Snow Zebra Shrimp (Caridina caerulea)

Meet the Snow Zebra Shrimp (Caridina caerulea) — a rare and beautiful Sulawesi species known for its soft translucent body with clean white striping, like tiny zebras gliding across warm, crystal-clear water. Peaceful and elegant, these shrimp are perfect for keepers who enjoy exotic species and unique, minimalist aquascapes.

Like other Sulawesi shrimp, they prefer warm, alkaline water and thrive in clean, stable conditions.

Tank Requirements

Tank Size: Minimum 20–30 L (bigger tanks provide more stability)

Temperature: 26 – 30 °C (warm, tropical water is essential)

pH: 7.5 – 8.5 (alkaline zone)

Water Hardness: GH 6 – 8, KH 3 – 5

TDS: 150 – 200

Filtration: Gentle sponge filter or low-flow setup with a pre-filter guard to protect shrimplets

Substrate & Décor:
Use sand or substrate safe for high pH and minerals. Add rockwork, lava rock, crushed coral or limestone to help maintain alkalinity. Fine plants and biofilm-rich surfaces give them places to graze all day.

Avoid rapid changes in temperature or parameters — they are very sensitive to instability.

Diet

Snow Zebras eat continuously throughout the day and thrive on:

✅ Biofilm and algae
✅ High-quality Sulawesi shrimp foods
✅ Blanched veggies like spinach or zucchini (small amounts)
✅ Mineral-based foods to help moulting

Feed lightly 2–4 times per week. These shrimp prefer clean water with natural grazing surfaces.

Social Behavior

Peaceful and shy, especially when kept alone.
They are happiest in groups of 8–10 or more.

Safe companions include:

✅ Sulawesi snails
✅ Other peaceful Sulawesi shrimp species
❌ No fish — even small fish cause stress and reduce survival

A species-only setup gives the best results.

Breeding

Females carry eggs for several weeks before babies hatch as tiny versions of the adults.
Stable warm water, lots of biofilm and low nitrates are essential for shrimplet survival.
Snow Zebras breed more slowly than Neocaridina, but colonies grow steadily under the right conditions.

⭐ Fun Fact

Caridina caerulea comes from ancient Sulawesi lakes that are millions of years old. Their clear and white striped bodies help them blend into sandy, rocky lake bottoms — a natural camouflage that makes them look like tiny underwater ghosts moving through the aquarium.

Reference: Bubbly Fish – creating underwater wonders.