Pure Red Line Shrimp K14

Description

Pure Red Line Shrimp K14

Pure Red Line (PRL) shrimp (K14 grade) are a premium variety of Caridina cantonensis, typically growing to 2-3 cm in length. Their most distinctive feature is their intense, solid red coloration that represents one of the highest achievements in selective breeding of red Caridina varieties. Unlike Crystal Red Shrimp, PRL shrimp display no white coloration, instead showing a pure, uniform red throughout their entire body.

The red coloration in high-grade specimens is particularly striking, ranging from a bright, vibrant scarlet to a deep, rich crimson. True Pure Red Line shrimp display consistent coloring throughout their entire body, including legs and antennae, with the highest grade specimens showing no transparent areas or variations in color intensity. The quality of PRL shrimp is often judged by the depth and uniformity of their red coloration, with premium specimens displaying an almost luminous quality under proper lighting.

Like other Caridina species, Pure Red Line shrimp possess a slightly curved rostrum, well-developed eyes on short stalks, and long, sensitive antennae. Their walking legs (pereopods) and swimming legs (pleopods) maintain the same intense red coloration as their body, contributing to their uniform appearance. The solid coloration extends even to areas that might be transparent in lower-grade varieties.

Sexual dimorphism is present, with males typically being smaller and sometimes showing slightly less intense coloration compared to females. Mature females develop a more rounded abdomen for carrying eggs, which are visible as reddish clusters through their exoskeleton. Females often display more intense coloration, particularly during breeding periods.

As a premium Caridina variety, Pure Red Line shrimp require precise water parameters. They thrive in very soft, acidic water (pH 5.8-6.4, GH 4-5, KH 0-1), temperatures between 20-24°C (68-75°F), and TDS between 80-150ppm. They need a specialized diet including high-quality shrimp foods, blanched vegetables, and biofilm, with particular attention paid to foods that help maintain their intense red coloration.

Taxonomy:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Malacostraca
Order: Decapoda
Family: Atyidae
Genus: Caridina
Species: C. cantonensis

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