Not furry either, still lovely.
Sulawesi Cardinal Shrimp
Caridina dennerli
Also called Cardinal shrimp, Sulawesi shrimp
From Lake Matano on the island of Sulawesi, Indonesia, where it lives only among rocks and boulders from the shallows down to about 10 m.12
A friendly guide, not veterinary advice. For anything about your pet's health, ask your vet.
At a glance the quick version
Up to about 2.5 cm; females grow larger than males.
Fishkeeping World gives about 2 years for Sulawesi shrimp in general, not this species specifically.
Looks how to spot one
Exoskeleton
A tiny dwarf shrimp with a deep red to purplish body sprinkled with bright white spots, one white dot on top of the tail section, and white tips on the small front claws. Females are a bit bigger with a deeper shell.21
Personality what they are like
A peaceful little shrimp that spends its time on and around stones, picking at surfaces. In the wild it slips under or between rocks when disturbed.21
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Low exercise needs; give plenty of rock surfaces to graze and hide among.2
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
A specialist for experienced shrimp keepers. It needs warm, very stable, very clean water close to its home lake, which is naturally poor in nutrients, so feed lightly and change water carefully.14
Home where they are happiest
A small, mature tank with lots of rocks. Lake Matano water is about 27-31 °C with pH around 7.4 per Wikipedia, while German Wikipedia gives 27-30 °C, pH above 8, GH about 7 and KH about 5. Conductivity in the lake sits around 200-300 µS/cm. Fishkeeping World suggests at least about 38 litres (10 US gallons) for Sulawesi shrimp.143
Food basics what goes in the bowl
Grazes fine detritus and biofilm in the wild. In a settled, mature aquarium it also picks at tiny organisms; supplement sparingly with small amounts of fine shrimp food.13
Company who they like around
Best kept in a group of its own kind; Fishkeeping World suggests at least five Sulawesi shrimp together. Very small, gentle tankmates only, or a species-only tank.3
The story where it all began
Scientists collected this shrimp in Lake Matano in 2003 and described it in 2009 as part of a study of the lake's own family of endemic shrimp. Dennerle, a German aquarium company that sponsored the expedition, gave its name to the species. It became a sought-after shrimp in the hobby thanks to its colours.24
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
Its home, Lake Matano, is the deepest lake in Indonesia at about 590 m and is thought to be 1-2 million years old.5
- 2
The species is named after Dennerle, a German aquarium company that supported the research expedition.2
- 3
When stressed, its red body can briefly take on a bluish tint.2
- 4
Its eggs are surprisingly large for such a small shrimp and are carried under the mother's tail.1
- 5
Lake Matano has a whole group of shrimp species found nowhere else, which evolved there from shared ancestors.5
Recognised by the official bits
- Original description (Raffles Bulletin of Zoology)
- Caridina dennerli von Rintelen & Cai, 2009, family Atyidae, named after the German company Dennerle, which supported the research.2
- IUCN Red List (via Wikipedia)
- Listed as Critically Endangered; aquarium populations are kept going through captive breeding.1
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Sulawesi Cardinal Shrimp. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- FeedingSmall amountsevery day
- Temperature checkevery day
- Water changeSmall, gentle water changesevery week
- Water testevery week
- Filter rinseRinse in old tank water, never tap waterevery month
Owner questions the things everyone asks
How often should I feed my Sulawesi Cardinal Shrimp?
Feed small amounts daily, as they graze on biofilm and fine detritus. Furry Diary's starting plan suggests feeding small amounts every day, but always watch that food is eaten within a few hours.13 Furry Diary plan
What does a Sulawesi Cardinal Shrimp eat, and what should it never eat?
In the wild they graze fine detritus and biofilm. In a mature tank they also pick at tiny organisms; supplement sparingly with fine shrimp food. Never give large or uneaten food that could spoil the water.13
How much space does a Sulawesi Cardinal Shrimp need?
A small, mature tank of at least about 38 litres (10 US gallons) is suggested for Sulawesi shrimp. Provide plenty of rock surfaces for grazing and hiding.32
What temperature, light or water does a Sulawesi Cardinal Shrimp need?
They need warm, very stable water: 27-31°C, pH around 7.4 to above 8, GH about 7, KH about 5, and conductivity 200-300 µS/cm. Use gentle light and keep water clean and stable.143
How often should I clean a Sulawesi Cardinal Shrimp's home?
Furry Diary's plan suggests small, gentle water changes weekly, test water weekly, and rinse the filter monthly in old tank water (never tap water). Always keep conditions very stable.14 Furry Diary plan
Can a Sulawesi Cardinal Shrimp live with others?
Yes, they are peaceful and best kept in a group of at least five of their own kind. Only add very small, gentle tankmates, or keep a species-only tank.3
How long does a Sulawesi Cardinal Shrimp live?
They typically live about 2 years with proper care.3
Can I handle a Sulawesi Cardinal Shrimp?
It's best not to handle them; they are tiny and delicate. In the wild they slip under rocks when disturbed, so let them stay in their safe, stable tank.21
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Furry Diary's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.
- Caridina dennerli - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for origin, size, water parameters, diet, eggs, IUCN status
- von Rintelen & Cai 2009, Raffles Bulletin of Zoology 57: 343-452 lkcnhm.nus.edu.sgused for original description: colour, habitat, etymology
- Sulawesi Shrimp - Fishkeeping World fishkeepingworld.comused for general Sulawesi shrimp lifespan, tank size, group size
- Caridina dennerli - Wikipedia (German) de.wikipedia.orgused for lake water chemistry, naming
- Lake Matano - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for lake depth and age
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Feeding times and frequency for your dog vcahospitals.comused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Dog grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Cat grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: People foods to avoid feeding your pets aspca.orgused for owner questions
- RSPCA: What to feed your rabbit rspca.org.ukused for owner questions
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.