Red Nose Shrimp

Species Profile

The Red Nose Shrimp is one of the most peculiar and charming "oddball" freshwater shrimp. Named for their incredibly long, needle-like red rostrum, these shrimp resemble Pinocchio. Their bodies are primarily translucent, often accented with a subtle yellow or red stripe running the full length of the back. While their appearance is whimsical, their work ethic is serious, as Red Nose Shrimp are widely considered to be on par with Amano Shrimp for their ability to consume hair algae and various other nuisance algae types.

Red Nose Shrimp are unique not just in looks, but in behavior. Unlike many dwarf shrimp that stay glued to the substrate, Red Nose Shrimp are active swimmers and can often be seen hovering in the water column like tiny helicopters. They are peaceful and social, making them a fantastic addition to a community shrimp aquarium. Important Care Tip: It is important to have a lower water level or aquarium lid with this variety, as they are also known to be jumpers!

**Note: All livestock orders will come carefully packaged with solid wall Styrofoam insulation and shipped via 1-day shipping only. No additional insulation is needed for your livestock.

Key Features & Notes

• Tank-raised unsexed juveniles featuring an elongated red rostrum and clear body with subtle striping.
• Powerhouse algae eater capable of tackling tough hair algae, thread algae, and biofilm.
• Unique hover-swimming capability that keeps them buoyant and active throughout the water column.
• Peaceful, social behavior making them ideal community tankmates and peaceful dwarf shrimp for aquariums.
• To increase survival rates, please allow 2 to 3 business days after an order is placed to properly prepare live animal shipments.

Care Specifications

• Maintain a tight-fitting lid or lower water level to prevent these active jumpers from leaping out of the tank.
• Keep water parameters strictly free of copper-based medications or heavy metals.
• Supplement their diet with plant-based shrimp pellets, spirulina, and blanched vegetables to ensure proper minerals for molting when natural algae is low.
• Ensure water quality remains clean and well-filtered, as they thrive best in established community systems.

Quick Facts

Listed information should be treated as general guidelines only. Team Buce Plant encourages you to maintain stable parameters to ensure a healthy, thriving colony!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I properly acclimate my new freshwater shrimp to prevent shock?

Dwarf shrimp are sensitive to sudden shifts in water parameters and total dissolved solids (TDS). Always drip acclimate new arrivals over 1 to 2 hours before releasing them into your tank. Follow our step-by-step tutorial in 7 Easy Steps to Drip Acclimate Shrimp and Fish for the perfect drip rate setup.

2. What substrate is best for keeping dwarf shrimp healthy?

It depends on the species! Neocaridina and hardy Caridina species can thrive in inert substrates or active soils depending on parameter goals. Learn how to select the right foundation for your aquarium shrimp in our Best Substrate for Shrimp Guide.

3. How do I get my colony to start breeding?

Unlike dwarf species that hatch fully formed shrimplets, Red Nose Shrimp require brackish water stages for larval survival. They will not reproduce successfully in pure freshwater setups. To learn more about species that breed easily in freshwater setups, check out our guide on How to Breed Freshwater Shrimp.

4. Are dwarf shrimp easy to care for if I am a beginner?

Red Nose Shrimp are hardy adults that acclimate well to freshwater community setups, making them great utility additions for controlling algae. If you are just starting out, get a complete overview of parameters, diet, and setup requirements in our Freshwater Aquarium Shrimp Care Guide.