Caridina gracilirostris
Encyclopedia
Caridina gracilirostris is an algae
–eating species of shrimp
native to India
. In the wild, it is found in mangrove
s and marsh
es. It is often kept as a pet in freshwater aquarium
s due to its unique red rostrum
, which gives it an unusual appearance. Its common name
s include mosquito shrimp, rhino shrimp, red-fronted shrimp, Rudolph shrimp and red-stripe shrimp.
. An adult can reach 3.5–4 cm (1.4–1.6 in).
s due to their unique appearance. They interact well with other shrimp of similar size and temperament. Also, they are algae eaters, which many aquarium owners find beneficial. They prefer brackish water conditions but will do fine in clear freshwater aquariums if provided with enough food and vegetation. It is difficult to breed, because it will only mate in brackish water
. At most, there should be 1-2 shrimp per gallon of water. It will grow to 3.5–4 cm (1.4–1.6 in). It prefers water temperature from 20 to 28 °C (68 to 82.4 F) and a pH 6.5 to 7.5.
Algae
Algae are a large and diverse group of simple, typically autotrophic organisms, ranging from unicellular to multicellular forms, such as the giant kelps that grow to 65 meters in length. They are photosynthetic like plants, and "simple" because their tissues are not organized into the many...
–eating species of shrimp
Shrimp
Shrimp are swimming, decapod crustaceans classified in the infraorder Caridea, found widely around the world in both fresh and salt water. Adult shrimp are filter feeding benthic animals living close to the bottom. They can live in schools and can swim rapidly backwards. Shrimp are an important...
native to India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. In the wild, it is found in mangrove
Mangrove
Mangroves are various kinds of trees up to medium height and shrubs that grow in saline coastal sediment habitats in the tropics and subtropics – mainly between latitudes N and S...
s and marsh
Marsh
In geography, a marsh, or morass, is a type of wetland that is subject to frequent or continuous flood. Typically the water is shallow and features grasses, rushes, reeds, typhas, sedges, other herbaceous plants, and moss....
es. It is often kept as a pet in freshwater aquarium
Freshwater aquarium
A freshwater aquarium is a receptacle that holds one or more freshwater aquatic organisms for decorative, pet-keeping, or research purposes. Modern aquariums are most often made from transparent glass or acrylic glass. Typical inhabitants include fish, plants, amphibians, and invertebrates, such as...
s due to its unique red rostrum
Rostrum (anatomy)
The term rostrum is used for a number of unrelated structures in different groups of animals:*In crustaceans, the rostrum is the forward extension of the carapace in front of the eyes....
, which gives it an unusual appearance. Its common name
Common name
A common name of a taxon or organism is a name in general use within a community; it is often contrasted with the scientific name for the same organism...
s include mosquito shrimp, rhino shrimp, red-fronted shrimp, Rudolph shrimp and red-stripe shrimp.
Appearance
Caridina gracilirostris has a nearly transparent body, and with an elongated red rostrum on its head. This red rostrum is the basis for many of the common names given to it, like the rhino shrimp and the mosquito shrimp. On the rostrum, there are clusters small and tight spikes on the ventral side of the rostrum, and the dorsal side is covered with larger and more dispersed spikes. If the shrimp's rostrum is broken off, it will regenerate. Males have red lines running laterally down the body, while females are less colorful and more transparent. Both genders have a distinct hump on their abdomenAbdomen
In vertebrates such as mammals the abdomen constitutes the part of the body between the thorax and pelvis. The region enclosed by the abdomen is termed the abdominal cavity...
. An adult can reach 3.5–4 cm (1.4–1.6 in).
Care
These shrimp are favorites in aquariumAquarium
An aquarium is a vivarium consisting of at least one transparent side in which water-dwelling plants or animals are kept. Fishkeepers use aquaria to keep fish, invertebrates, amphibians, marine mammals, turtles, and aquatic plants...
s due to their unique appearance. They interact well with other shrimp of similar size and temperament. Also, they are algae eaters, which many aquarium owners find beneficial. They prefer brackish water conditions but will do fine in clear freshwater aquariums if provided with enough food and vegetation. It is difficult to breed, because it will only mate in brackish water
Brackish water
Brackish water is water that has more salinity than fresh water, but not as much as seawater. It may result from mixing of seawater with fresh water, as in estuaries, or it may occur in brackish fossil aquifers. The word comes from the Middle Dutch root "brak," meaning "salty"...
. At most, there should be 1-2 shrimp per gallon of water. It will grow to 3.5–4 cm (1.4–1.6 in). It prefers water temperature from 20 to 28 °C (68 to 82.4 F) and a pH 6.5 to 7.5.