Neocaridina Shrimp | Care, Water Parameters, Color, & More

FamilyAtyidae
GenusNeocaridina
Number of SpeciesApproximately 24-26 known species
Temperature57F – 84F
SizeApproximately 1.6 inches
Food & DietOmnivorous
Water pH6.5 – 8.0

Neocaridina Shrimp Colors and Types

Neocaridina Shrimp no matter the type all have the same basic body structure. All Neocaridina Shrimp are equipped with 5 pairs of walking legs called Pereopods. The first two pairs of legs have claws that Neocaridina Shrimp use to grab their food. There are many different types of Neocaridina Shrimp. In fact, there are approximately 24-26 known species, and many more variations and colors within each species. The color of Neocaridina Shrimp can include red, blue, green, black, yellow, and more. The number of variations can be significant, especially for popular species such as Neocaridina Davidi. Interestingly, the price for each shrimp can vary widely within each species, variation, and grade. Here’s a list of some of the known species of Neocaridina Shrimp:

  • Neocaridina Anhuiensis
  • Neocaridina Bamana: These shrimp are freshwater dwelling, and they can be found in the Guangxi region of China. There is not a lot known about the natural habitat of this species of Neocaridina Shrimp’s habitat due to lack of data about their collection site.
  • Neocaridina Brevidactyla: Neocaridina Brevidactyla are on the protected species list. This means that their species is endangered and populations in the wild are dwindling.
  • Neocaridina Curvifrons
  • Neocaridina Denticulata: These tiny shrimp are native to China and Taiwan. They are also commonly called Red Cherry Shrimp.
  • Neocaridina Euspinosa
  • Neocaridina Fukiensis: This species of Neocaridina Shrimp was discovered in 1977 in the waters of China.
  • Neocaridina Gracilipoda
  • Neocaridina Davidi: Neocaridina Davidi, also known as Cherry Shrimp, come in a wide variety of colors. They are native to eastern China, but they have been introduced into the wild in Japan, Taiwan, and Hawaii. Neocaridina Davidi is by far the most popular species of shrimp in the aquarium hobby.
    • Red Cherry Shrimp: The Red Cherry Shrimp is actually very dull in coloration and almost transparent in color compared to the other grades of Neocaridina Shrimp. These shrimp are usually fairly bland in coloration and in rare cases have a few red spots on their bodies. These Shrimp will usually cost around $3 per shrimp.
    • Blue Velvet Shrimp: Blue Velvet Shrimp are a variation of the Red Cherry Shrimp, they are just a different color. These shrimp were selectively bred for their coloration and are rapidly gaining in popularity due to their vibrant coloration. These Shrimp can cost around $5 per shrimp.
    • Yellow Shrimp: Yellow Shrimp are more than just plain yellow. They are an eye catchingly bright electric yellow color, and they are another popular color choice for aquarium hobbyists. These Shrimp provide a pop of color to any aquarium and are sure to stand out. They cost around $6 per shrimp.
    • Green Shrimp: Green Shrimp come from Taiwan, and are as the name suggests, bright green. These Shrimp are another excellent addition to add to any home aquarium. These Shrimp can be purchased for around $27 and up.
    • Black Shrimp: There are few different variations of black colored shrimp, and they are selectively bred for their deep black and brown coloration. These shrimp can run up to $40 per Shrimp.
    • Rili Shrimp: Rili Shrimp can be identified by the white band that runs along the middle of their body. This coloration is red and white, with the white parts often being semi-transparent. This color variation can cost up to $5 per shrimp depending on their color grading.
    • Wild Type: Wild Type Neocaridina Shrimp are the shrimp that all of the color variations are bred from. The name Wild Type just refers to the natural colorations and markings that they have before being selectively bred. These Shrimp can be purchased for around $4 per shrimp.
  • Neocaridina Hofendopoda    
  • Neocaridina Homospina
  • Neocaridina Iriomotensis
  • Neocaridina Ishigakiensis
  • Neocaridina Ketagalan
  • Neocaridina Keunbaei  
  • Neocaridina Linfenensis
  • Neocaridina Longipoda
  • Neocaridina Palmata: Neocaridina Palmata Shrimp are found in heavily planted waters in China and Vietnam. They prefer to live in the slow moving waters in rivers, streams, and ponds.
  • Neocaridina Saccam
  • Neocaridina Spinosa
  • Neocaridina Xiapuensis
  • Neocaridina Zhangjiajiensis: This species of Neocaridina Shrimp is also known as Pearl Shrimp. This species was developed in Germany for the aquarium trade.
    • Blue Pearl Shrimp: Blue Pearl Shrimp are a color variation that is fairly new on the market. They were selectively bred in Taiwan for their unique coloration. These shrimp can be purchased online for around $5 per shrimp.
    • Snowball Shrimp: Snowball Shrimp were given the name Snowball due to their milky white coloration. Even the eggs of the Snowball Shrimp are white. This makes them easier to identify in the home aquarium. Snowball Shrimp can cost around $5 per shrimp.
  • Neocaridina zhoushanensis
Neocaridina Shrimp
Neocaridina Shrimp

Neocaridina Shrimp Care

Neocaridina Shrimp are considered a hardy species and easy to care for due to their ability to handle a wide range of water conditions without too many problems. They can even handle water parameters dipping low for a short period of time. While each species within this genus may have slightly different care requirements, the purpose of this guide is to provide a general overview of Neocaridina Shrimp. Therefore, keep in mind that outlier species within this genus may exist.

Neocaridina Shrimp Food and Diet

Neocaridina Shrimp are omnivorous. This means that they will eat both animal and plant matter. In the wild, they are opportunistic feeders that will eat pretty much whatever they can get. In captivity, Neocaridina Shrimp will readily eat almost any flaked or pelleted food that you feed them, but they have certain dietary needs that should be adhered to as well. There are more expensive foods on the market aimed specifically towards Neocaridina Shrimp, but if you are supplementing their diet, you shouldn’t need to purchase these foods to make sure that they are getting adequate nutrition.

Feeding Neocaridina Shrimp blanched vegetables such as zucchini, carrots, lettuce, and spinach are all favorite foods of captive Neocaridina Shrimp. To blanch vegetables for Neocaridina Shrimp, you will place them in boiling water for 2 to 3 minutes until they are soft, and then chop them finely so that the pieces are small enough for your Neocaridina Shrimp to easily eat.

Neocaridina Shrimp SIze and Lifespan

Neocaridina Shrimp are relatively small. They can only reach up to 1.6 inches in length at full maturity. Even if cared for properly, Neocaridina Shrimp have a shorter lifespan and they typically live from 1 to 2 years.

Neocaridina Shrimp Water Parameters

If you are planning on setting up a tank for Neocaridina Shrimp, it is fairly easy as they do not require much. These little aquarium dwellers can live in and be comfortable in tanks as small as 5 gallons housing 2 to 5 shrimp. Keep in mind that you will need an additional 5 gallons of water per every 2 to 5 shrimp you add to your colony. They require a total of 4 – 8 dGH, a temperature range of 57F to 84F, and 6.0 to 8.0 pH. Neocaridina Shrimp are able to withstand a wider range of water parameters, and are very hardy.

Neocaridina Tank Setup

Neocaridina Shrimp do not require much aquarium decor. For their substrate, they require only about an inch of sand, and for filters and air pumps, you can purchase regular quality and they will work just fine.

Decor is still an option for Neocaridina Shrimp even though they do not require it. Lava rocks are a great choice for a Neocaridina Shrimp aquarium. Not only are they interesting to look at, but their porous surface provides lots of places for Neocaridina Shrimp to climb on.

Neocaridina Shrimp Breeding

There are no special requirements to coax Neocaridina Shrimp to spawn in captivity. If they are being cared for properly, are alive and well, then they will reproduce in your aquarium. New Neocaridina Shrimp to your aquarium will not be quick to breed. They will most likely take up to 5 months before they begin the spawning process, but after that they will spawn much more often.

Neocaridina Shrimp are more likely to spawn right after they molt. When female Neocaridina shrimp are ready to spawn, they release pheromones into the water to entice the males. The female Neocaridina Shrimp will lay around 20 to 30 eggs at a time. The eggs will hatch after about 2 to 3 weeks. After you see the first shrimp fry emerge, the rest will follow within 24 hours. If they do not, then this can mean that the eggs did not develop properly.

How Many Neocaridina Shrimp Does it Take to Start a Colony?

It is fairly easy to start a Neocaridina Shrimp colony. You have to simply start with one male and one female, and let nature take its course from there. If you want to start out with more than a breeding pair, 10 Neocaridina Shrimp is the recommended number to start a colony. Keep in mind the minimum gallon requirement of at least 5 gallons for up to 5 Neocaridina Shrimp.

Neocaridina Shrimp Disease

Neocaridina Shrimp are considered hardy for their wide range of water parameters, but this does not keep them completely free from the danger of illness. Illness can spread through your aquarium and to your shrimp quite rapidly. One of the most common ways that illness can be introduced into your aquarium is through the introduction of other creatures.

When you purchase other shrimp or fish to add to your aquarium, you will want to quarantine your new shrimp or fish away from the others for a few weeks before introducing them to their new home. This way you can ensure that the shrimp or fish that you purchased is healthy and is not spreading any illness they may have to your established aquarium.

It is important to follow this same rule for any plants and decor that you want to add. There is a chance that the leaves or decor could be infected with the eggs of aquatic parasites that can then enter your aquarium and cause problems.

Another way that Neocaridina Shrimp could get sick is through improper care. If their water parameter needs are not being met there is a chance they could become ill as a result. Even though Neocaridina Shrimp are hardy and can accept a wider range of water parameters, a huge shift in water parameters that is not corrected quickly could be potentially deadly.

Common Disease for Neocaridina Shrimp

Vorticella: A bell shaped organism is responsible for this disease, and it can attach itself to the shrimp. It is a parasite that will show up on the body of the Shrimp as a white spot. This typically shows up around the nose region of the shrimp. This condition can be cured if caught early on.

Bacterial Infections: It is not difficult to determine if your Shrimp has a bacterial infection. You will be able to see that their insides are inflamed. This is an indication that your Shrimp has a bacterial infection. Bacterial infections in Shrimp can be cured if caught early on, but usually by the time you are able to observe that there is something wrong, it is already too late.

Scutariella Japonica: This is a common parasitic infection for Shrimp. This is a type of nematode parasite. This parasite usually lives inside the gills or the mantle of the Shrimp. These parasites will not usually kill the host Shrimp, but they can affect their airways due to blockage from the parasite itself or it’s eggs. Leeches and Dragonfly Nymphs are also a danger to Shrimp.

When dealing with Neocaridina Shrimp, it is best to prevent problems before they arise. You can prevent your Neocaridina Shrimp from getting sick by establishing a regular cleaning routine with frequent water changes, and by quarantining any new fish or decor before introducing them into your home aquarium.

Neocaridina Shrimp Tank Mates

The best tank mates for Neocaridina Shrimp are other Neocaridina Shrimp. These tiny fish do best when kept in a single species tank that is set up specifically for them and any potential offspring. Neocaridina Shrimp are basically fish food themselves, and placing them with just any fish could potentially be deadly for Neocaridina Shrimp.

Examples of incompatible tank mates for Neocaridina Shrimp would be any carnivorous fish that would normally eat shrimp as a part of their natural diet. Tetras are small, but they will definitely go after shrimp and shrimp fry.

Examples of compatible tank mates for Neocaridina Shrimp would be freshwater snails, small Plecos, and Cory Catfish.

Where Can I Find Neocaridina Shrimp For Sale?

If you are looking to purchase Neocaridina Shrimp for your home aquarium you will be able to easily find them at local pet stores and online. You can expect to purchase one Neocaridina shrimp for around $3. Keep in mind that the price will vary depending on the color of the shrimp, and how many you purchase. Neocaridina need to live together in a colony of at least one breeding pair.

Neocaridina Shrimp VS Caridina Shrimp

Neocaridina Shrimp and Caridina Shrimp can not be kept together as they will interbreed and create a dull brown shrimp that is not the standard shape. The main difference in these shrimp is their rostrum length, and their reproductive parts. The rostrum is the extension of the carapace forward in the space in front of the eyes of the Shrimp. It is thought that the rostrum is there to protect the eyes of the Shrimp during an altercation. The reproductive parts of Neocaridina Shrimp and Caridina Shrimp just simply do not go together. Neocaridina Shrimp and Caridina Shrimp are shaped completely different from one another but it is still possible for them to interbreed. Other than those two things and the color variations, Neocaridina Shrimp and Caridina Shrimp have the same dietary needs and are practically indistinguishable from one another.

Neocaridina Shrimp and Caridina Shrimp both require different water parameters. The Neocaridina Shrimp are a better choice for beginner aquarium hobbyists due to their ability to tolerate a wide range of water parameters. Caridina Shrimp requires more specific water parameters to keep happy.