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Red Nose Shrimp – Detailed Guide: Care, Diet, and Breeding
Caridina gracilirostris, also known as Pinocchio shrimp, Needlenose Caridina, Red Nose Shrimp, Rudolph Shrimp, and some other names, is a fascinating animal and a great albeit somewhat uncommon addition to a home aquarium.
The combination of the weird-looking appearance, strange swimming style, and cleaning functions places Red Nose Shrimp between one of the most interesting ornamental species of freshwater and brackish invertebrates.
However, I have to mention right from the beginning that Red Nose Shrimp are more difficult to keep and should not be attempted by novice shrimp breeders.
So, if you are interested in keeping Caridina gracilirostris as an aquarium pet or want to learn more about these unique creatures, this care guide will tell everything you need to know about them.
As usual, in this detailed guide about Red Nose Shrimp, I have gathered all information about this specie based on existing studies, experiments, researches, and experience of aquarists.
Quick Notes about Red Nose Shrimp
| Name | Red Nose Shrimp |
| Other Names | Pinocchio shrimp, Rhino Shrimp, Red Nose Shrimp, Rudolph Shrimp, Mosquito Shrimp, Redfronted Shrimp, Rocket Shrimp, Needlenose Caridina, Red-Stripe Shrimp, Rote Nashorngarnele |
| Scientific Name | Caridina gracilirostris |
| Tank size (optimal) | 10 gallons (~ 40 liters) |
| Keeping | Medium |
| Breeding | Difficult |
| Size | 3 – 4.5 cm (~1 – 1.7 inches) |
| Optimal Temperature | 24 – 28 °C (75 – 82 °F) |
| Optimal PH | 7.0 – 8.0 |
| Optimal GH | 4 – 15 |
| Optimal KH | 1 – 10 |
| Optimal TDS |
100 – 200 |
| Water type |
Freshwater or SG = 1.0113 (15% ppt) |
| Nitrate | Less than 20 ppm |
| Diet | Algae eater/omnivore |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Life span | 1.5 – 2 years |
| Color Form | Semi-transparent with red and yellow stripe |
Natural Habitat of Red Nose Shrimp
Caridina gracilirostris is widespread and abundant in Madagascar, Japan, Cambodia, Fiji, India, Indonesia (Kalimantan, Lesser Sunda Is., Papua, Sulawesi, Sumatera), Malaysia (Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak), Palau, Philippines, Singapore, Province of China (Taiwan, Province of China (main island)), and Thailand.
Caridina gracilirostris inhabits lower parts of lakes, and slow-moving streams or rivers with seawater influence, very often from brackish water.
Description of the Red Nose Shrimp
Red Nose shrimp are easy to distinguish due to several identifying features on their bodies.
They have a very long red beak—called a rostrum—that is slightly angled upwards. This specie also has a distinctive hump in their body, which distinguishes them almost from all other dwarf shrimp species.
The body of Red Nose shrimp is semi-transparent that makes them potentially a really good alternative of Amano shrimp. Depending on the diet and environment, the shrimp may have some changes in coloration as well (a little more greenish, or yellowish).