Red Malaya Shrimp

Common Name:

• Red Malaya Shrimp
• Malaya Shrimp (Red Morph)
• Red Babaulti Shrimp

Species Profile

• Scientific Name: Caridina babaulti (Malaya variety)
• Origin: India & Southeast Asia (selectively bred aquarium line)
• Size: 2–3 cm
• Lifespan: 1.5–2.5 years
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Difficulty Level: Easy to moderate

Appearance

Red Malaya Shrimp are known for:

• Deep red to orange-red coloration
• Semi-transparent body in lower grades
• Slight color variation depending on diet and water
• Slender Caridina body shape

Color intensity can change depending on stress, diet, and tank conditions.

Tank Requirements

They prefer:

• Stable, mature tanks
• Lots of biofilm surfaces
• Low nitrate levels

Behavior

• Peaceful bottom grazers
• Always foraging on plants and glass
• Best kept in groups of 10+
• More active in planted aquariums

Diet & Nutrition

Omnivorous scavengers:

• Algae and biofilm
• Shrimp pellets
• Blanched vegetables
• Leaf litter (catappa leaves)
• Occasional protein foods

Good nutrition improves red coloration significantly.

Tank Mates

Safe companions:

• Small peaceful fish (nano rasboras, ember tetras)
• Snails
• Other non-aggressive shrimp

Avoid:

• Cichlids
• Large predatory fish
• Any fish that hunts shrimp

Breeding

• Moderate difficulty compared to Neocaridina
• Females carry eggs under abdomen
• Requires stable water parameters
• Juveniles are fully formed shrimp (no larval stage)

Breeding success improves in heavily planted tanks.

Special Notes

• Often confused with red Neocaridina, but Caridina babaulti is more delicate
• Color can fade under stress or poor diet
• Loves moss tanks and natural aquascapes
• Sensitive to sudden water changes