About Tangerine Tiger Shrimp
Tangerine Tiger Shrimp are often recommended as the ideal 'gateway Caridina' for hobbyists transitioning from Neocaridina to more demanding species. Their beautiful orange tiger striping, combined with their relatively hardy nature and prolific breeding, make them perfect for keepers ready to try soft-water Caridina but not quite ready for sensitive Taiwan Bee varieties. Native to Southern China and Hong Kong, Tangerine Tigers (Caridina serrata) display vibrant orange coloration with darker orange to reddish tiger stripes. They have clear black eyes, distinguishing them from the famous Orange Eye Blue Tiger which has orange eyes and blue coloring. The tangerine coloration intensifies as the shrimp mature and when kept in optimal conditions. What makes Tangerine Tigers special among Caridina is their combination of beauty and accessibility. While they require the same soft, acidic water parameters as other Caridina species, they're notably more forgiving of minor fluctuations and breed more readily than Taiwan Bees or Crystal shrimp. Large clutches of 20-35 eggs and good shrimplet survival rates mean colonies can grow quickly, providing both visual enjoyment and valuable breeding experience.
Quick Facts
Water Parameters for Tangerine Tiger Shrimp
Maintaining stable water parameters is crucial for the health and coloration of Tangerine Tiger Shrimp. As a Caridina species, they require more specific water conditions and are less tolerant of parameter swings.
| Parameter | Range | Optimal |
|---|---|---|
| TDS | 100-150 ppm | 120-150 ppm |
| GH | 4-6 dGH | 4-5 dGH |
| KH | 0-2 dKH | 0-1 dKH |
| pH | 5.8-6.8 | 6-6.4 |
| Temperature | 68-75°F (20-24°C) | 70-73°F |
Tank Setup for Tangerine Tiger Shrimp
- Active buffering substrate is required for pH maintenance
- Plant heavily with mosses - provides biofilm and shrimplet cover
- Sponge filters are ideal for their prolific breeding
- Lighter substrates can highlight their orange coloring
- Include botanicals for biofilm development
Care Tips for Tangerine Tiger Shrimp
- RO water remineralized with Caridina GH+ provides optimal conditions
- Active buffering substrate maintains the acidic pH they prefer
- More forgiving than Taiwan Bees but still requires proper Caridina parameters
- Often called the 'beginner Caridina' for their hardiness among Caridina species
- Weekly water changes (10-15%) with properly matched water
- Avoid copper and contaminants as with all Caridina
- Can be kept in tanks that struggle with more sensitive Caridina varieties
Feeding Tangerine Tiger Shrimp
- Feed quality shrimp-specific foods
- Biofilm forms the dietary foundation as with all shrimp
- Color-enhancing foods with astaxanthin improve orange intensity
- Feed moderately - slightly more forgiving than sensitive species
- Mineral supplements support healthy molting
Breeding Tangerine Tiger Shrimp
- Prolific breeders with large clutches (20-35 eggs)
- Good shrimplet survival rates compared to other Caridina
- Will breed readily in proper conditions without special triggers
- Excellent species for learning Caridina breeding
- Colony growth can be rapid - plan for population management
Tangerine Tiger Shrimp Grading System
Tangerine Tiger Shrimp are commonly graded based on color intensity, coverage, and pattern quality. Higher grades typically command higher prices and are the result of selective breeding.
Standard Tangerine Tiger
Good orange coloring with visible tiger striping. May show some variation in color intensity.
Characteristics
- Visible orange coloring
- Tiger stripes present
- Good pattern
- May vary in intensity
High Grade Tangerine Tiger
Intense orange coloring with well-defined stripes. Excellent contrast between stripes and body.
Characteristics
- Intense orange color
- Well-defined stripes
- Excellent contrast
- Strong pattern clarity
Premium Tangerine Tiger
Maximum color saturation with perfect stripe definition. Show-quality specimens.
Characteristics
- Maximum color saturation
- Perfect stripes
- Show quality
- Breeding premium
Grades listed from lowest to highest quality
Common Problems with Tangerine Tiger Shrimp
- Population can grow quickly - may need culling or rehoming
- Color intensity varies - select best specimens for breeding
- Still requires Caridina parameters - not as hardy as Neocaridina
- May be confused with other orange tiger varieties
- Crossed with Taiwan Bees in hybrid programs - ensure pure stock if desired
Troubleshooting Tangerine Tiger Shrimp
Caridina are particularly sensitive to water quality issues and parameter swings. Here are common problems to watch for:
Failed Molt: Shrimp Stuck in Shell
Understanding failed molts where shrimp cannot escape their old exoskeleton. Learn why it happens, why affected shrimp cannot be saved, and how to prevent future molt failures.
Why Are My Shrimp Dying?
Comprehensive triage guide for unexplained shrimp deaths. Learn to identify the cause and take immediate action to save your remaining colony.
White Ring of Death in Shrimp
Understanding the dreaded white ring or white line that appears around a shrimp's body, signaling a fatal molting problem that cannot be reversed once visible.
Baby Shrimp (Shrimplets) Dying
Why newborn shrimp disappear or die when adult shrimp seem healthy. Covers filter intake, predation, starvation, and sensitivity issues specific to shrimplets.
Bacterial Infection in Shrimp
Identifying and treating bacterial infections in aquarium shrimp. Learn to recognize symptoms and understand why prevention through water quality is more effective than treatment.
Planaria in Shrimp Tank
Identifying and eliminating planaria flatworms that prey on shrimp, especially shrimplets. Learn safe treatment methods that won't harm your colony.
Tangerine Tiger Shrimp FAQ
They're considered the best 'beginner Caridina' - not beginner shrimp overall, but ideal for hobbyists transitioning from Neocaridina to Caridina. They're more forgiving and breed more readily than sensitive Taiwan Bee varieties while still requiring soft, acidic water.
Tangerine Tigers have orange bodies with tiger stripes and black eyes. Orange Eye Blue Tigers (OEBT) have blue bodies with orange eyes. They're different species with different appearances - the 'tiger' in both names just refers to their striped pattern.
Yes! Tangerine Tigers are prolific breeders among Caridina. They produce large clutches (20-35 eggs) with good survival rates. Colonies can grow quickly, making them excellent for learning Caridina breeding.
Standard Caridina parameters: TDS 100-150 ppm, GH 4-6, KH 0-2, pH 5.8-6.8, temperature 20-24C (68-75F). RO water remineralized with GH+ and active buffering substrate are required.
No, like all Caridina, Tangerine Tigers require soft, acidic water that tap water typically cannot provide. They need RO water remineralized specifically for Caridina. However, they're more forgiving of minor parameter imperfections than Taiwan Bees.
Feed color-enhancing foods containing astaxanthin, maintain optimal parameters, minimize stress, and select the most colorful specimens for breeding. Color intensifies naturally with age and good conditions.
Tangerine Tigers are a different species (Caridina serrata) from Taiwan Bees (Caridina cantonensis). However, they can be crossed with Tiger shrimp in hybrid breeding programs. Pure Tangerine Tigers are distinct from Taiwan Bee varieties.
Track Your Tangerine Tiger Shrimp Parameters
Stop guessing. Start tracking. ShrimpKeeper gives you species-specific parameter ranges, instant diagnostics, and historical graphs for your Tangerine Tiger Shrimp colony.