Keeping Caridina in tap water: is it a good idea?
Anyone who dives into the world of dwarf shrimp will quickly come across the beautiful Caridina species such as Bee Shrimp, Taiwan Bees or Tiger Shrimp. But while robust Neocaridina often thrive in tap water without problems, there is often uncertainty about Caridina.
The short answer is: It depends – but caution is usually advised.
Why tap water is often problematic for Caridina
Caridina shrimp, especially the popular high-bred varieties (Bee variants), originally come from very soft, slightly acidic and extremely clean biotopes. However, our tap water is designed to meet the needs of humans, not the sensitive gills of soft water shrimp.
The biggest risk factors:
Water hardness: Most households in Germany have medium-hard to hard water. A high carbonate hardness (KH) often leads to molting problems in Caridina, which can be fatal.
Pollutants: Copper from old pipes, chlorine or nitrates are harmless to us, but highly toxic to Caridina.
Fluctuating water values: Waterworks change the composition depending on the season (e.g. by switching between well and reservoir water). Caridina react extremely sensitively to such fluctuations.
The exception: Which Caridina tolerate tap water?
Not all Caridina are equally sensitive. While most high-bred varieties quickly give up in hard water, there are some species that are significantly more robust and can be kept in tap water under certain circumstances:
The Amano shrimp (Caridina multidentata):
It is the "tank" among Caridina. Since it often lives near the coast in nature, it is adapted to changing water values. It usually tolerates medium-hard to hard tap water without any problems.
The Tiger shrimp (Caridina mariae):
Tiger shrimp are considered the perfect "bridge animals". They originally come from waters that are somewhat richer in minerals than those of the Bee shrimp. If your tap water is not extremely hard and you buy a strain that has already been bred in tap water, keeping them can work well here.
Rhino shrimp and other wild forms:
Some specialized species from rivers with currents are less squeamish about carbonate hardness, as long as the oxygen content remains high and the germ density low.
Important note: Unfortunately, this does not apply to the popular Bee Shrimps (bee shrimp), Red Wine, Blue Bolts or Taiwan Bees. These species absolutely require soft water with a carbonate hardness KH close to 0, which is almost never permanently and safely achieved with conventional tap water.
The solution for Caridina fans: Treated water
If you want to see magnificent colors and stable offspring from your Caridina, you should not take a chance with "tap water". Most professionals use a proven system:
Reverse osmosis system or deionizer: This removes all minerals and pollutants from the tap water. You get "empty" water GH 0, KH0.
Salting with mineral salts: You add a special Bee-Salt (GH+) to the clean water. This allows you to set the exact values that Caridina need: A total hardness GH of approx. 6 and a carbonate hardness KH of 0 to 1.
Pro tip: Additionally use an active substrate (soil) in your Caridina tank. This buffers the pH value into a slightly acidic range (approx. 6.0 – 6.5), which massively increases the well-being of the animals.
Conclusion: Safety first.
Can Caridina be kept in tap water? Yes, for Amano shrimp, maybe for tiger shrimp – for bee shrimp and high-bred varieties, it's a high risk.
Your success as a shrimp keeper depends on the stability of your water. With a reverse osmosis system and the right salting system from our shop, you are on the safe side and prevent frustrating failures.
