Wild Type Tiger Shrimp (Caridina mariae)

The wild type Tiger Shrimp can adapt to a variety of parameters. They prefer softer acidic water but can live in more challenging water environments as well. They will cross-breed with other tiger shrimp variants like the blue or tangerine tiger.

Like most dwarf shrimp, the Tiger shrimp is an omnivore, active, peaceful and a non-aggressive species. They can be kept together with other shrimps and small peaceful fish that do not eat shrimp.

The Tiger Shrimp can be distinguished from other species by its striking colour pattern which consists of a semi-transparent body with a dark brown to a blackish blotch on the lower portion of the upper shell. A series of similarly-coloured stripes on the posterior part of the upper shell and first six abdominal sections, and a lack of dark markings on the tail fin.

There are several colour variations of this aquarium shrimp available in the hobby, and these include Blue Tiger shrimp, The Wild type and the Black Tiger shrimp.

Photos

Feeding

Tiger Shrimp are scavengers and grazers, naturally consuming natural biofilm and decaying plant matter around the tank. Tank decorations such as driftwood or Indian Almond Leaves provide additional surface area for biofilm to grow and the leaves break down over time providing a natural food source for these shrimp. Live plants offer similar benefits.

Other than natural food sources, there is a mixture of commercially made shrimp foods. These foods often contain fish, crustacean plant matter or algae in pellet form, wafers or powder form.