A Guide to Breeding Neocaridina Shrimp

What Shrimp Species Should I Choose?

Choosing the right species is the first step in your shrimp breeding adventure. It largely depends on your experience level, the water conditions you can maintain, your specific breeding goals, and budget.

Neocaridina Shrimp

For beginners, Neocaridina shrimp, like Red Cherry Shrimp or Bloody Mary Shrimp, are the best choice. They tolerate a wider range than many Caridina, but they still need a cycled tank, stable minerals, and careful acclimation. These shrimp are popular because they are hardy for dwarf shrimp and come in many selected color lines. If you are new to shrimp breeding, starting with Neocaridina usually gives you the most forgiving learning curve.

Caridina Shrimp

If you have more experience, consider Caridina shrimp, such as Crystal Red Shrimp or Blue Bolt Shrimp. They require a lot more attention than Neocaridina. They need more specific, stable water conditions, particularly acidic pH and soft water. Caridina shrimp are more delicate, so they require consistent, attentive care. However, they are prized for their beautiful, unique colors and patterns, making them a rewarding species to breed. They are also costly. They often cost more than $15-$35 per shrimp, depending on line and grade.

Sulawesi Shrimp

These are for the most advanced aquarists, Sulawesi shrimp might be the ultimate challenge. These shrimp require very specific, stable conditions, including warm and alkaline water. They are native to the ancient lakes of Sulawesi, Indonesia, so replicating their natural environment can be very challenging. However, with the right setup, breeding Sulawesi shrimp can be incredibly satisfying and exciting.

How Do I Set Up the Ideal Breeding Tank?

Creating a stable environment is the foundation for shrimp breeding. You want to mimic their natural environment if you can. On top of that, your tank setup should meet the specific needs of the shrimp species you’re breeding.

Tank Size and Shape

The size of your tank plays a significant role in maintaining good water stability and quality. A 10-gallon tank is often recommended as the minimum size for a small colony of shrimp (which can be up to 100 or more if you manage the water well). A larger tank, like a 20-gallon setup, provides even greater stability by buffering against rapid changes in temperature and pH. So, the bigger the tank, the easier it is, which might seem counter intuitive. But think of it this way, if you pour a spoonful of salt into a cup of water, the water is going to be VERY salty. But if you pour a spoonful of salt into a bathtub of water, you wouldn’t be able to taste the salt. The salt barely affects the water at all. In the same way, leftover food and poop can change the water parameters. The more water you have, the less the water can be altered by waste. Also, a rectangular tank is ideal because it offers a larger surface area for gas exchange, it gives shrimp plenty of room to explore, and you will have the best view.

Substrate

For shrimp tanks, substrate choice matters. For Neocaridina shrimp, use a dark-colored gravel or specialized shrimp substrate. Dark substrate and background can make shrimp look better by contrast and may help them show stronger color, but substrate will not fix weak genetics or poor water quality. Substrate also provides good surface area for biofilm growth, which shrimp need to feed on. For Caridina shrimp, an active substrate like ADA Amazonia helps maintain a slightly acidic pH, which they prefer. Without an active substrate or carefully prepared remineralized water, many soft-water Caridina setups are harder to keep stable.

Plants and Decorations

In simple terms, live plants are strongly recommended in a shrimp breeding tank. Plants like Java Moss, Anubias, Water Wisteria, and floating plants like Water Lettuce or Frogbit provide cover and improve water quality. Adding driftwood and leaf litter such as Indian Almond Leaves can release beneficial tannins, lower pH, and provide hiding spots for shrimp. You can also add artificial hiding places like shrimp caves or a shrimp playground made out of ceramic.

Lighting

Lighting is important, but it doesn’t need to be overly intense. Moderate lighting, with 6-8 hours of light per day, is usually sufficient. If you give too much light, too much or too often, it can stress the shrimp and promote unwanted algae growth. But too little light can hinder plant growth, and even shrimp growth. Just remember when planning out lighting options, that floating plants will diffuse a lot of light and reduce stress for shrimp.

How Do I Manage Filtration and Water Parameters?

Maintaining clean water and stable conditions is rule number one for caring for and breeding shrimp. Here’s how to do it effectively.

Filtration

A sponge filter is ideal for shrimp tanks. It provides gentle flow, which ensures that baby shrimp (shrimplets) are not sucked into the filter or tossed around the tank. Sponge filters also promote the growth of beneficial bacteria and biofilm, which are essential for a healthy tank. Your shrimp will love grazing on the filter media.

Water Parameters

You have to maintain the right water conditions for each type of shrimp separately. Here’s what you need to know for each shrimp species:

• Neocaridina Shrimp:
  Temperature: 70-78°F (21-26°C),
  pH: 6.5-7.5,
  GH: 6-8 dGH,
  KH: 1-4 dKH,
  TDS: 150-250 ppm.


• Caridina Shrimp:
  Temperature: 68-76°F (20-24°C),
  pH: 6.2-6.8,
  GH: 4-6 dGH,
  KH: 0-1 dKH,
  TDS: 100-200 ppm.


• Sulawesi Shrimp:
  Temperature: 77-86°F (25-30°C),
  pH: 7.8-8.5,,
  GH: 6-8 dGH,
  KH: 2-6 dKH,
  TDS: 150-250 ppm.

Water Changes

Regular water changes matter, but they must be done gently. Here’s my process:

• 1. Test your tanks water parameters (pH, kH, gH, and TDS).
• 2. Siphon 20-30% of the water out of the tank.
• 3. Fill a bucket with treated tap water or RODI (reverse osmosis deionized) water.
• 4. Add minerals to the water until the parameters match the tank water.
  • For Neocaridina’s use: SaltyShrimp kHgH+
  • For Caridina use: SaltyShrimp gH+
• 5. Put the bucket on a shelf, or on a chair sitting on the surface of the aquarium stand. The goal is to get the bucket to be above the tank water.
• 6. Use an air tube with a knot tied into it, or with an air control valve at the end, and drip-siphon the water from the bucket to the tank. About 1-2 drops per second will do.
• 7. Monitor the tanks water level and the shrimp in the tank while the water changes.

Calcium Supplements

Calcium is important for shrimp, especially for molting. Adding cuttlebone or mineral stones can ensure a steady supply of calcium, supporting healthy shell development and growth. Just be sure to only add a little a time. Too much calcium can change chemistry of the water, which is not always desired.

What Should I Feed My Shrimp?

Proper nutrition is another important factor for the health and breeding success of your shrimp. Here’s how to feed them effectively.

Diet

A varied diet is key. Use high-quality shrimp-specific foods as the main diet. Supplement this with blanched vegetables like zucchini, spinach, or cucumbers, and algae wafers. Occasionally, offer protein-rich foods like freeze-dried daphnia, brine shrimp, or bloodworms to boost reproductive health. For more on ratios and feeding schedules, see our feeding guide for Neocaridina and Caridina shrimp.

Here are main go-to foods:

• GlasGarten:
  • Glasgarten Bacter Ae
  • Shrimp Baby Food
  • Shrimp Fit
• Shrimp Envy
  • Complete Envy Shrimp Food
  • Food Fight Shrimp Food
  • Baby Envy Shrimp Food
• Hikari
  • Hikari Shrimp Cuisine

Feeding Frequency

Feed sparingly. Only as much as they can eat in a few hours, then clean up the rest. Overfeeding can harm water quality pretty easily. Offer small amounts every other day, and remove any uneaten food to keep the tank clean and the water fresh.