Care library / Health

Health guide, not a diagnosis · Mild

Scutariella flatworms (shrimp)

Also called scutariella, shrimp flatworms

Signs

Tiny white threads moving on the shrimp’s head

Cause

A small flatworm parasite of Neocaridina and Caridina shrimp.

What to do

A short salt bath for the shrimp, repeated, and quarantine; ask your shop for a shrimp-safe treatment.

If a fish is badly ill, talk to an aquatic vet.

Prevention

Quarantine new shrimp.

Medicines used for it

Always read the label first

Aquarium saltSalt & water care

Species often affected

21 species

Cherry shrimpNeocaridina davidi

Easy3 cm18–28 °C

Amano shrimpCaridina multidentata

Easy3.5 cm20–28 °C

Crystal red shrimpCaridina cantonensis

Moderate3 cm20–24 °C

Ghost shrimpPalaemon paludosus

Easy4 cm20–27 °C

Bamboo shrimpAtyopsis moluccensis

Moderate7 cm23–28 °C

Vampire shrimpAtya gabonensis

Moderate15 cm24–29 °C

Blue bolt shrimpCaridina cantonensis

Moderate3 cm21–25 °C

Taiwan bee shrimpCaridina cantonensis

Hard3 cm21–25 °C

Tiger shrimpCaridina mariae

Moderate3 cm20–25 °C

Cardinal shrimpCaridina dennerli

Hard2.5 cm28–30 °C

Sulawesi spinata shrimpCaridina spinata

Hard2.5 cm28–30 °C

Malawa shrimpCaridina parvidentata

Easy1.5 cm16–30 °C

Red-nose shrimpGracidina gracilirostris

Easy4 cm20–28 °C

Babaulti shrimpCaridina babaulti

Easy4 cm24–28 °C

Ninja shrimpMarosina serratirostris

Easy3 cm24–28 °C

Bumblebee shrimpCaridina sp. (bumblebee shrimp complex; often sold as Caridina cf. breviata)

Moderate3 cm17–24 °C

Singapore flower shrimpAtyopsis spinipes

Moderate7 cm22–28 °C

Giant freshwater prawnMacrobrachium rosenbergii

Moderate32 cm25–30 °C

Whisker shrimpMacrobrachium assamense

Zhangjiajie shrimpNeocaridina zhangjiajiensis

Australian glass shrimpParatya australiensis