Glossary

The segmented rear body section of a shrimp. The abdomen bends powerfully during escape movements and carries the swimmerets underneath.

Aquarium substrate that influences water chemistry, for example through acidification. Product behaviour, source water and time in use determine the result; monitor pH and KH.

Pump that sends air to a sponge filter or air stone. Increases gas exchange and supports oxygen supply.

A small stone that divides air into fine bubbles. It improves surface movement and oxygen exchange.

A natural food source on glass, stones and plants.

Algae-grazing Caridina multidentata. Adults live in freshwater, but larval development requires saline water; appropriate salinity depends on the rearing protocol.

The un-ionised form of ammonia, generally much more toxic than NH4+. At a given total ammonia concentration, the NH3 fraction increases with pH and temperature.

Harm from ammonia exposure, with NH3 generally much more toxic than NH4+. Measure total ammonia, pH and temperature; behaviour alone does not confirm the cause.

The ionised form NH4+, generally less toxic than NH3. Both coexist; their proportions change with pH and temperature among other factors.

Long sensory organs that shrimp use to detect flow, food and obstacles.

Shorter front sensory organs next to the antennae. They help with smell, balance and orientation in the aquarium.

A hardy epiphyte plant for wood or rock.

Maturing an aquarium until beneficial bacteria can process waste.

German hobby term for natural growth of algae, bacteria and microfauna on surfaces.

Breeding offspring back to a parent line.

Product intended to support microorganisms or biofilm. Check its label and loading; more bacteria food does not automatically mean more safely available shrimp food.

Marked bacterial growth in the water that may cause a milky haze. Cloudiness alone does not establish it; also check oxygen and water parameters.

A colony of beneficial microorganisms in the filter, substrate and biofilm.

Infection involving bacteria. Stress and water quality may be relevant, but lethargy, discolouration or deaths do not establish a bacterial diagnosis.

English hobby term for a female carrying eggs under the abdomen. In Dutch this is called eitjesdragend.

Microbial growth on a surface, which may include bacteria and algae. Shrimp graze on it, but composition and nutritional value vary.

Commercial foods or additives intended to support microorganisms or grazing food. Product claims do not prove that a tank supplies a complete and sufficient diet.

Dark Taiwan Bee variety with black coverage and white accents.

Dark red Neocaridina variety whose color often appears deeper in the tissue.

Taiwan Bee variety with a white to blue body. Appreciated for soft blue tones and selective high-grade breeding.

Dark blue Neocaridina davidi selection.

Light to bright blue Neocaridina variety.

Natural materials such as leaves, seed pods and bark.

Rearing with saline water, including for Amano larvae. Required salinity and transition to freshwater depend on the species and rearing protocol.

Selected group of healthy animals with desired traits.

Age or size at which shrimp become fertile.

Behavior in which the female keeps eggs clean and oxygenated. She fans them with pleopods and removes bad eggs.

The time a female carries eggs until the young shrimp hatch. Duration depends strongly on species and temperature.

A slow-growing epiphyte plant attached to wood or rock.

The ability of water or substrate to slow pH swings.

Mineral element contributing to water hardness and the mineralised exoskeleton. A failed molt alone is not a reason to add calcium.

Food with added or relatively high calcium. A food product does not replace suitable aquarium water; extra calcium is not an established universal cure for molting problems.

Filter located outside the aquarium that pumps water through filter media. Fit appropriate intake protection for young shrimp and check the flow.

Hard dorsal shell that protects the head and thorax. In shrimp, the carapace is a visible part of the exoskeleton.

Dark Neocaridina variety with a black or bluish pattern and partly transparent body.

Caridina dennerli, a red-and-white marked species from Lake Matano. Its husbandry requirements should not be extended to all Sulawesi shrimp.

Species within the Bee shrimp complex. Many Crystal Red and Crystal Black lines are linked to this species or close relatives.

Decomposing catappa leaves provide biofilm, fiber and tannins. They are mainly a long-term supplemental food, not a complete diet.

Dried leaves from the Indian almond tree. They release tannins and are slowly broken down by shrimp and microfauna.

The fused head-thorax section under the carapace. Important organs such as gills, stomach and hepatopancreas are located here.

Small valve in an airline that stops water flowing back.

Front legs with small claws. Shrimp use them to bring biofilm, algae and food to the mouth.

A more stable combination of chlorine and ammonia in tap water. It does not disappear quickly by aeration and requires a suitable water conditioner.

Disinfectant used in some drinking-water systems that can harm aquatic animals. Check local treatment and, where needed, use an appropriate conditioner as labelled.

Damage from untreated tap water containing chlorine or chloramine. Symptoms can appear immediately after a water change.

Porous cactus-like wood with holes.

Moss with branching growth that resembles small Christmas tree branches.

The distribution of pigment cells over the body.

Pigment cells that create color patterns.

Carbon dioxide supplies carbon to plants and influences pH. Excess can harm animals even without low oxygen; CO2 and dissolved oxygen are separate measurements.

System that adds carbon dioxide for plant growth. In shrimp tanks, CO2 requires extra control of pH and oxygen.

Breeding in a fixed group without controlling individual pairings. Suitable for beginners, but selection is less precise.

How completely color covers the body. Good coverage means few translucent or patchy areas.

Strength and depth of visible color.

How well offspring keep the same color as the parent line.

Heavy metal that can be toxic to shrimp even at low concentrations. Risks come from pipes, medicines, fertilizers and decoration.

Harm from exposure to a harmful copper concentration. Risk depends on species, dose and water chemistry; the mere presence of copper does not establish poisoning.

Breeding different lines, varieties or closely related species together. It can produce new patterns but also unpredictable offspring.

Black-and-white Bee shrimp from the Caridina complex.

Red-and-white Bee-Caridina breeding form, commonly kept in soft water with low KH. Active substrate is a possible system choice, not part of the species definition.

In selective breeding: excluding animals from a chosen breeding group because they do not fit its goal. Colour selection is not a health test; rehome responsibly and never release them outdoors.

The covering formed outside the living epidermis that constitutes the exoskeleton. During molting the old cuticle is shed and the new covering subsequently hardens.

Algae with a silica-containing cell wall that can form brown aquarium growth. A brown layer alone does not establish their identity.

Dark line through the body where food remains may be visible.

Controls the brightness of LED lighting.

Reproduction in which young hatch as tiny shrimp. Neocaridina and many Caridina do not have a free-swimming larval stage.

Gene variant that can be visible when only one copy is present. Not all shrimp colors follow simple dominance.

Pump that doses liquid additives accurately. Useful in planted tanks, but overdosing can harm shrimp.

Decorative stone with holes and a rough structure. Check water values, because composition can differ by batch.

Predatory larva that can catch young and adult shrimp. Usually introduced with outdoor plants or untreated aquatic plants.

Method of gradually adding aquarium water to transport water. Assess temperature, chemistry and shipping-water condition first; a longer drip is not always safer.

Measure of how well water conducts electricity, influenced by ions and temperature. EC does not identify individual substances or establish suitability for a shrimp species.

Hobby term for fungus-like growth on eggs. Appearance alone does not identify a fungus or cause of egg loss; assess the animal and surrounding conditions.

Name of a group of parasitic organisms, sometimes applied in the hobby to green growth. Green growth on a freshwater shrimp is not confirmed Ellobiopsidae identification; Cladogonium is among the possible lookalikes.

External skeleton made of chitin and minerals. It protects the shrimp but must be shed regularly for growth.

A day when no supplementary food is offered. It is not a general health rule; suitability depends on the animals, life stage and food actually available.

Small dish for offering food in one place. Makes leftovers easier to remove and keeps the substrate cleaner.

Fusion of a sperm and an egg cell. This differs from mating or visibly carrying eggs beneath the abdomen.

Material inside a filter, such as sponge, ceramic media or biological substrate.

Caridina pattern with a central dorsal line and side stripes, resembling a fish skeleton.

Cycling without animals, using an ammonia source or food.

Plants that grow at the water surface. They soften light, take up nitrate and provide cover for shrimp.

Highly selected Caridina with a dorsal line, side patterns and often head speckles.

The genetic makeup of a shrimp.

Measure of general hardness, mainly determined by calcium and magnesium in aquarium water. GH does not diagnose molting problems or show their individual proportions.

Respiratory organs that allow shrimp to take oxygen from water. Poor oxygen levels or dirty water stress the gills.

Quality label for color, pattern or coverage. Grades differ by variety and are not always internationally consistent.

Searching for and taking food from surfaces. Many grazing dwarf shrimp do this regularly; visible grazing proves neither a complete diet nor a feeding model for all fan shrimp.

Hobby name for green fuzzy growth under shrimp. Often not a true fungus, but likely parasitic or algae-like.

Green Neocaridina selection with variable coverage. Regular selection is needed to keep the green color stable.

Separate tank for young shrimp or selective breeding.

Large sponge filter covering a side wall or corner. Provides lots of bacterial surface area and gentle flow for shrimp tanks.

Filter that hangs on the aquarium rim. Use a prefilter sponge to protect young shrimp from being sucked in.

Non-living layout materials such as rocks, wood and decoration. Hardscape determines hiding places, flow and grazing surfaces.

Sulawesi species with a striking pattern.

Device that warms water to a set temperature.

Digestive organ combining liver- and pancreas-like functions. It processes nutrients and sits in the head-thorax section.

Having two different alleles at a particular genomic locus. This does not automatically determine what colour or other appearance an animal will have.

Mosses, wood, stones and tubes where shrimp hide. Especially important after molting and for young animals.

Having two identical alleles at a particular genomic locus. This describes that locus, not fixation of every trait throughout a breeding line.

Small freshwater polyp with stinging tentacles that captures small aquatic animals. Finding hydra does not by itself establish the cause of shrimp deaths.

Reduced reproductive performance or survival associated with inbreeding. A small brood or deaths alone do not establish it; compare ancestry, conditions and multiple generations.

Substrate that barely changes water values, such as sand or gravel.

Aquarium fern that can be attached to wood or rock. Keep the rhizome above the substrate; roots may attach to it.

Hardy aquarium moss that holds a lot of biofilm.

Hobby measure of acid-neutralising capacity, often largely from bicarbonate and carbonate. Low KH is not automatically wrong: some Bee systems use other buffering.

Animal protein ingredient in shrimp food.

Developmental stage before the juvenile form, for example in Amano shrimp. Whether larvae require saline water depends on the species.

Porous rock with lots of surface area for bacteria and biofilm.

A layer of dried leaves on the substrate.

Energy-efficient aquarium lighting for plants, algae and the day-night rhythm. Too much light can trigger algae blooms.

Abnormal sluggishness where shrimp graze little or respond poorly.

Switches lighting according to a set schedule. Its effect on plants and algae also depends on intensity, plant requirements and other conditions.

Floating plant with long roots where young shrimp like to hide. Grows quickly with enough light and nutrients.

Breeding within a related line to retain traits. Colour selection does not prevent inbreeding depression; record ancestry and reproductive outcomes.

Hobby term for the ancestry or consistency of a breeding line. It is not a DNA test or a guarantee of uniform offspring colour, health or ancestry.

Liquid-reagent kit for parameters such as GH, KH, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. Check its range, expiry and instructions.

Mineral element that, with calcium, accounts for most water hardness. GH alone does not reveal the separate magnesium concentration.

Heavy aquarium wood that can release tannins.

Active swimming by males after a female molts. They search for pheromones from a receptive female.

Mouthparts that hold food and move it toward the mouth.

Hobby term for shrimp that turn white and cloudy.

Stone or block with slowly dissolving minerals.

Hobby term for offspring of a cross involving Taiwan Bee ancestry. A trade label or appearance does not establish which alleles an individual carries.

Process in which a shrimp sheds the old exoskeleton. Molting is needed for growth, recovery and reproduction.

Difficulty or failure shedding the exoskeleton. The observation does not identify a cause; assess water measurements, recent changes, diet and other signs.

Nutritious leaf food from the moringa tree.

Recognizable color or pattern form within a species.

Popular leaf food that softens quickly.

Fine organic sediment made of plant remains, bacteria and waste.

Death of muscle tissue. A white or milky appearance may prompt investigation but does not confirm muscle necrosis or its cause.

Change in the DNA sequence. A mutation may be neutral, harmful or beneficial; selecting an attractive appearance does not prove a health benefit.

Hardy freshwater shrimp and base species behind Cherry, Blue Dream, Yellow Fire and many Rili varieties.

Dried or blanched leaf food with minerals and fiber. Shrimp readily eat it once it softens.

Nitrogen compound produced from nitrite during nitrification. Track its concentration and trend without treating one value as a universal safety limit or diagnosis.

Stress associated with prolonged elevated nitrate exposure. This does not establish a universal threshold or diagnosis for all dwarf shrimp.

Nitrogen compound formed during nitrification that can harm animals. Use an appropriate test and investigate a detectable rise; sensitivity varies with species and conditions.

Harm from nitrite exposure. Lethargy or death alone does not establish the cause; measure nitrite and assess oxygen, ammonia and recent changes.

Slowly decomposing oak leaf that can support biofilm. It is supplemental material, not an established complete or unlimited diet.

Slowly decomposing leaves that provide hiding places and biofilm. Use only when clean, dry and pesticide-free.

Orange Neocaridina variety with strong color coverage.

Introducing unrelated animals into a breeding line.

Organs where eggs mature. In many dwarf shrimp, mature ovaries are visible as a saddle.

Adding more food than the aquarium can process. Leftovers can increase oxygen demand and waste loading; overfeeding does not itself introduce planarians.

Too many shrimp in one aquarium.

How much dissolved oxygen is available for shrimp and bacteria. Warm water, overstocking and bacterial blooms can cause oxygen shortage.

Too little dissolved oxygen due to heat, bacterial blooms or poor flow.

Walking legs under the thorax. Shrimp use them to walk, collect food and graze surfaces.

Measure of water acidity. Assess both the range appropriate to the species and changes over time; pH alone does not describe overall water quality.

A sudden substantial pH drop. Depleted buffering or changes in water and materials may contribute; measure rather than relying on animal behaviour alone.

Electronic meter for acidity. It must be calibrated regularly to give reliable pH readings.

Hobby term for stress associated with rapid pH change. Measure and compare the water; signs of stress alone do not establish a pH-related cause.

Visible traits of a shrimp, such as color, pattern and body shape. Phenotype results from genes and environment.

Nutrient for plants and algae.

Caridina pattern with strong white or dark markings, often zebra, spotted head or cloud-like shapes.

Caridina variety with high-contrast patterns, often stripes, spots or zebra-like markings. Pinto lines require targeted selection.

Free-living flatworm; some species have a recognisable triangular head and eat small animals. Overfeeding may support worms already present but does not introduce them by itself.

Swimmerets under the abdomen. Females use them to fan oxygen-rich water over their eggs.

Pollen grains used as a fine supplemental food.

Color determined by multiple genes working together.

Vulnerable phase immediately after molting. The new exoskeleton is soft and the shrimp often hides.

Very fine powdered food that drifts through the tank.

Sponge over a filter intake that traps debris and can help keep young shrimp out. Fit, pore size and clogging determine how well it works in that setup.

Phase just before molting. The shrimp may eat less and already forms a new exoskeleton under the old shell.

Regulates pressure from a CO2 cylinder to a usable output.

Food with a relatively high protein content. Assess the overall diet and feeding load; animal protein alone does not establish that a food is harmful.

Hobby label for a breeding line presented as consistent. Ask about ancestry and offspring; the label does not guarantee genetic uniformity or a fixed outcome from every cross.

Separate observation period for new shrimp, plants or decoration. Quarantine reduces the risk of parasites, disease and unwanted hitchhikers.

Gene variant that usually becomes visible only when two copies are present. Recessive traits can stay hidden for generations.

Red breeding form of Neocaridina davidi. Suitability for a beginner also depends on appropriate water, a functioning aquarium and careful maintenance.

Neocaridina with a red head and tail and a transparent middle section. The Rili pattern makes selection important.

Red Taiwan Bee variety with white patterns.

Adding minerals to low-mineral water. Select the appropriate product and check resulting GH, KH and conductivity; different salts do not change every parameter in the same way.

Pattern where parts of the body remain transparent while the head and tail are colored.

Filter system that turns tap water into almost mineral-free water.

Water treated by reverse osmosis to remove many dissolved substances. Check the output and adjust mineralisation for the chosen shrimp; the process does not guarantee complete purity.

Extra pure water from reverse osmosis plus deionization resin. Used when tap water is too hard, polluted or unstable.

Beak-like projection at the front of the head. Shape and small teeth sometimes help identify species.

Hobby term for rust-colored spots or shell damage.

Developing eggs visible in a female’s ovaries. Colour and visibility vary; a saddle does not show that eggs have already been fertilised.

More deeply colored red Neocaridina selection than regular Cherry.

Genus of floating ferns with hairy floating leaves. The root-like submerged structures are modified leaves, not true roots.

Flatworm-like parasite often found on the head or gill cover. Eggs can remain attached to old molts.

Popular aquascaping stone that often raises KH and GH. Less suitable for soft-water Caridina without monitoring.

Choosing parent animals with desired traits. The goal is better color, pattern, shape or stability in future generations.

Making traits appear more often through parent selection.

Distribution of males and females in a group. There is no established universal ratio here that guarantees better breeding for every dwarf-shrimp species.

Recognizing males and females. Females are often larger, rounder and show a saddle when mature.

Compressed shrimp food in pellet form. Its label determines whether it is intended as a complete or supplementary food and lists its ingredients.

Newly hatched dwarf shrimp that look like miniature adults. They immediately graze on biofilm and fine food.

Light translucent Neocaridina with white eggs.

Food commonly made from pressed soybean hulls that disperse in water. This organic material can still load the aquarium; it is not guaranteed safe as unlimited holiday food.

Electric valve that shuts off CO2 automatically, often at night. Usually works together with a timer.

Even color coverage without transparent zones. Solid varieties need selection for coverage, intensity and evenness.

Branching aquarium wood that offers lots of surface area and hiding places.

Blanched leafy green with minerals and plant fiber. Use small portions to avoid water pollution.

Feed ingredient sold as spirulina, generally cultivated cyanobacteria. The nutritional value of a food depends on its complete composition.

Filter drawing water through a sponge, powered by air or a pump. A correctly fitted sponge can protect young shrimp at the intake; check gaps and clogging.

Pattern with clear spots on the head.

Balance organ that helps shrimp sense direction and movement.

Device that removes surface film from the water. Improves gas exchange, but must be made shrimp-safe.

Caridina breeding group with intense patterns such as King Kong, Panda, Wine Red and Blue Bolt. Usually more sensitive than Neocaridina.

Trade name for an orange striped Caridina. The name Tiger does not establish C. mariae identity or a fixed care recipe.

Total concentration of dissolved solids. A typical handheld meter estimates TDS from conductivity using a conversion factor and does not identify individual substances.

Handheld meter that typically estimates TDS from conductivity. It does not identify metals, pesticides or individual minerals and is not a general safety test.

Central tail plate between the uropods. Together they form the tail fan for fast escapes.

Hobby term for stress associated with a sudden temperature change. Behaviour or deaths alone do not establish this cause; measure tank and replacement water.

A temperature pattern without undesirable rapid changes, within a range appropriate to the species. A stable but unsuitable temperature remains unsuitable.

Measures the current water temperature. A separate thermometer checks whether the heater and thermostat are reliable.

Controller that switches a heater according to a temperature measurement. Check with a separate thermometer; a thermostat can fail.

Offspring that reverts to older or wild-type traits.

Degree to which the body is see-through.

Filter plate under the substrate that pulls water through the bottom. Sometimes used with active soil in Caridina breeding.

Fan-like tail parts next to the telson. They help with rapid backward escape movements.

Bacterial infection caused by a Vibrio species. An agitated or discoloured shrimp is not a confirmed Vibrio diagnosis; identification requires appropriate investigation.

Bell-shaped protozoan that can appear as white fuzzy growth on shrimp.

Hobby term for a conspicuous pale ring near the junction of the cephalothorax and abdomen. A ring alone does not prove a fatal molt or calcium deficiency.

Natural, usually brown or transparent color form. Wild type often appears when color varieties cross uncontrolled.

Yellow Neocaridina davidi selection. Intensely yellow females sometimes show a clear dorsal stripe.

Vegetable sometimes offered as a small supplementary portion, often blanched. Remove leftovers when uneaten or disintegrating.