths long. Check each step in the guide above.
A 120 cm rack for breeding the cardinal shrimp in numbers.
In total: 4 tanks, about 180 L of water. A litre of water weighs about 1 kg, so check that the floor and rack can take the weight.
Sizes are worked out from the breeding tank in the guide. Tanks fit a standard 120 cm rack when they can; bigger tanks go on their own stands.
Females are larger than males and have a deeper carapace; berried females carry dark-red eggs under the abdomen.
Typical for shrimp
Eggs are carried under the tail. Keep the water stable and don't move her.
After about 2–4 weeks tiny shrimp hatch. They graze on biofilm and moss.
Keep a sponge on the filter intake. Feed powdered shrimp food a little at a time.
They can breed themselves at about 3 months.
A general guide for this breeding type. Days change with temperature and species.
Eggs are carried under the tail. Keep the water stable and don't move her.
Set up a virtual breeding tank and see what would likely happen.
An educational estimate from the breeding rules, not a promise.