Neocaridina davidi - Care guide

Neocaridina davidi Care Guide

Neocaridina davidi, commonly known as Bloody Mary, Blue Diamond, Yellow golden back, and other colorful shrimp varieties, are the most popular and hardy dwarf shrimp species kept in the aquarium hobby. They are an excellent choice for beginners due to their resilience and ability to tolerate a wide range of water conditions.

Optimal Water Parameters

While highly adaptable, maintaining stable parameters is key to successful breeding and molting. Neocaridina thrive in slightly harder water with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH.

ParameterIdeal Range

Temperature: 22-23 °C

pH: $6.5-8.0$

GH (General Hardness) $6-10$ dGH

KH (Carbonate Hardness) $2-8$ dKH

TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) 200-250PPM

Stability is Key: Avoid rapid fluctuations in temperature or parameters, as this is the most common cause of stress and molting issues. 

While these parameters serve as a helpful guideline, I strongly advise against chasing specific numbers if your shrimp are already thriving. Stability is far more important than 'perfect' chemistry; if your colony is healthy and active, it is best to avoid making unnecessary adjustments that could cause stress.

Water Source: Most established tap water sources are suitable for Neocaridina, provided they are treated with a quality dechlorinator that neutralizes chloramines and heavy metals.

Optimal Water Parameters

While highly adaptable, maintaining stable parameters is key to successful breeding and molting. Neocaridina thrive in slightly harder water with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH.

Aquarium Setup and Environment

• Tank Size: A minimum of 20L is recommended for stability, though 50L or larger is preferred.

• Filtration: A sponge filter is the safest and most effective choice. It provides both biological filtration and a continuous food source (biofilm) for the shrimp, while ensuring that small shrimplets are not drawn into the filter intake.

• Substrate: Neutral substrates like fine gravel or inert sand are suitable. Dark substrates are recommended as they encourage shrimp to display brighter, more intense coloration.

• Aquascaping: Live plants, especially mosses (like Flame moss or Christmas moss), are essential. They provide abundant surface area for grazing, secure hiding places, and aid in maintaining high water quality. Driftwood and Catappa leaves also benefit the shrimp by releasing beneficial tannins.
• Before introducing any shrimp to a new aquarium, it is essential to ensure the tank has been properly cycled for at least 2–3 weeks. This period allows the necessary beneficial bacteria to establish, creating a stable biological environment that is safe for your shrimp.

Maintenance and Breeding

• Water Changes: Perform small, routine water changes of $10\%$ to $20\%\; every\; 2\; weeks.$ Amount of the water being changed depends on your biological load; if you have shrimp and fish together, it may require a higher amount of water change and more frequent water changes, like once a week. Always fill the tank slowly. When adding new water to prevent parameter shock.

• Breeding: Given stable conditions and the presence of both sexes, Neocaridina are prolific breeders. Females will carry the eggs (referred to as being "berried") for approximately 28–35 days before the fully formed shrimplets hatch. No intervention is typically required, as the adults do not prey on their young

How we feed

The following information applies specifically to species-only shrimp tanks. In a community aquarium, you should maintain your regular fish-feeding routine and supplement the shrimp 2–3 times per week with algae wafers or specialized shrimp food. We recommend using dedicated shrimp food because of their specific biological needs; they require a diet rich in calcium and minerals to ensure a successful and healthy molting process.

We feed our shrimp with a complete food 2-3 times a week, rotating with some frozen bloodworm, Dead Shrimp Powder and Powder food.

Only offer an amount of food that can be fully consumed within 2–3 hours. Any uneaten remains should be removed from the tank to prevent ammonia spikes and maintain water quality.

Our Neocardinia tank setup

We maintain a minimalist tank setup in line with our breeding projects, using only a small amount of sand or gravel.

More artistic tank for shrimp and fish:

Summary:

Can shrimp be kept with fish?

Yes, nano fish are a suitable choice. However, even if you prefer smaller fish, species such as Plecos or Corydoras are excellent alternatives, as are various types of snails. These are often highly compatible and make great additions to a community setup.

Can Neocaridinia be kept in tap water? 

Yes, Neocaridina shrimp are known for their hardiness and can generally thrive in tap water, provided it is properly conditioned and the parameters are stable. However, it is essential to use a high-quality water conditioner to neutralize chlorine and chloramines.

How often should I feed?

Feeding should be done 2–3 times per week. As colonies grow larger, their nutritional demands increase; in these cases, we highly recommend using Lubao bags and 'Dead Shrimp' powder as supplements. These products promote the growth of natural biofilm, allowing the shrimp to graze continuously throughout the day as they would in their natural habitat.

How often should I change the water?

For species-only shrimp tanks, a bi-weekly water change is recommended, as shrimp thrive best in stable water parameters. However, in a community setup featuring both fish and shrimp, we recommend a weekly water change of 20–30%. The exact frequency and volume should be adjusted based on your aquarium’s capacity and the current bio-load (the total number of fish and shrimp).