{"product_id":"north-qld-algae-shrimp-caridina-sp","title":"North QLD Algae Shrimp | Caridina sp.","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe North QLD Algae Shrimp is a tiny, hardworking native Australian shrimp collected from tropical North Queensland waterways. Growing to only around 1-2cm, it is one of the best all-round algae and biofilm grazers available for the clean-up crew of a planted tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis shrimp is native to the fast-flowing, rocky freshwater streams and rivers of North Queensland, where it grazes constantly over algae-covered rocks and submerged wood in well-oxygenated water.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSmall and semi-transparent with mottled olive, brown or grey markings that camouflage it against algae-covered surfaces, this shrimp has a long, fine rostrum and small, precise pincers adapted for scraping biofilm rather than hunting.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eCompletely peaceful, spending nearly all of its time grazing rather than interacting with tankmates. It is far too small to threaten anything and, in turn, is vulnerable to being eaten by larger fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFeeds primarily on algae and biofilm, including diatoms and, when little else is available, black beard algae, though it tends to avoid blue-green and green spot algae. In tanks with limited natural growth, supplement lightly with algae wafers.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBest suited to a mature, well-established tank with some algae\/biofilm already present and gentle water flow to mimic its stream habitat. A minimum of 20 litres is suitable given its diminutive size, with stable tropical temperatures and clean, well-oxygenated water. Sensitive to copper-based medications like most invertebrates.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBreeding this species in the home aquarium is uncommon. Many North Queensland Caridina populations have an amphidromous life cycle in the wild, where larvae are swept downstream to brackish or estuarine water to develop before returning to fresh water as juveniles — a step that is very difficult to replicate in a standard freshwater tank. It is best kept and enjoyed as a long-lived, non-breeding algae-control shrimp rather than purchased for breeding projects.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCaridina sp. (North Queensland algae shrimp)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNorth QLD Algae Shrimp\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNative to North Queensland, Australia\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1-2 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20L (5 US gal)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e40L+\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHerbivore (algae and biofilm grazer)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e22-28°C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.5-7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4-8 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFreshwater (larvae may require brackish water in the wild)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginners, community planted tanks, algae control crews\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eN\/A (Freshwater species)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eIdeal with small peaceful community fish, other native Australian shrimp, and algae-eating snails such as nerites.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAvoid larger or predatory fish, cichlids and crayfish, all of which will readily eat a shrimp this small.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55411438190883,"sku":"AA6316","price":9.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/north-qld-algae-shrimp-3003067-600.jpg?v=1785804786","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/north-qld-algae-shrimp-caridina-sp","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}