Sumatran backstreak shrimp - Caridina cf. sumatrensis

The new Sumatra backstripe shrimp, also called blue backstripe shr imp, is scientifically named Caridina cf. sumatrensis. This dwarf shrimp is closely related to Caridina sumatrensis from Sumatra/Indonesia. Originally it was described as Caridina weberi and still belongs to the weberi form. The Sumatra backstreak shrimp is still very new in the hobby and is rarely imported - this makes it a wonderful aquaristic rarity!

The name "blue backstreak shrimp" does not do justice to the colorfulness of the Sumatran backstreak shrimp. In addition to purple animals, there are also orange-red, yellow, reddish-brown and completely blue shrimp in this species. A true rainbow in the aquarium! Many of the dwarf shrimp have a striking bright dorsal stripe. Female Sumatran backstroke shrimp can reach up to 5 cm in body length - quite large for an aquarium dwarf shrimp. Males grow to about 4 cm in length. Females also have a slightly thicker abdomen than the slimmer males.

Caridina cf. sumatrensis belongs to the partially shortened reproductive type - larvae hatch from their eggs floating in the water, but they do not have to enter brackish water, but grow up in the freshwater aquarium. Unfortunately nothing is known about breeding in the aquarium yet, but it should be theoretically possible.

In nature the Sumatran backstreak shrimp lives in biotopes with a slightly acidic to neutral pH-value around 6,5 to 7,5 and in rather soft to quite hard water. The water temperature should be about 20-26 °C. So in principle they can be kept in a setup for bee shrimp and also in a setup for Neocaridina, but with slightly warmer water.

The aquarium is set up with active Soil or with a neutral aquarium bottom like shrimp gravel . Dark colors contribute to a better coloration of the Sumatra backstroke shrimp. Roots and rocks are enthusiastically grazed. The size of the dwarf shrimp makes them unsuitable for nano aquariums - an edge length of 60 cm or more is perfect.

The Sumatra backstreak shrimp is an omnivore, growth eater and remnant recycler  and is therefore not particularly picky about food. Algae growth, brown foliage and biofilms in the aquarium are readily grazed and eaten, but a good staple food such as our NatureHolic Mainfeed is also a useful addition to their daily menu. Twice a week, Sumatran backstroke shrimp should be fed a high-quality protein food for shrimp, such as our NatureHolic Proteinfeed.

Although their sheer size allows the Sumatran Backstrap Shrimp to be kept in a community aquarium with peaceful fish with comparable water quality requirements, and also with other dwarf shrimp - it is then not possible to breed them. The planktonic larvae are inevitably eaten by the fish. For the breeding of this aquaristic highly interesting, very rarely available dwarf shrimp from Sumatra a species tank with proper mulm at the bottom and nevertheless clean, low-germ water is required. The larvae eat finest suspended particles and soon also the microorganisms from the mulm.

The rainbow-colored Sumatra backstreak shrimp is a peaceful shrimp, which as a group animal needs the company of several conspecifics . Only then it feels really comfortable and safe. We recommend a group size of 10 to 15 Sumatra Backstrip Shrimp as a starting stock and an aquarium from 54 l volume upwards.

Our food recommendation: NatureHolic's soft mainfeed softpads are designed for daily feeding. They contain all the nutrients shrimp need for shell development, egg formation and growth. During the production we pay attention to a gentle and environmentally friendly production, which preserves the vitamins and other valuable ingredients as much as possible.

Our plant recommendation: Use for planting NatureHolic InVitros. These are free of snails, planaria and other unwanted co-inhabitants. Also free of algae spores, bacteria and fungi.

Expert Tip: We recommend for fish keeping the NatureHolic 3 Phase Liquid. The care set offers the best all-round protection for your animals. It ensures optimal conditions for successful breeding and keeping.