The Red Nose Shrimp is a small, striking freshwater shrimp popular in aquariums for its vivid appearance and active behavior. Here’s a complete, practical overview.

🦐 Basic Identification

• Common name: Red Nose Shrimp / Red Nose Algae Shrimp

• Scientific name: Caridina gracilirostris

• Family: Atyidae

• Origin: Coastal regions of India and Sri Lanka

• Size: ~3–4 cm (1.2–1.6 inches)

• Lifespan: ~1–2 years

🔴 Appearance

• Transparent to slightly bluish body

• Long, pointed bright red rostrum (nose)

• Often mistaken for the Pinocchio shrimp

• Females are usually larger and more robust than males

🌿 Behavior & Temperament

• Peaceful, non-aggressive

• Very active swimmers (more than most dwarf shrimp)

• Best kept in groups (5+)

• Can jump—a lid is strongly recommended

🏡 Tank Requirements

Tank size: 10 gallons (40L) minimum

Water parameters:

• Temperature: 22–28°C

• pH: 6.5–7.5

• Hardness: Soft to moderately hard

Setup tips:

• Well-planted tank (Java moss, floating plants)

• Gentle filtration

• Plenty of hiding spots

• Stable water conditions are critical

🍃 Diet

Red Nose Shrimp are excellent algae grazers, especially:

• Soft algae

• Biofilm

Supplement with:

• Blanched vegetables (spinach, zucchini)

• Algae wafers

• Shrimp pellets

🐟 Tank Mates

Good companions:

• Small, peaceful fish (rasboras, small tetras)

• Other dwarf shrimp

• Snails

Avoid:

• Aggressive fish (cichlids, large barbs)

• Predatory species

🧬 Breeding (Important!)

This is where they differ from common shrimp like Neocaridina davidi:

• Type: Larval (not direct hatch)

• Females carry eggs, but:

  • Larvae require brackish water to survive

• Breeding in home aquariums is very difficult

👉 This makes them harder to propagate compared to cherry shrimp.

⚠️ Common Challenges

• Sensitive to poor water quality

• Can escape tanks

• Not ideal for beginners if stability isn’t maintained

• Breeding complexity

✅ Why Choose Red Nose Shrimp?

• Unique, eye-catching red “nose”

• Active swimmers (more visible than many shrimp)

• Helpful for algae control

If you want, I can compare Red Nose Shrimp vs Cherry Shrimp vs Amano Shrimp, or help you design a perfect tank setup for them.