Black Tiger Shrimp Caridina 2cm
Image for illustration purposes only. Exact colours, patterns, and size may vary between individuals.
Delivered alive, guaranteed
Live fish delivery is £20 per order, delivered Thursday, Friday or Saturday, arriving before 1:00pm on the day you choose at checkout. Packed by aquatic specialists and shipped overnight with a dedicated livestock courier, every fish is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee with automatic refunds. See How Live Fish Delivery Works for full details.
When will my fish arrive?
| Order placed | Delivery day |
|---|---|
| Up to Monday 11:00am | Thursday (that week) |
| Monday after 11:00am – Tuesday 11:00am | Friday (that week) |
| Tuesday after 11:00am – Wednesday 11:00am | Saturday (that week) |
| Wednesday after 11:00am – Sunday (any time) | Thursday (following week) |
Overview
The Black Tiger Shrimp is a selectively bred Caridina dwarf shrimp in which the tiger stripes have spread into a dense black body, often with striking orange eyes. Its wild ancestor comes from clear hill streams in southern China, so it prefers soft, slightly acidic water. It suits keepers with a little shrimp experience and a stable, mature tank.
- Adult Size: Around 3 cm (1.2 in); females slightly larger
- Lifespan: 1–2 years
Origin
- Native to: Southern China and Hong Kong; captive-bred form
- Habitat: Clear, cool forest streams with leaf litter
Feeding
- Diet: Omnivorous grazer
- Preferred Foods: Biofilm, algae, shrimp pellets, blanched spinach, bee pollen, leaf litter
- Feeding Habits: Small pinch every two days; biofilm does the rest; remove leftovers
Tank Mates
- Best with: Other Caridina, small rasboras, Otocinclus, snails
- Avoid: Cichlids, larger barbs, loaches, predatory fish
Aggression & Behaviour
- Temperament: Completely peaceful
- Territoriality: None; happiest in groups of ten or more
Experience Level
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Challenges: Needs stable soft water; sensitive to copper and ammonia
Water Parameters
- Water Type: Freshwater, soft and slightly acidic
- Temperature: 20–25°C (68–77°F)
- pH: 6.2–7.2
- Hardness: 4–8 dGH
- Flow: Slow, sponge filter ideal
- Tank Size: Minimum 20 litres for a starter group; 40 litres or more is far steadier
Final Notes
Tigers are hardier than crystal shrimp but still want soft water, ideally remineralised RO over an active soil substrate, and no sudden changes. They interbreed with crystal and bee shrimp, so keep lines separate. Breeding is easy with no larval stage. Keep copper medicines away, add moss and leaf litter, and a settled group will breed steadily and look dramatic against pale sand.
Please Note
The livestock that is sold on our online site is not held in store at our Birchwood Aquatic Centre shop. Species sold at the Birchwood Aquatic Centre physical store may differ from ones available to order to your door.
Frequently Asked Questions
In insulated boxes designed for live transport, packed by aquatic specialists,
overnight with a licensed live-animal courier, arriving before 1pm.
It is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee.
Photograph it within 4 hours of delivery, email info@birchwoodaquaticcentre.co.uk with your order number, and the refund is processed automatically. The cover continues for 7 days after arrival.
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. You pick your day at checkout; please choose a day someone is home.
Yes. One basket, one checkout; the fish arrive with the specialist courier and the rest of your order ships as normal.
We can deliver to UK mainland only for live fish.
Follow the five-minute acclimatisation steps in our When Your Fish Arrive guide: float the bags, add tank water gradually, net the fish in, lights low, feed tomorrow.