Freshwater shrimp in a lush planted aquascape

Freshwater Shrimp for Sale in South Africa

Shop colourful freshwater shrimp for planted, nano and peaceful community aquariums, with care guidance and current stock from Glass & Gill.

 Shop Freshwater Shrimp

Shop Freshwater Shrimp

Browse freshwater shrimp for planted and nano aquariums, including colourful ornamental shrimp and specialist filter-feeding varieties.
Red Shrimp
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Red Shrimp

Red Shrimp
R 65.00 ZAR R 80.00 ZAR
Rock/Mountain Shrimp
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Rock/Mountain Shrimp

Rock/Mountain Shrimp
R 220.00 ZAR R 250.00 ZAR
Blue Shrimp
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Blue Shrimp

Blue Shrimp
R 65.00 ZAR R 80.00 ZAR
Black Shrimp
Sold out

Black Shrimp

Black Shrimp
R 65.00 ZAR R 80.00 ZAR
Rili Red Shrimp
Sold out

Rili Red Shrimp

Rili Red Shrimp
R 70.00 ZAR R 85.00 ZAR
Amano Shrimp
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Amano Shrimp

Amano Shrimp
R 120.00 ZAR R 150.00 ZAR
Planted freshwater aquascape with driftwood

Why Shrimp Work So Well in Planted Aquariums

Freshwater shrimp add colour, movement and natural grazing behaviour to planted aquariums. Many ornamental shrimp feed on biofilm, algae and fine organic matter, while their small size and low bioload make them especially useful in mature nano and aquascaped tanks.

Buying Freshwater Shrimp Across South Africa

Glass & Gill ships livestock throughout South Africa using trusted courier partners. Shrimp are inspected before dispatch, carefully packed to reduce transit stress and sent on designated livestock shipping days. Have a mature, stable aquarium ready before delivery.

Live Arrival Protection for Freshwater Shrimp

If livestock arrives deceased, our Live Arrival Guarantee allows a claim within 2 hours of delivery. Submit clear photographs of the unopened bag and livestock together with your order details. Approved claims may qualify for replacement or store credit under our policy.

Freshwater Shrimp Types at Glass & Gill

Blue velvet Neocaridina colour shrimp

Red · Blue · Black

Neocaridina Colour Shrimp

Neocaridina colour shrimp bring vivid contrast and constant grazing activity to planted and nano aquariums. Our red, blue and black varieties suit stable freshwater setups with plants, mosses and plenty of surfaces for biofilm, with individual colour intensity and markings naturally varying between shrimp.
Shop Neocaridina Shrimp
Rili-pattern Neocaridina shrimp on an aquarium plant

Neocaridina colour variety

Red Rili Shrimp

Red Rili Shrimp are selectively bred Neocaridina recognised by bright red markings and clear or translucent body sections. They are peaceful, active grazers that suit planted aquariums and can breed readily when water conditions remain stable.
View Red Rili Shrimp
Amano shrimp in a planted freshwater aquarium

Algae-grazing favourite

Amano Shrimp

Amano Shrimp are larger, understated freshwater shrimp valued for active grazing and algae control in planted aquariums. Unlike many ornamental colour shrimp, Amano larvae require brackish water to develop, so they do not normally establish self-sustaining colonies in a standard freshwater tank.
View Amano Shrimp
Rock or Mountain filter-feeding shrimp

Specialist filter feeder

Rock / Mountain Shrimp

Rock or Mountain Shrimp are peaceful filter feeders that use fan-like appendages to capture tiny suspended food particles from flowing water. They are larger than typical ornamental shrimp and are best suited to mature aquariums with reliable current, elevated perches and appropriate fine foods.
View Rock / Mountain Shrimp

Still deciding? Find the shrimp that suits your aquarium

Use these quick differences as a final shortcut after comparing the shrimp types above.

Colour & colonies Neocaridina Colour Shrimp Red, blue and black Neocaridina for planted and nano aquariums. Distinctive pattern Red Rili Red and translucent patterning with colony potential in stable tanks. Algae grazing Amano Shrimp Larger hardworking grazers for planted aquariums; larvae need brackish water. Filter feeding Rock / Mountain A larger specialist shrimp for mature tanks with current and suspended foods.

Freshwater Shrimp Care Essentials

Freshwater shrimp reward stability more than constant adjustment. A mature aquarium, suitable water chemistry, gentle handling and enough food and cover are the foundations of a healthy shrimp setup.

Tank maturity

Shrimp do best in established, biologically stable aquariums with biofilm and plenty of grazing surfaces.

Temperature

Match the species you keep. Many colour shrimp suit roughly 20–26°C, while Rock or Mountain Shrimp are kept warmer.

Water parameters

Stability matters. Understand pH, GH, KH and TDS rather than chasing one universal number for every shrimp type.

Feeding

Offer a varied diet alongside natural biofilm and algae. Rock or Mountain Shrimp also need fine suspended foods for filter feeding.

Tankmates

Choose small, peaceful tankmates and remember that even peaceful fish may eat tiny shrimplets.

Cover & plants

Mosses, plants, driftwood and textured hardscape provide grazing area, shelter and safer spaces for young shrimp.

For deeper information on shrimp setup, feeding, water parameters, tankmates and troubleshooting, explore our complete freshwater shrimp care guides.

Read Shrimp Care Guides

Freshwater Shrimp Care Guides

Freshwater shrimp algae eating guide

Do Shrimp Really Eat Algae?

|Ashley Flores
Learn which algae Amano and Cherry Shrimp eat, including hair algae and black beard algae, and when a clean-up crew will not solve the underlying problem.

Freshwater Shrimp Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to common questions aquarists ask before buying and keeping freshwater shrimp.
How big should a freshwater shrimp tank be?

Small ornamental colour shrimp can be kept in compact aquariums when conditions are stable; our colour shrimp care information uses around 20L+ as a practical starting point. Amano Shrimp are better suited to larger setups, while Rock or Mountain Shrimp require substantially more space and flow.
Do freshwater shrimp eat algae?

Many freshwater shrimp graze on algae and biofilm, and Amano Shrimp are especially valued for algae control. Shrimp should still receive appropriate food and should not be treated as a complete substitute for aquarium maintenance.
What do freshwater shrimp eat?

Most ornamental shrimp graze on biofilm, algae and fine organic matter and can be supplemented with quality shrimp foods and suitable vegetables. Rock or Mountain Shrimp are different because they filter tiny suspended food particles from flowing water.
Can freshwater shrimp live with fish?

Yes, with carefully chosen peaceful fish. Compatibility depends on fish size and behaviour, and even peaceful fish may eat very small shrimplets, so planted cover and hiding spaces are important.
Do freshwater shrimp need a planted tank?

Plants are not an absolute requirement, but planted aquariums provide grazing surfaces, cover and microhabitats that suit shrimp particularly well. Mosses, driftwood and other textured surfaces are especially useful.
Do freshwater shrimp breed in freshwater?

Many ornamental colour shrimp and Red Rili can breed readily in stable freshwater aquariums. Amano Shrimp are different: their larvae require brackish water to develop, so they do not normally reproduce successfully in a standard freshwater tank.
What are GH, KH and TDS for shrimp?

GH, KH and TDS are useful ways of understanding mineral content, buffering and dissolved solids in shrimp aquariums. Different shrimp have different requirements, so stability and species-appropriate ranges matter more than using one universal target.
Why are my shrimp dying?

Shrimp can react badly to unstable or unsuitable water conditions, abrupt changes, poor acclimation and other environmental stressors. Check water quality and recent changes first, then use our shrimp troubleshooting and water-parameter guides to narrow down the cause.
What is the difference between Amano Shrimp and colour shrimp?

Amano Shrimp are larger, naturally patterned shrimp known for strong grazing behaviour and they do not normally breed in freshwater. Colour shrimp are selected for bright colours and patterns and many will form colonies in stable freshwater aquariums.
What is a Rock or Mountain Shrimp?

Rock or Mountain Shrimp are peaceful filter-feeding shrimp. Instead of grazing in the same way as small ornamental shrimp, they use fan-like appendages to collect tiny food particles from flowing water and need suitable current and suspended foods.

Buying and Keeping Freshwater Shrimp in South Africa

Choosing freshwater shrimp starts with matching the shrimp to a mature aquarium, stable water chemistry and suitable tankmates. Colour shrimp are popular for planted and nano aquariums, Amano Shrimp are valued as active grazers, and Rock or Mountain Shrimp need a different setup with stronger flow and fine suspended foods.

Glass & Gill offers a changing selection of freshwater shrimp for South African aquarists, supported by practical care information. Explore our freshwater shrimp care guides, aquatic plants, water care and filtration options to build a stable shrimp aquarium.

Water Care

Stable water chemistry matters enormously for freshwater shrimp. Use reliable conditioners and testing routines to avoid sudden changes.
OceanSix Shrimp Minerals aquarium water treatment
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OceanSix Shrimp Minerals

OceanSix Shrimp Minerals
R 129.00 ZAR R 150.00 ZAR
Planted freshwater aquascape with driftwood

Aquatic Plants

Plants, mosses and textured surfaces create grazing area, cover and microhabitats that suit ornamental shrimp and shrimplets.

 Shop Aquatic Plants
Planted freshwater aquarium with filtration

Filtration

Reliable filtration supports stable water quality. Choose shrimp-safe intake protection and flow appropriate to the species you keep.

 Shop Filtration
Freshwater shrimp among aquatic plants

Shrimp Tankmates

Choose peaceful tankmates carefully and provide plenty of cover, especially if you want young shrimp to survive in a community aquarium.

 Read Tankmate Guide

Filtration

Support clean, stable shrimp aquariums with reliable filtration and suitable flow for the shrimp you keep.
Sobo WP - 1000F internal aquarium filter
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Sobo WP - 1000F

Sobo WP - 1000F
R 229.00 ZAR R 299.00 ZAR