Red Goldflake Shrimp .:. Caridina sp. "Red Goldflake" .:. Freshwater Aquarium Shrimp Species Information Page

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English name: Red Goldflake Shrimp

Scientific name:

Caridina sp "Red Goldflake"

Origin: Indonesia

Size: .75 in / 1 in

Water temperature: 78 - 85 °F

Water Parameters: pH 7.0 - 8.5

Breeding Rate: low

Behaviour: non-agressive

Difficulty: difficult

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Red Goldflake Shrimp | Caridina sp. "Red Goldflake"

Red Goldflake Shrimp

Caridina sp. "Red Goldflake"

Overview

The Red Goldflake Shrimp is another one of the magnificent species from Sulawesi, Indonesia. It is one of the largest species from Sulawesi and is also considered one of the most beautiful. It is not a beginner's species and only experienced hobbyists should attempt to keep this species.

Background

The Red Goldflake Shrimp is from Sulawesi, Indonesia. Sulawesi is one of the islands encompassing the country of Indonesia. The Red Goldflake Shrimp is caught in one of several lakes in Sulawesi. I highly suggest that you read the article Sulawesi Expedition for detailed information on Sulawesi as well as more information on is habitat. There are also underwater photos of the lake system.

Water Parameters

As with all Sulawesi Shrimp it is highly recommended that you keep the Red Goldflake Shrimp in a temperature of at least 78F. Anything lower can kill this species. It is also recommended that you keep this species in a tank with hard water and a ph of no less than 7.0.

I believe that due to the fact that the Red Goldflake Shrimp is one of the larger species from Sulawesi that it required a larger tank. I do not believe that it enjoys a crowded tank or a small tank either. I recommend a tank of at least 15 gallons for this species. No more than 15 shrimp per 15 gallons either.

A lot of hobbyists attempt to replicate the environment of the Red Goldflake Shrimp by using rocks for aesthetics and algae surfaces.There are also those who use coral chips or similar to raise the water hardness. Sand is also a common choice to use in the aquarium.

Breeding

The Red Goldflake Shrimp has been successfully bred in captivity according to other breeders worldwide. Breeding is done in complete freshwater, not salt or brackish water is required whatsoever. The adult females carry the eggs until they hatch, producing miniature shrimp. The females carry roughly 20-25 eggs which is more than the typical sulawesi shrimp. It takes approximately 20-30 days for the eggs to hatch. The babies will show similar coloration to the adults after hatching. Below is a close up photo of a baby Red Goldflake Shrimp.

I was lucky to receive some pregnant Red Goldflake Shrimp from overseas as well as some babies that hatched during overseas shipments. The babies did not fair well after being in the tank and any of the babies that hatched in the tank also did not seem to make it. As stated before, I believe that this species requires a large tank and does not like to be crowded. There may be other requirements for this species to successfully breed and grow which is unknown at this time. Below is a photo of a baby Red Goldflake Shrimp next to an adult.

Sexing

Sexing of the Red Goldflake Shrimp is difficult and so far no one has fully figured out how to do so with the naked eye. The females have a saddle showing eggs underneath the carapace but the only way to actually see the saddle is with an infrared light. The outside shell of the Red Goldflake Shrimp is so dark that you cannot possibly see the saddle without special equipment. As far as using the principle of the other shrimps species, meaning females are larger and have a curved underbelly, does not apply to the Red Goldflake Shrimp unfortunately. Males and females seem to look exactly the same.

Appearance

The Red Goldflake Shrimp earns its name from the dark maroon coloartion and the gold speckles, or flakes, around the body. It is a very nice species to look at in person. The red and gold coloration really contrast each other well. Males and females do not seem to have any difference in coloration or intensity. Below is a video of a Red Goldflake Shrimp in action. Notice the difference in its size compared to the other species in the video.

Behavior

The Red Goldflake Shrimp can be a shy species if it is not healthy or happy with the aquarium it is in. It will crowd together with other Red Goldflake Shrimp in a dark place and not move when unhappy. I highly recommend a tank larger than 15 gallons to house this species. It seems to do a lot better when not crowded. I have observed that once this species becomes well adjusted to its new environment it will come out in the front of the tank and pick for food.

Feeding

I feed all of the Sulawesi Shrimp, including the Red Goldflake Shrimp, the same as I feed all of the other shrimp I keep. I feed mostly Shirakura food and The occasional algae water or other invert food. This species will eat at all times of the day but I believe that they prefer to eat at night when they feel safe. I have noticed that when the lights are off they will come out and eat better than when the lights are on.

Feeding is best done once a day. Only feed an amount of food that the shrimp can finish within 2-3 hours maximum. It is not good to feed in excess and have food sitting for too long. Overfeeding is a known cause of death and can also cause water quality issues. Remember that shrimp are scavengers in the wild. They will eat whatever they find and are not used to a constant food source 24/7. Not feeding for one or two days is fine and will not harm this species at all. Sometimes I will not feed for a couple of days in order to let the shrimp cleanse their systems and keep the water clean at the same time. Below is a photo of a Red Goldflake Shrimp picking at a rock for food.