Red Calceo" most commonly refers to a specific type of freshwater aquarium shrimp, the Red Calceo Bee Shrimp (Caridina cantonensis), also known as the Golden Dragon or Red Dragon Shrimp. This shrimp is prized by aquarium hobbyists for its unique coloration.
Description
The Red Calceo shrimp has a mostly clear or translucent body with distinctive, vibrant red markings or a "zebra-type pattern" on its top. It is a hybrid species resulting from cross-breeding efforts, originally developed by German breeders.
Aquarium Care
Red Calceo shrimp are a type of Caridina shrimp, which generally require more specific and stable water conditions than the more common Neocaridina (like the Red Cherry Shrimp).
- Skill Level: Intermediate to advanced hobbyists, as they can be a little finicky with new environments.
- Water Parameters: They thrive in soft, slightly acidic water conditions. Ideal parameters typically include a pH range of 6.0-6.8, low general hardness (GH) of 4-6, and very low carbonate hardness (KH) of 0-1. Many keepers use RO/DI (reverse osmosis/deionized) water reconstituted with specific shrimp salts to achieve these stable parameters.
- Tank Mates: They are peaceful and best kept in a dedicated shrimp-only aquarium or with other small, non-aggressive species to prevent predation and ensure they are not outcompeted for food.
- Diet: They are omnivores that primarily feed on algae and biofilm in the tank. This can be supplemented with high-quality commercial shrimp pellets, algae wafers, and occasional blanched vegetables
Check Water Parameters
