Caridina gracilirostris

Caridina gracilirostris, a brackish-water shrimp from the family Atyidae and genus Caridina, lives across a wide native range that stretches from Japan and Fiji, through Indonesia, all the way to Madagascar. It feeds on algae and inhabits mangroves and marshes. Common names include red front shrimp, red rhinoceros shrimp, red nosed phantom shrimp, needlenose caridina, and red nosed shrimp.

The shrimp’s body is nearly see-through, but its head features a long, red rostrum—the source of most of its common names, such as rhino shrimp and mosquito shrimp. On the underside of the rostrum are clusters of small, tight spikes, while the top side bears larger, more spaced-out spikes. If the rostrum breaks off, it can grow back.

Males display red lines running along the sides of their bodies; females are less colorful and more transparent. Both sexes have a noticeable hump on the abdomen. Adults reach 3.5 to 4 centimeters (1.4 to 1.6 inches) in length.

This shrimp is peaceful and gets along with most other shrimp of similar size. Its swimming has been described as entertaining.

Breeding is challenging because mating only occurs in brackish water. The species prefers water temperatures between 20 and 28 °C (68 to 82 °F) and a pH of 6.5 to 7.5. Females often carry hundreds of green eggs beneath their bodies, and the larvae require brackish water to develop.

In captivity, these shrimp are popular in aquariums, kept as pets in freshwater tanks due to their unusual red rostrum, their good interactions with similarly sized shrimp, and their algae-eating habits. While they prefer brackish conditions, they can manage in clear freshwater aquariums if given enough food and vegetation.