Top 10 Caridina Shrimp Grades Roundup: CRS to Pinto

Caridina shrimp grade walks a far steeper price ladder than Neocaridina — entry-level CRS sit at SGD 8 while galaxy pintos clear SGD 200 each. The top 10 Caridina shrimp grades ranked here cover the standard CRS A-to-SSS scale, the Taiwan Bee colour line and the pinto patterns that emerged from CRS-Taiwan crosses. This roundup from Gensou Aquascaping at 5 Everton Park covers picks suited to RO-buffered active substrates at TDS 100-160. Each top 10 Caridina shrimp grades entry includes pricing tier, pattern stability and the shrimp keeper level the grade suits. Caridina demand far stricter water chemistry than Neocaridina cherry shrimp — RO water remineralised with shrimp-specific salt, GH 4-6, KH 0-1 and active substrate to buffer pH below 6.5 are mandatory baseline conditions. Most shrimp losses in Singapore Caridina tanks trace back to TDS drift during top-ups with untreated tap water. Caridina grades change naming conventions every few years as new patterns emerge from Taiwanese and European breeders, so verify grade definitions with your specific seller rather than relying on dated online guides. Acclimation matters more than initial grade — drip-acclimate new shrimp over four hours minimum, and quarantine new arrivals separately for two weeks before adding to an established colony.

1. Low-Grade CRS (Caridina cantonensis A-grade)

The entry-level crystal red — irregular red-and-white banding with broken patterns. Adults reach 2.5cm. Carousell breeders list A-grade CRS at SGD 8-15 each. The starter Caridina before stepping up to SS or SSS. Active substrate from the aquascaping substrate range is mandatory to buffer pH down to 5.8-6.5.

2. S-Grade CRS (Caridina cantonensis S)

Three or more clean white bands with solid red saturation between. SGD 12-25 from local breeders. The first commercially desirable grade where colour holds through three generations. Most C328 and Iwarna shop stock falls in S to SS range.

3. SS-Grade CRS (Caridina cantonensis SS)

Mosura pattern emerging — additional white facial markings. SGD 25-50 each. Specialist Carousell breeders dominate this grade. Pair with chilled water if room temperature exceeds 27°C; SS-grade lines weaken above 26°C.

4. SSS-Grade CRS (Caridina cantonensis SSS)

Hino, mosura, V-band and ruby-eye patterns. SGD 50-150 each depending on pattern type. Demanding water chemistry and stable parameters required — TDS swings of more than 20 points trigger molt failures. Specialist hobbyists only.

5. Mosura CRS (Caridina cantonensis mosura)

Solid white head with one or more red bands across the rear half. The cleanest visual pattern in the CRS line. Specialist breeders list mosura adults at SGD 60-200 each. Throws lower-grade CRS at roughly 70% across spawns — line-breeding maintains the pattern.

6. Hino CRS (Caridina cantonensis hino)

Single solid red mid-body band on otherwise white shrimp. The spotlight pattern. SGD 80-250 from European-bred imports through specialist Singapore stockists. Heavily inbred line; outcross with mosura every 4 generations to maintain vigour.

7. Taiwan Bee Black King Kong (Caridina Taiwan Bee BKK)

Solid black body with white panda-like markings. Adults reach 2.5cm. SGD 30-80 each from Carousell specialists. Genetic line bred from CRS mutations isolated by Taiwanese breeders. Demands the same blackwater specialist setup as SSS CRS.

8. Blue Bolt (Caridina Taiwan Bee blue)

Iridescent powder-blue body — the Taiwan Bee colour morph that exploded in popularity around 2018. SGD 25-60 each. Pair with ANS Catappa Leaves Small to drop pH naturally and deepen the blue saturation against tannin-stained water.

9. Panda Pinto (Caridina Pinto)

Black-and-white panda pattern with extended white facial markings — the entry pinto grade. SGD 40-100 each. Pinto lines emerged from Taiwan Bee × CRS crosses with specific marking selection. Patterns include zebra, fancy, spotted-head and tiger.

10. Galaxy Pinto (Caridina Galaxy Pinto)

The collector grade — black body covered in star-like white speckles. SGD 100-300 each from European imports through Iwarna and specialist Carousell breeders. Provide pristine ammonia-free conditions with a QANVEE Bio Sponge Filter at moderate flow. The connoisseur’s endgame in Caridina keeping.

Related Reading

• Crystal Red Shrimp Care Guide
• Taiwan Bee Shrimp Care Guide
• Pinto Shrimp Care Guide
• Caridina Shrimp Water Parameters
• Active Substrate Shrimp Tank