Orange, Sunkist Shrimp
Caridina cf. propinqua

Origin
The original habitat and definite species of the Orange shrimp has yet been established. All we know is, it is very similar to the shrimps of Cardina Propinqua family commonly found in swampy mangroves of Sulawesi, Indonesia.

Characteristic
It is easily recognized by its bright orange body with distorted red patches. Do not be mistaken it for Tiger shrimp, it has a leaner and longer body shape as compared to Tiger shrimp. If you look closely, it bears some resemblance to Ghost shrimp; with tilted head portion, lower back/tail portion and longer feeding legs.

In the Aquarium
Most hobbyists are attracted by its bright orange color which stands out and adds attractiveness in a planted tank against the greens and usually dull gravel. Orange shrimp is non-aggressive and adaptive, hence it can be housed with almost all other freshwater shrimps - like Crystal Red shrimp, Tiger shrimp, Snowball shrimp, Blue Pearl shrimp and Cherry shrimp - without the consequences of cross breeding.

Food
Being a thoroughbred scavenger, the Orange shrimp feeds on literally anything; algae, mosses, pellets, blood worms, etc.

Water Conditions
As it originates from a swampy/coastal area, Orange shrimp can adapt to a wide range of water conditions, be it temperature or pH range. However we noticed that in captivity, some Orange shrimps tend to lose the vibrant color and turn grayish instead.

Breeding
Some hobbyists may be excited to spot one or two female Orange shrimps carrying eggs in their tanks. However, after a couple of days, the female starts to drop the eggs for no apparent reason. This is due to the fact that Orange shrimp belongs to low order breeding form, meaning the eggs are hatch into larvae in brackish water. The larvae will go through several stages before fully develop into shrimps. The complexity of creating this environment makes it difficult to breed by hobbyists at home.