Caridina gracilirostris

Caridina gracilirostris
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Crustacea
Class: Malacostraca
Order: Decapoda
Infraorder: Caridea
Family: Atyidae
Genus: Caridina
Species: C. gracilirostris
Binomial name
Caridina gracilirostris
De Man, 1892

Caridina gracilirostris is a species of freshwater shrimp in the family Atyidae. It has a wide native range extending from Japan and Fiji through Indonesia to Madagascar.[1] It is an algae-eating species that lives in mangroves and marshes.[2] It is often kept as a pet in freshwater aquariums due to its unique red rostrum, which gives it an unusual appearance. Its common names include red front shrimp,[3] red rhinoceros shrimp, red nosed phantom shrimp, and needlenose caridina.[4]

Description

Caridina gracilirostris has a nearly transparent body, and with an elongated red rostrum on its head. This red rostrum is the basis for many of the common names given to it, like the rhino shrimp and the mosquito shrimp.[5] On the rostrum, there are clusters small and tight spikes on the ventral side of the rostrum, and the dorsal side is covered with larger and more dispersed spikes.[2] If the shrimp's rostrum is broken off, it will regenerate.[6] Males have red lines running laterally down the body, while females are less colorful and more transparent. Both genders have a distinct hump on their abdomen. An adult can reach 3.5–4 centimetres (1.4–1.6 in).[7]

In captivity

These shrimp are favorites in aquariums due to their unique appearance. They interact well with other shrimp of similar size and temperament. Also, they are algae eaters, which many aquarium owners find beneficial. They prefer brackish water conditions but will do fine in clear freshwater aquariums if provided with enough food and vegetation. It is difficult to breed, because it will only mate in brackish water. It will grow to 3.5–4 centimetres (1.4–1.6 in). It prefers water temperature from 20 to 28 °C (68 to 82 °F) and a pH 6.5 to 7.5.[6]

Behavior

Caridina gracilirostris is peaceful and coexists with most other similarly sized shrimps. The swimming of the shrimp has been described as "entertaining".[6]

Reproduction

Females of Caridina gracilirostris often have hundreds of green eggs under their bodies.[8] The larvae requires brackish water to grow.

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Caridina gracilirostris.
External identifiers for Caridina gracilirostris
Encyclopedia of Life 323489
ITIS 97259
NCBI 382070
  1. ↑ De Grave, S., Wowor, D. & Klotz, W. 2013. Caridina gracilirostris. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2013. Downloaded on 14 June 2016.
  2. 1 2 "Caridina gracilirostris". Crusta-Fauna. 8 December 2008.
  3. ↑ Heerbrandt, T. C., & Lin, J. (2006). Larviculture of red front shrimp, Caridina gracilirostris (Atyidae, Decapoda). Journal of the World Aquaculture Society 37(2), 186-190.
  4. ↑ Fransen, C. (2015). Caridina gracilirostris de Man, 1892. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) on 14 June 2016.
  5. ↑ "Red nose shrimp". Petshrimp.com.
  6. 1 2 3 "Red nosed shrimp". Aquatic Community.
  7. ↑ "Caridina gracilirostris (red nose / mosquito shrimp)". ShrimpNow.
  8. ↑ Females of Caridina gracilirostris bearing eggs, reproduction.
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