Sulawesi profile
Sulawesi Harlequin shrimp
Caridina woltereckae
Sulawesi Harlequin shrimp are specialist Caridina woltereckae that need warm, alkaline, stable lake-style conditions and a mature biofilm-rich setup.
Quick verdict
Suitable for: Experienced Sulawesi shrimp keepers with a dedicated species tank. Watch especially: keep warm and alkaline.
Quick care card
Use this card as a starting point. Always check whether your aquarium is stable enough for sensitive species.
27 - 30 °C
7.8 - 8.5
5 - 8 °dH
3 - 5 °dH
80 - 180 ppm
From 60 liters
Expert
Peaceful but very sensitive Sulawesi shrimp
Biofilm, algae films, microorganisms and very small controlled food portions
Can breed in freshwater, but only under mature stable specialist care
Experienced Sulawesi shrimp keepers with a dedicated species tank
Important
This is not a casual shrimp. Use cautious stocking, no active soil, no cool soft-water setup and no immature aquarium.
Care in practice
These are the points that most often make the difference between survival and a stable colony.
Use warm alkaline water around 27-30 degrees Celsius, pH 7.8-8.5 and stable Sulawesi-style mineralized RO water. Keep oxygen high, waste low and water changes small and matched.
Use a dedicated mature rocky tank with inert substrate, protected filtration, no active soil and plenty of hardscape for biofilm. Long maturation is important before adding this species.
Rely mainly on biofilm and surface grazing. Add tiny amounts of fine shrimp food or algae-based food only when needed. Avoid overfeeding because water quality can deteriorate quickly.
Harlequin shrimp are peaceful and should be kept in a calm group without active fish. They need low stress and stable routines.
A species-only tank is safest. Do not combine with cool-water shrimp, soft-water Caridina, active substrate setups or fish that disturb grazing.
Breeding is freshwater with direct development, but it is best considered advanced. Young need constant biofilm, stable warm alkaline water and a safe filter intake.
Common mistakes are buying them before mastering Sulawesi water, using active soil, adding them to a young tank, keeping them too cool, feeding too much and combining them with unsuitable tank mates.
Background and identification
Extra context helps you identify, compare and keep the species safely.
Caridina woltereckae is a Sulawesi shrimp associated with warm alkaline lake habitats. Its care should follow specialist Sulawesi lake conditions rather than standard dwarf shrimp care.
Harlequin shrimp are valued for distinctive contrasting patterning. Exact appearance can vary, and stress can make colors less clear.
Compared with Cardinal shrimp, Harlequin shrimp are usually considered at least as specialist and often less forgiving. Compared with Neocaridina, their water needs are completely different.
Full species profile
The Sulawesi Harlequin shrimp, Caridina woltereckae, is a rare and demanding Sulawesi shrimp with a distinctive pattern. It should be treated as a specialist species for experienced keepers, not as a general community shrimp.
Water and setup
Use warm alkaline Sulawesi-style water: roughly 27-30 degrees Celsius, pH 7.8-8.5 and stable mineralized RO water. Do not use active soil. Use an old, mature rocky aquarium with oxygen-rich flow, inert substrate and abundant biofilm.
Feeding and breeding
Harlequin shrimp graze biofilm and fine surface growth. Feed tiny controlled amounts of fine algae-based or shrimp food only as support. They can breed in freshwater, but stability and mature biofilm are critical.
Frequently asked questions
Short answers to common questions about Sulawesi Harlequin shrimp.
Sources and review
Last reviewed: June 12, 2026. Different values are used in the hobby; choose stability over chasing numbers.
- Raffles Bulletin of Zoology: Systematic revision of Sulawesi Caridina
Taxonomische en ecologische bron voor Caridina woltereckae, inclusief Lake Towuti-verspreiding, rotsbewonend gedrag, kleurpatroon en eigegevens.
- IUCN Red List 2019: Caridina woltereckae
Conservatiebron met de naam Caridina woltereckae Cai, Wowor & Choy, 2009, Lake Towuti-endemisme en Critically Endangered-status.
- Nicky Bay: Sulawesi shrimps from Lake Poso and the Malili Lake System
Fotografische hobby- en referentiebron die Caridina woltereckae van Caridina spongicola onderscheidt op basis van von Rintelen en Cai.
- The Shrimp Farm: Sulawesi shrimp care guide
Praktijkbron voor Sulawesi-water: 82-86 F, pH 7.8-8.5, GH 6-8, KH 3-5, lage nutrieten, remineralized RO-water en stabiliteit.
- Practical Fishkeeping: The jewels of Sulawesi
Bron voor warme Sulawesi-meren, GH 4-8, KH 3-5, alkalische pH rond 8.5, lange rijping, algenfilm en druppelsgewijze waterwissels.
- AquariumBreeder: Sulawesi Harlequin Shrimp guide
Soortspecifieke praktijkbron voor Caridina woltereckae met temperatuur, pH, GH, KH, TDS, zuurstof, RO/DI-water en Sulawesi Mineral 8.5.
- The Shrimp Farm: Types of Sulawesi shrimp
Soortcontext voor Caridina woltereckae als Lake Towuti Harlequin, moeilijk zelfs voor Sulawesi, vergelijkbaar met andere biofilmgevoelige Towuti-rotsgrazers.
- The Shrimp Farm: Sulawesi shrimp care guide
Praktische informatie over inrichting, rijping, biofilm, voeding, tankgenoten, zuurstof, kleine waterwissels en veelgemaakte Sulawesi-fouten.
- Practical Fishkeeping: The jewels of Sulawesi
Ervaringsbron over transportgevoeligheid, lange rijping, 60 liter setup, schuw gedrag, Sulawesi Harlequin-formaat, poedervoer en druppelmethode.
- AquariumBreeder: Sulawesi Harlequin Shrimp guide
Aanvullende soortspecifieke bron over gedrag, voeding, rotsinrichting, acclimatie, kweek, tankgenoten en waarschuwingen tegen beginnersfouten.
- Sulawesi Keepers: 14 Critically Endangered species of Sulawesi shrimps
Conservatiebron die Caridina woltereckae, Harlequin, noemt als Lake Towuti-endemiet onder de Critically Endangered Sulawesi-garnalen.