Blog, Neocaridina, Shrimp
A Guide to Breeding Neocaridina Shrimp
I love breeding Neocaridina shrimp. It’s one of the most exciting, enjoyable, and peaceful hobbies I’ve ever been a part of. These hardy, colorful creatures are relatively easy to care for and breed, making them a great choice for both beginners and experienced hobbyists. However, creating the proper tank setup and maintaining optimal conditions are crucial to ensuring a thriving, successful breeding colony of 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 are the most resilient and they are adaptable to a wide range of water conditions. These shrimp are easy to care for and are known for their super vibrant colors. If you’re new to shrimp breeding, starting with Neocaridina shrimp will likely lead to the most successful experience.
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’re also costly. The often cost more than $15-$35 per critter.
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 the perfect environment is essential for successful 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 effects 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, choosing the right substrate is crucial. For Neocaridina shrimp, use a dark-colored gravel or specialized shrimp substrate. This not only highlights their colors but it also enhances their colors! Shrimp will change their colors to blend in with their environment. So if you have white substrate for example, the shrimp will blanch and become more transparent in order to blend in. So, the darker the better. 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, you will always be battling to keep the pH low enough for the shrimp to survive, and you don’t want that.
Plants and Decorations
In simple terms, live plants are a requirement to have in your 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 are super important, but they must be done properly. 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 parameter match that of 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.
Here are main go-to foods:
- GlasGarten:
- Shrimp Envy
- Hikari
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.
How Does the Breeding Process Work?
Understanding the breeding process is a fun bit of knowledge that will make breeding shrimp even more fun and exciting. Here’s how the lifecycle of a shrimp goes:
Molting and Mating
Breeding typically begins with “saddled” female. A saddle with a small portion of their upper that has a different color from the rest of her. It literally looks like a tiny horse saddle on their backs. Once she’s been saddled, and in fully mature, she will molt her exoskeleton. After the molt, she will release some pheromones that attract males, signaling that she’s ready to mate. In order to keep herself safe after molting, she will find a good hiding place. She’ll be tough to find, and because of this, and her pheromones, the males will be swimming all over the tank in order to find her. It’s fun to watch, like a giant shrimp party. After mating, the female carries the fertilized eggs under her abdomen for about 3-5 weeks. Depending on the color of shrimp, you will be able toes the eggs tucked under her hind legs. She can often be seen fanning them with her swimmerets to keep them oxygenated.
Egg Development and Hatching
The eggs, usually green, yellow or white, will develop over several weeks. It’s important to maintain stable water conditions during this time. If the mamma shrimp gets too stressed by major water or temperature changes, she can willingly drop the eggs, which will ultimately kill them. When the eggs hatch, the shrimplets emerge as tiny, fully formed versions of adult shrimp. They will often hide among plants and decorations until they grow larger.
How Can I Enhance Breeding Success?
Consistency, attention to detail, and good food are key to successful shrimp breeding. Here’s how to maximize your chances of success.
Stable Environment
Consistency is the most important piece. Keep water parameters, temperature, and feeding routines stable. Sudden changes can cause the shrimp to stress, leading to failed breeding. Regularly monitor your tank to catch any issues or illnesses early.
Selective Breeding, or Culling
Selective breeding is a technique where you choose shrimp with the best traits—such as color, size, or health—and breed only them (in their own tank). Alternatively, you can cull shrimp. This means you’re actively removing shrimp that do have the traits you want. Like their color is too transparent, or not yellow enough. Remove them from the tank, so they do not breed and spread their genetics. Over time, this will improve the quality of your shrimp colony.
Using Indian Almond Leaves
Add Indian Almond Leaves to your tank. They release tannins that slightly lower pH and provide antifungal and antibacterial properties to help prevent disease. These leaves also promote biofilm growth, offering a natural food source for shrimp. Shrimp will munch the leaves down to the sticks.
Choosing the Right Tank Mates
If you include other species in your tank, choose peaceful ones that won’t attack, eat, or stress the shrimp or their young. However, if you’re serious about breeding shrimp, a dedicated shrimp tank is recommended. You can have snails with them, but anything else will slow down the breeding process, even with the nicest fish coexisting with them.
Conclusion
Breeding Neocaridina shrimp can be a straightforward and rewarding process if you provide a good environment and consistent care. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can create a a success tank setup that encourages your shrimp to breed, thrive, and enjoy life. Remember, patience and consistency are key to shrimp breeding. It’s a gradual process, but with the proper setup and care, your colony will grow exponentially over time. Happy shrimp keeping!