Blue leopard shrimp - Caridina rubropunctata

The blue Leopard Shrimp (Caridina rubropunctata) from Vietnam is a wild form. The leopard spots are also found in the scientific name: rubropunctata means the red-spotted - whereby the funny spots covering the whole body can be reddish or also dark brown to blackish. Otherwise the shrimp are light blue.

Caridina rubropunctata belong to the species group around Caridina serrata and thus into the relationship of bee shrimp and tiger shrimp. In nature they live in small streams in a mountainous region, which have somewhat harder water than we are used to from the other species in the group around Caridina serrata. Therefore they can be kept very well in soft or even better medium hard water with a neutral pH, at water temperatures up to about 25 °C. In summer, the aquarium may need to be cooled, an aquarium cooler helps with this, with which this is uncomplicatedly possible.

For an aquarium of 20 liters or more, we recommend an initial stocking of 10-20 of the spotted crawlers. For Caridina rubropunctata "Leopard" you do not necessarily need active Soil, because it is not a soft water species. Water-neutral gravel or sand is very suitable as substrate. The shrimps are happy about a good planting in the aquarium, because they like to graze surfaces and eat fine algae coatings and biofilms there. Brown diatoms and flocculent microalgae are also part of their diet.

Hiding places such as shrimp tubes or other hiding places are especially appreciated by young leopard shrimp. Structures can be open or closed at the back. Nice dense moss cushions and a good structure of roots and stones in the aquarium also provide protection and hiding places.

Caridina rubropunctata "Leopard" are peaceful and fun to watch. As group animals they need the company of 10 to 20 conspecifics as a starting population, they will then take over the rest. The Leopard Shrimp is not very assertive and is therefore best kept in a species tank. Theoretically a crossbreeding with bee shrimp, tiger shrimp or other Caridina species from the serrata group would be possible, but there is little practical experience. Due to the preferred water values of the Leopard Shrimp, the association with peaceful snails works well. Also small algae-eating catfish or small, peaceful nano fish are good company. It is important that the by-fish do not eat the shrimp or annoy them by being too curious or lively.

Caridina rubropunctata "Leopard" belongs as a Caridina of the serrata group to the specialized reproduction type, which means that the juveniles do not need salt water for their development, but grow up in fresh water without any problems. After a successful mating, the females of the Leopard Shrimp carry about 15 to 30 clearly visible brownish eggs under the abdomen, which are attached to the webbed feet with a sticky thread. After 3-4 weeks of brood care, the young hatch. The young grow up without problems in the aquarium of the parents.

Like all dwarf shrimp in the aquarium, the leopard shrimp is also a first-class scavenger. As omnivore it takes besides biofilms. As permanent food we always recommend some brown autumn leaves for Caridina rubropunctata, also sea almond leaves or catappa leaves are very suitable. In addition, the beautiful spotted shrimp like to eat a high quality shrimp food with many vegetable parts as well as a protein food suitable for dwarf shrimp as a dietary supplement once or twice a week. Leopard shrimp also like to eat dust food or food paste.

Our food recommendation:NatureHolic's soft mainfeed softpads are designed for daily feeding. They contain all the nutrients shrimp need for shell development, egg formation and growth. During production we pay attention to a gentle and environmentally friendly production, in which the vitamins and other valuable ingredients are preserved as far as possible.

Our plant recommendation: Use for planting NatureHolic InVitros. These are free of snails, planaria and other unwanted co-inhabitants. Also free of algae spores, bacteria and fungi.

Expert Tip: We recommend when keeping fish the NatureHolic 3 Phase Liquid. The care set offers the best all-round protection for your animals. It ensures optimal conditions for successful breeding and keeping.