Care Guide

Neocaridina Shrimp Care Guide

Neocaridina shrimp are a popular and hardy group of freshwater aquarium shrimp that are beloved by hobbyists. These small crustaceans come in a wide variety of vibrant colors and patterns, making them a stunning addition to any planted aquarium. With proper care and attention, Neocaridina shrimp can thrive and breed successfully in the home aquarium.

Tank Requirements:

• Aquarium size: Minimum of 2.5 gallons, but larger tanks (5-10 gallons) are recommended for a breeding colony, as larger tanks are usually more stable.
• Substrate: Fine gravel, sandy substrate, or aquarium-safe soil. Avoid sharp substrates that could damage the shrimp. We usually prefer fluval or aquavitro aquasoil, as it has natural pH buffering properties, which helps keep the water right where the shrimp like it.
• Decorations: Provide plenty of hiding places such as moss, driftwood, rocks, and live plants. This helps reduce stress by giving shrimp a place to hide.
• Filtration: Hang-on-back (HOB) or sponge filters work well. Avoid strong water flow that could stress the shrimp. It is a good idea to cover any filter intake with sponge or mesh so that it does not suck up any of the shrimp.
• Lighting: Moderate to bright lighting is usually ideal to keep things like biofilm and algae readily available for the shrimp to graze on. If Algae is getting too out of control, reduce the amount of light in the tank.

Water Parameters:

• Temperature: 68-82°F (20-28°C). Maintain a stable temperature within this range. We have found that a range of 72-78°F is usually a little better, with 74°F being the best, but they can adapt to a wide variety of temperatures as long as it is stable.
• pH: 6.5-8.0, with a preferred range of 7.0-7.6.
• General Hardness (GH): 6-12 dGH. Moderately hard water is ideal.
• Carbonate Hardness (KH): 2-8 dKH. Stable, moderately hard water is best.
• Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrate: 0 ppm. Perform regular partial water changes to maintain water quality.

Feeding:

• Feed a varied diet of high-quality shrimp foods, algae wafers, blanched vegetables, and occasional protein sources.
• Provide small, frequent feedings rather than large, infrequent ones to avoid water quality issues.
• Avoid overfeeding, as excess food can deteriorate water conditions. If the shrimp are not immediately interested in the food, it’s a good sign to cut back on feedings.

Breeding:

• Neocaridina shrimp are prolific breeders when provided with the right conditions.
• Maintain a balanced male-to-female ratio, typically 1:2 or 1:3.
• Before fertilization, females carry their eggs in a spot on their backs, right behind their heads. This spot is referred to as the shrimp’s “saddle”. After molting, they release pheromones which attract males to come fertilize the eggs, and then the female will drop the eggs into her undercarriage.
• Females will carry their eggs (usually referred to as being “berried”) for 3-4 weeks before releasing free-swimming babies.
• Newborn shrimp should be provided with plenty of hiding places and a supplemental diet.

Caridina Shrimp Care Guide

Caridina shrimp are a fascinating group of freshwater aquarium shrimp that are prized by hobbyists for their stunning colors, unique patterns, and captivating behaviors. These delicate crustaceans require more specialized care compared to their Neocaridina counterparts, but with the right setup and attention, they can thrive in the home aquarium.

Tank Requirements:

• Aquarium size: Minimum of 5 gallons, with larger tanks (10-20 gallons) recommended for breeding colonies.
• Substrate: Fine, soft substrate such as aquarium soil or sandy substrate. Avoid sharp gravel that can damage the shrimp. We usually prefer Fluval or Aquavitro aqua soil, as it has natural pH buffering properties, which helps keep the water right where the shrimp like it.
• Decorations: Provide ample hiding places with moss, driftwood, rocks, and live plants. This helps reduce stress by giving shrimp a place to hide.
• Filtration: Sponge filters or hang-on-back filters with low flow are ideal. Avoid strong water currents. Cover any large filter intake with sponge or mesh to avoid sucking up shrimp into the filter.
• Lighting: Moderate to bright lighting is usually ideal to keep things like biofilm and algae readily available for the shrimp to graze on. If Algae is getting too out of control, reduce the amount of light in the tank.

Water Parameters:

• Temperature: 68-77°F (20-25°C). Maintain a stable temperature within this range. We have found the best temperature to be 74°F
• pH: 6.0-7.0, with a preferred range of 6.2-6.8.
• General Hardness (GH): 4-6 dGH. Soft water is ideal.
• Carbonate Hardness (KH): 0-2 dKH. Stable, slightly acidic water is best.
• Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrate: 0 ppm. Perform regular partial water changes to maintain water quality.

Feeding:

• Feed a varied diet of high-quality shrimp foods, algae wafers, and blanched vegetables.
• Provide small, frequent feedings rather than large, infrequent ones to avoid water quality issues.
• Avoid overfeeding, as excess food can deteriorate water conditions. If the shrimp are not immediately interested in the food, it’s a good sign to cut back on feedings.

Breeding:

• Caridina shrimp can be more challenging to breed compared to Neocaridina species. As long as water parameters are stable, and within their preferred ranges, they will eventually breed. Be patient and let them do their thing.
• Maintain a balanced male-to-female ratio, typically 1:2 or 1:3.
• Before fertilization, females carry their eggs in a spot on their backs, right behind their heads. This spot is referred to as the shrimp’s “saddle”. After molting, they release pheromones which attract males to come fertilize the eggs, and then the female will drop the eggs into her undercarriage.
• Females will carry their eggs (usually referred to as being “berried”) for 3-4 weeks before releasing free-swimming babies.
• Newborn shrimp should be provided with plenty of hiding places and a supplemental diet.

Common Problems and Solutions

1. High Mortality Rates:
   • Possible Causes: Improper water parameters, poor water quality, temperature fluctuations, disease, toxins, or aggression from other tank inhabitants.
   • Solutions: Perform regular water tests and changes, maintain stable water parameters, treat for diseases, remove aggressive tank mates, and quarantine new shrimp.
2. Stunted Growth/Poor Molting:
   • Possible Causes: Insufficient calcium or minerals, water quality issues, or stress.
   • Solutions: Supplement the diet with calcium-rich foods, ensure stable water parameters, and provide adequate hiding places to reduce stress.
3. Algae Buildup:
   • Possible Causes: Excessive nutrients, poor water circulation, or too much light.
   • Solutions: Perform regular water changes, improve filtration, reduce lighting duration, and add algae-eating organisms like shrimp or snails.
4. Breeding Issues:
   • Possible Causes: Incorrect water parameters, lack of hiding places, improper male-to-female ratio, or insufficient food.
   • Solutions: Maintain ideal water conditions, provide plenty of hiding spots, ensure a balanced breeding group, and feed a varied, nutrient-rich diet.
5. White Fungus/Bacterial Infections:
   • Possible Causes: Poor water quality, stress, or introduction of infected shrimp.
   • Solutions: Perform water changes, treat with appropriate medications, and quarantine affected shrimp.
6. Aggressive Behavior:
   • Possible Causes: Overcrowding, insufficient hiding places, or presence of dominant males.
   • Solutions: Reduce shrimp population density, add more decorations and hiding spots, and remove overly aggressive individuals.
7. Molting Problems:
   • Possible Causes: Calcium deficiency, water quality issues, or physical damage.
   • Solutions: Supplement the diet with calcium-rich foods, maintain stable water parameters, and avoid disturbances during the molting process.