Tangerine Tiger Shrimp (Caridina Serrata)
Even though the Tangerine Tiger Shrimp was one of the first known shrimp species described in scientific research, it is still a poorly understood species.
Tangerine Tiger shrimp are not very well-known in the aquarium hobby, but they are still one of the best dwarf shrimp you can hope for. These Shrimp are peaceful, hardy, and easy to look after. They are harmless and will not bother other species in the community aquarium. They are not territorial and favour being in large groups. The bigger the shrimp colony, the more secure they will feel, and they will act more confident.
Tangerine Tiger shrimp have a fascinating and attractive colour. In the aquarium trade, we can often see yellow or orange variations of these Shrimp, and they have several colour variants. Their semi-transparent bodies can acquire a yellow, purple, blue or even a greenish tint.
These shrimp display dark irregular stripes and their bodies are covered with many tiny dots that make them look attractive. Another distinguishable trait of this species is that the Tangerine Tiger has a very short rostrum.
Wild-types of Caridina Serrata is usually brown or colourless. This will help them to blend into their environment, which makes it more difficult for predators to find them.
Hobbyists bred all these fancy colours, and slowly brighter colours came out until eventually, we get to the strains.
Photos
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Caridina Serrata |
| Other Names | Orange Tiger |
| Classification | Malacostraca |
| Order | Decapoda |
| Family | Atyidae |
| Genus | Caridina |
| Origins | China, Hong Kong |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Aquarium Level | Bottom - Middle |
| Difficulty | Beginner - Intermediate |
| Shoaling | No |
| Best kept as | Groups 10+ |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Reproduction | livebearer |
| Lifespan | 1 - 2 years |
| Water Parameters | |
|---|---|
| Water Type | Freshwater |
| PH | 6.0 - 7.5 |
| GH | 3 - 6 |
| KH | 1 - 2 |
| TDS | 150 - 250 |
| Temperature | |
|---|---|
| 68 - 74℉ 20 - 23.3℃ | |
Feeding
Tangerine Tiger shrimp are scavengers, and not at all fussy eaters. In a well-established aquarium, they can usually find enough supply of food
by using their specialized chelipeds to consume algae, leaf litter, biofilm and detritus, any food, they succeed in finding on the bottom of your aquarium.
However, to keep Tangerine Tigers healthy, it will be a good idea to supplement them from time to time with traditional shrimp foods as well as some blanched zucchini, cucumber, lettuce, carrots, and spinach to their diet.
Indian almond leaves would also be a great choice to add to their diet because of its outstanding properties and qualities.
Sexual Dimorphism
It is relatively easy to differentiate male Shrimp from females. The females are usually bigger and broader and display more markings than the males, and they also have longer pleopods since they have to carry eggs. The males are slightly smaller and slimmer than females.