🦐 Red Steel Shrimp – Description & Properties
Red Steel is a selectively bred Caridina cantonensis variety, prized for its vibrant red head with peach tail. This ornamental shrimp is highly valued in planted and species-specific Caridina tanks for its bold coloration and striking contrast.
🌈 Description
Species: Caridina cantonensis
Trade name: Red Steel 
Size: ~1.5cm (unsexed juveniles)
Coloration: Bright red body with peachy tail
Pattern: only head pattern may appear
Behavior: Peaceful, active grazers
The intensity of red and peach highlights depends on genetics, diet, and water quality.
🌟 Properties & Benefits
✔ Vibrant red head with pattern
✔ Eye-catching and ornamental
✔ Active and peaceful behavior
✔ Fully freshwater breeding under stable conditions
✔ Ideal for planted or species-specific Tiger shrimp tanks
✔ Selective breeding enhances stripe contrast and color intensity
💧 Care Requirements
Temperature: 20–25°C (68–77°F)
pH: 5.5–6.5
GH: 4–6
KH: 0–1
TDS: 120–150 ppm
Substrate: Buffering Active Soil
🦐 Breeding
Breeds fully in freshwater
Female carries eggs for ~3–4 weeks
Shrimplets hatch as miniature adults
Mature tanks with established biofilm maximize survival
Selective pairing preserves red intensity and steel-gray stripe pattern
📌 Summary
Red Steel Shrimp are vibrant Caridina shrimp with a red head and peachy tail. Perfect for collectors and planted or species-specific tanks, they are a premium ornamental line for advanced hobbyists.