The Most Beautiful Shrimp in the World, Ranked

Choose the shrimp you think is the most beautiful!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on May 11, 2024 06:20
Many culinary enthusiasts and marine biologists alike share a fascination with the aesthetic diversity of shrimp. This unique interest has given rise to debates and discussions about which shrimp can be considered the most beautiful. Such a comparison not only satisfies human curiosity but also enriches our understanding of marine life and its vibrant variety. By participating in the ranking of the world's most beautiful shrimp, voters contribute to a broader appreciation of these creatures. This engagement helps create a dynamic and interactive environment where opinions from around the globe influence the standing of each species. The process not only informs but also entertains, providing a delightful insight into the otherwise hidden beauties of the ocean.

What Is the Most Beautiful Shrimp in the World?

  1. 1
    56
    votes
    This shrimp is known for its vibrant colors and intricate patterns, making it one of the most beautiful shrimp in the world.
    The Harlequin Shrimp is a small and colorful sea creature that belongs to the family of pistol shrimp. It is widely known for its striking appearance and unique feeding habits.
    • Size: Around 2 inches in length
    • Coloration: Vibrant blue or purple body with vivid orange or yellow spots
    • Claws: Powerful claws for capturing prey and breaking shells
    • Feeding: Specialized diet consisting mainly of starfish, which it actively hunts
    • Symbiotic Relationship: Pairs up with a specific species of sea slug for mutual benefit
    Harlequin Shrimp in other rankings
  2. 2
    32
    votes
    Peacock Mantis Shrimp
    Cédric Péneau · CC BY-SA 4.0
    With its stunning iridescent colors and unique body shape, the Peacock Mantis Shrimp is a favorite among saltwater aquarium enthusiasts.
    The Peacock Mantis Shrimp is a stunning and colorful marine creature known for its impressive striking appearance and powerful hunting abilities. It belongs to the order stomatopods and is native to the warm coastal waters of the Indo-Pacific region.
    • Scientific Name: Odontodactylus scyllarus
    • Size: 6-7 inches (15-17 cm) in length
    • Colors: Variety of vibrant hues, including greens, blues, purples, and oranges
    • Eyes: Compound eyes with a wide field of vision
    • Appendages: Front pair of specialized limbs for hunting and smashing prey
  3. 3
    18
    votes
    The Blue Tiger Shrimp is a stunning freshwater shrimp with bright blue stripes and spots on their bodies.
    The Blue Tiger Shrimp, scientifically known as Caridina cf. cantonensis, is an incredibly stunning and sought-after freshwater shrimp species. Its captivating appearance and mesmerizing coloration make it a popular choice among shrimp enthusiasts and aquarists.
    • Scientific Name: Caridina cf. cantonensis
    • Color: Predominantly blue with varying patterns and shades
    • Size: Up to 1.5 inches (3.8 cm)
    • Lifespan: Up to 2 years
    • Water Parameters: pH: 6.2-6.8, Temperature: 72-78°F (22-25.5°C)
  4. 4
    18
    votes

    Red Cherry Shrimp

    Breeders in Taiwan
    This small freshwater shrimp is known for its bright red color and is a popular addition to aquariums.
    The Red Cherry Shrimp is a small freshwater invertebrate that is highly regarded for its vibrant coloration and attractive appearance. It is a selectively bred variant of the Neocaridina davidi shrimp species, originating from Taiwan. The Red Cherry Shrimp is known for its bright red body color, which ranges from deep red to translucent shades, making it a visually striking addition to any aquarium. Its small size, peaceful nature, and low maintenance requirements have made it a popular choice among aquarists worldwide.
    • Scientific Name: Neocaridina davidi
    • Color: Bright Red
    • Size: Up to 2.5 cm (1 inch)
    • Origin: Taiwan
    • Water Parameters: pH: 6.5-8.0, Temperature: 20-27°C (68-81°F)
  5. 5
    17
    votes
    Crystal Red Shrimp
    Zappster · CC BY-SA 3.0

    Crystal Red Shrimp

    Takahashi Amano
    Another popular freshwater shrimp, the Crystal Red Shrimp has a beautiful red and white striped pattern that makes it stand out in any aquarium.
    The Crystal Red Shrimp (Caridina cantonensis var. 'Crystal Red') is an exquisite and highly sought-after freshwater shrimp species known for its vibrant red and white coloration. With its striking and contrasting patterns, it is considered one of the most beautiful shrimps in the world. The Crystal Red Shrimp was selectively bred in Japan for its visual appeal and rose to popularity in the 1990s.
    • Scientific Name: Caridina cantonensis var. 'Crystal Red'
    • Origin: Japan
    • Size: Up to 1 inch (2.5 cm)
    • Coloration: Bright red and opaque white bands
    • Pattern: Various grades from high white to high red
  6. 6
    3
    votes
    The Ghost Shrimp is a transparent freshwater shrimp that is sometimes called a "glass shrimp." Their unique appearance makes them a popular choice for aquariums.
    The Ghost Shrimp is a fascinating freshwater invertebrate known for its translucent appearance and delicate features. These shrimp have a unique ethereal beauty that captivates observers. Native to Southeast Asia, they are popular in freshwater aquariums due to their intriguing appearance and peaceful nature.
    • Scientific name: Palaemonetes paludosus
    • Size: 0.75 - 1.5 inches (2 - 3.8 cm)
    • Color: Translucent body, often tinged with shades of green or brown
    • Lifespan: 1 - 2 years
    • Diet: Omnivorous, primarily feeds on decaying plant matter and small invertebrates
  7. 7
    10
    votes
    Golden Bee Shrimp
    Zappster · CC BY-SA 3.0
    The Golden Bee Shrimp is a beautiful freshwater shrimp with golden stripes on its body.
    The Golden Bee Shrimp, also known as Golden Crystal Shrimp, is a stunning freshwater shrimp species known for its vibrant golden coloration. This shrimp is highly sought after by aquarium enthusiasts for its striking appearance and peaceful nature.
    • Scientific Name: Caridina cantonensis
    • Common Names: Golden Bee Shrimp, Golden Crystal Shrimp
    • Coloration: Golden yellow to deep orange
    • Size: Adults reach about 1.5 inches (3-4 cm)
    • Pattern: Solid coloration with occasional dark markings
  8. 8
    10
    votes
    Amano Shrimp
    Tsunamicarlos [2] · Public domain

    Amano Shrimp

    Takashi Amano
    The Amano Shrimp is a popular freshwater shrimp with a translucent body and bright red spots on its head and tail.
    The Amano Shrimp, also known as the Japanese Algae Shrimp or Yamato Shrimp, is a remarkably beautiful freshwater shrimp species that originates from Japan. This species was first discovered and named after Takashi Amano, a renowned aquarist and nature photographer who played a significant role in popularizing planted aquariums.
    • Scientific Name: Caridina multidentata
    • Size: Approximately 2 inches (5 cm)
    • Coloration: Translucent grayish-brown with delicate patterns
    • Lifespan: 1-2 years
    • Water Parameters: Temperature: 71-79°F (22-26°C), pH: 6.0-7.5, Hardness: 3-10 dGH
  9. 9
    6
    votes
    With its striking black and yellow stripes, the Bumblebee Shrimp is a beautiful addition to any aquarium.
    The Bumblebee Shrimp, also known as the striped harlequin shrimp (Hymenocera elegans), is a stunningly beautiful species of shrimp that captivates marine enthusiasts with its vibrant colors and unique patterns. It is a small saltwater shrimp native to the Indo-Pacific region, particularly found in the reefs of Indonesia and the Philippines.
    • Scientific name: Hymenocera elegans
    • Size: 1.5 - 3 cm (0.6 - 1.2 inches) in length
    • Color: Black and white striped body with vivid yellow or orange appendages
    • Lifespan: Up to 2 years
    • Diet: Predominantly carnivorous, feeds on starfish and sea urchins
  10. 10
    3
    votes
    Rainbow Shrimp
    Everestsh · CC BY-SA 4.0
    The Rainbow Shrimp is a stunning freshwater shrimp with a bright rainbow-colored body.
    The Rainbow Shrimp is a stunningly vibrant and colorful freshwater shrimp that captivates with its mesmerizing appearance. Its name perfectly reflects its magnificent hues, as it displays a stunning array of rainbow colors on its translucent body. The colors range from vibrant reds and oranges to striking blues and purples, creating a truly captivating sight.
    • Size: Approximately 2 inches
    • Coloration: Vibrant rainbow colors
    • Body Type: Translucent
    • Habitat: Freshwater
    • Lifespan: 1-2 years

Missing your favorite shrimp?

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Ranking factors for beautiful shrimp

  1. Coloration
    Vibrant colors and unique patterns can greatly contribute to a shrimp's beauty. Look for species with striking colors, such as bright reds, oranges, yellows, blues, or greens, as well as those with interesting patterns or markings.
  2. Size and shape
    A shrimp's size and overall body shape can also impact its attractiveness. Some people might find smaller, more delicately built shrimps to be more aesthetically pleasing, while others might be drawn to larger, more robust species.
  3. Behavior
    The way a shrimp moves and interacts with its environment can add to its overall appeal. Shrimps often have fascinating behaviors, such as intricate courtship displays or complex feeding habits, which can make them even more captivating to watch.
  4. Rarity
    In some cases, the rarity of a shrimp species can contribute to its perceived beauty. Shrimps that are less commonly seen in the wild or in aquariums might be considered more special or valuable, making them more attractive to some people.
  5. Environmental adaptability
    A shrimp's ability to thrive in a variety of habitats or environmental conditions can be an important factor to consider, especially for those who want to keep them in a home aquarium. Species that are hardy, adaptable, and easy to care for might be more appealing than those that require specialized care or have specific environmental needs.
  6. Compatibility with other species
    When choosing shrimps for a community aquarium, it is crucial to consider whether they will get along with other tank inhabitants. Species that are generally peaceful and compatible with a wide range of tank mates are often more desirable than those that may be aggressive or territorial.
  7. Overall health and vitality
    A healthy, robust shrimp with clean, clear eyes, a full, well-rounded body, and strong, active movements will generally be more attractive than one that appears weak, sickly, or lethargic.
  8. Reputation and popularity
    The reputation and popularity of a shrimp species can also influence perceptions of its beauty. Species that are well-regarded in the aquarist community, featured in media, or commonly associated with certain cultural or historical significance might be viewed as more beautiful than lesser-known or less popular species.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most beautiful shrimp in the world. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or shrimp is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 2370 views
  • 174 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each shrimp once every 24 hours. The rank of each shrimp is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

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More information on most beautiful shrimp in the world

Shrimp are a popular seafood delicacy and are loved by millions all over the world. These tiny crustaceans come in a variety of sizes and colors, but have you ever wondered which is the most beautiful shrimp in the world? With over 2,000 species of shrimp in existence, it's a tough question to answer. From the strikingly colorful Harlequin shrimp to the stunning Blue Tiger shrimp, there are plenty of options to choose from. Join us as we explore the world's most beautiful shrimp species and discover what makes them so unique and visually captivating.

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