Malaya Shrimp

Scientific Name: Caridina sp. “Malaya”

Other Scientific Names: N/A

Common Name: Malaya Shrimp

Other Common Names: N/A

Origin: South Eastern Asia

Found in the wild: Yes

Malaya Shrimp History

The Malaya Shrimp is a South East Asia native that is fairly new to the North American Dwarf Shrimp hobby. Entering the hobby early in the 2000’s this shrimp is slowly becoming more popular because of its great color verity. The Malaya shrimp ranges from clear to red to black and everything in between.

Malaya Shrimp Care

Malaya Shrimp are fairly easy to care for. As long as their water conditions are stable and they have a fairly consistent diet the Malaya Shrimp will grow and thrive. Having no special requirements, when compared to other Dwarf Shrimp, ads to this shrimps growing popularity.

Malaya Shrimp Diet

Malaya Shrimp are omnivores and share the same diet that most Dwarf Shrimp enjoy. Algae eaters by nature, the Malaya Shrimp will eat naturally occurring algae in the home aquarium. While the Malaya is a natural algae eater, they are also voracious eaters of any other type of food that enters the aquarium.

Malaya Shrimp Breeding

Malaya Shrimp are a low order shrimp, meaning their eggs hatch into a larval form, not fully formed baby shrimp. Luckily the Malaya Shrimp larva do not require salt water to develop into adults, all they require is stable water conditions, a stable source of micro food and they need an aquarium devoid of predators. If all these conditions are met, larval Malay Shrimp will metamorphosis into adult form in a little less than a week.

Malaya Shrimp Behavior

Malaya Shrimp are non-aggressive, and are quite active. In an aquarium that has no predators Malaya Shrimp will often be observed searching for food on the gravel, on plants, on decorations, and even on filters. They will also display many colors based on their surrounding and conditions!

Special Notes

As with all aquatic invertebrates it is important to make sure copper does not get into the aquarium. Copper is toxic to all Dwarf Shrimp. Many medications contain elevated levels of copper, so it is recommended not to medicate an aquarium with Dwarf Shrimp in it.