Caridina profile
Ghost shrimp
Palaemonetes/Palaemon sp.
Ghost shrimp are common in shops as transparent shrimp, glass shrimp or feeder shrimp. The label can cover different species, so reliable source and observation matter more than the name alone.
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Quick verdict
Suitable for: Keepers who can verify source and want transparent shrimp. Watch especially: adjust KH, GH and TDS slowly.
Quick care card
Use this card as a starting point. Always check whether your aquarium is stable enough for sensitive species.
Temperature
20 - 26 °C
pH
6.8 - 8
GH
5 - 15 °dH
KH
2 - 10 °dH
TDS
150 - 350 ppm
Aquarium
From 40 liters
Difficulty
Intermediate
Behavior
Transparent active shrimp with strong trade-name confusion
Feeding
Biofilm, algae, leftovers, fine sinking food and modest animal protein
Breeding
Species-dependent and usually less predictable than Neocaridina
Best match
Keepers who can verify source and want transparent shrimp
Important
Do not add unknown transparent shrimp to valuable breeding colonies. Some whisker or Macrobrachium-like shrimp are more territorial and can bother small fish or shrimp.
Care in practice
These are the points that most often make the difference between survival and a stable colony.
Practical range for common aquarium ghost shrimp: 20-26 degrees Celsius, pH 6.8-8.0, GH 5-15, KH 2-10 and TDS around 150-350 ppm.
Use at least 40 liters with plants, moss, leaves, wood and a shrimp-safe filter. Quarantine is strongly recommended.
Feed lightly with sinking foods and natural grazing. Watch whether animals steal food or harass tank mates.
Behavior depends on the true species. Long arms, large claws or hunting behavior are warning signs.
Combine only with calm fish, snails and robust shrimp when identity is clear. Predatory fish see ghost shrimp as food.
Breeding varies by species and can involve larvae or delicate young, so do not expect Neocaridina-like colony growth.
Common mistakes are buying feeder shrimp without quarantine, trusting every transparent shrimp label, missing predatory forms and expecting easy breeding.
Background and identification
Extra context helps you identify, compare and keep the species safely.
Ghost shrimp is mainly a trade name. Palaemonetes/Palaemon-type shrimp are often meant, but imported animals can differ.
Transparent body with visible organs. Large claws or long arms may indicate a different and less suitable shrimp.
Less reliable as algae workers than Amano and much less color-focused than Neocaridina.
Full species profile
Ghost shrimp is a trade name for transparent freshwater shrimp, not always one exact species. That makes it useful for beginners but also risky when the source is unclear.
Frequently asked questions
Short answers to common questions about Ghost shrimp.
Sources and review
Last reviewed: June 16, 2026. Different values are used in the hobby; choose stability over chasing numbers.
Sources for accepted names, classification and synonyms.
Sources for water values, temperature and stable care.
Practical sources for setup, feeding, behavior and breeding.