What is a Shrimp “Skittle Tank”? How to Create and Maintain One

Table of Contents

• What is a Skittle Tank?
• How Do You Pick the Right Shrimp for a Skittle Tank?
• How Do You Set Up Your Skittle Tank?
• How Do You Care for Your Shrimp?
• What Happens When You Mix Different Shrimp in a Skittle Tank?
• What Are My Thoughts on the Skittle Tank?

What Exactly is a Skittle Tank?

Picture this. You have this tank full of little shrimp that look like they were hand-picked straight from a rainbow—reds, blues, yellows, greens. It is as if someone took a scoop of Skittles and tossed them right into your aquarium. That’s what we call a Skittle Tank. And let me tell you, if you love Neocaridina shrimp like I do, then a Skittle Tank is one of the coolest setups you can have. But—and here’s the thing—you need to know a bit more about shrimp genetics before jumping in headfirst to a shrimp skittle tank.

You see, throwing different shrimp colors together is fun at first, but if you let them breed, things might not end up the way you imagined. There’s this whole thing with shrimp colors reverting to their natural shades over time. So yeah, your tank might not look like a bag of Skittles forever, but that does not mean it will not be fun to create.

How Do You Pick the Right Shrimp for a Skittle Tank?

A Skittle Tank is pretty much what it sounds like—an aquarium where you mix different colored Neocaridina shrimp. These little critters come in every color you can think of: bright reds, deep blues, bold yellows, and greens that look like they popped out of some enchanted forest. Together, they turn your tank into a kaleidoscope of shrimp beauty. It is like art, but instead of paint, you use shrimp, and instead of a canvas, you have your aquarium.

Now, here is where it gets a bit tricky. Even though a Skittle Tank looks like a dream come true, you are not just tossing a bunch of colors together and calling it a day. These shrimp will breed, and when they do, that beautiful mix of colors starts fading with each generation. Why? Genetics, my friend. Genetics.

How Do You Set Up Your Skittle Tank?

Now that you’ve got your shrimp lined up, it is time to set up the tank. Think of it like setting the stage for the main act. If the stage looks off, the performance will fall flat, right? Same goes for your tank.

Here is the rundown:

• Tank Size: You want a tank big enough to give your shrimp space, but small enough to manage easily. I would go with at least a 10-gallon tank. It is the sweet spot. Your shrimp get plenty of room, and you can still keep the water quality stable without sweating it.
• Substrate: Go with something dark like Fluval Stratum. Trust me on this one, dark substrate will make your shrimp colors pop like fireworks on the Fourth of July. Reds get redder, blues look deeper, and yellows practically glow.
• Plants: Shrimp love plants, and not just for hiding. Plants like Java Moss and Anubias help keep the water clean and provide a natural look that complements all those shrimp colors. Floating plants like Frogbit give extra hiding spots, and shrimp will use them like playgrounds.
• Filtration: Use a sponge filter, something like the AquaClear Sponge Filter. You do not want a filter that will suck up your baby shrimp. That would be tragic. Sponge filters are gentle, shrimp-safe, and they keep the water clean without turning your tank into a whirlpool. You can find a great option here on Amazon.
• Water Parameters: Keep the water stable. Aim for a temperature around 72-78°F and a pH between 6.5 and 7.5. Shrimp like steady conditions, and regular water changes (about 20% weekly) will keep them happy. I always use Seachem Prime to condition the water and keep it free from harmful stuff.

How Do You Care for Your Shrimp?

Taking care of shrimp is not rocket science, which is part of the reason I love them so much. They are low maintenance but full of personality. Make sure you feed them the good stuff—like Hikari Shrimp Cuisine or Bacter AE. Both are top-notch choices that keep your shrimp healthy and full of color.

Be careful not to overfeed them though. Shrimp do not need much, and leftover food just dirties up the water, which leads to stress. And stressed shrimp are not happy shrimp. If you’re struggling with algae buildup, check out my guide on how to control and remove hair algae.

What Happens When You Mix Different Shrimp in a Skittle Tank?

Now, this is where things get a little scientific. When you mix different colored shrimp, their offspring will not always keep those colors. Neocaridina shrimp carry both dominant and recessive genes, so after a few rounds of breeding, you might find that your shrimp start to lose those vivid colors you worked so hard to create. More often than not, they will start reverting to a wild-type color—brown, clear, or somewhere in between.

Here is what happens:

1. First Generation: You will still get a lot of those colors you started with—reds, blues, yellows—but you might also notice a few shrimp that do not look quite right. Maybe a little duller, a little more muted.
2. Second and Third Generations: Over time, more and more shrimp will start looking wild. Brown, clear, or just plain boring. The colors you loved so much start disappearing, and before you know it, your Skittle Tank looks more like a pile of pebbles.
3. Long-Term: If you keep letting them breed without separating the colors, you will eventually lose those brilliant hues entirely. That is just how shrimp genetics work.

This is not a bad thing if you do not mind the wild look, but if you want to keep the rainbow alive, you will need to be a little more hands-on. Either separate your shrimp into different tanks or be ready to remove offspring that do not fit the color scheme.

What Are My Thoughts on the Skittle Tank?

I love the Skittle Tank idea. Watching those different colored shrimp swim around is like having a live painting in your house, and every time you look at it, you find something new to appreciate. But, like anything, it has its ups and downs. If you do not mind a little bit of color loss over time, go for it. Enjoy the process, enjoy the mix, and have fun. That is what shrimp keeping is all about, right?

And hey, if you are thinking about setting one up, swing by my shop. I have everything you need, from the shrimp themselves to the food and plants to keep them thriving. Drop a comment below if you have questions or want to share your own Skittle Tank stories. I would love to hear how your tanks are doing. Let us keep this hobby fun, colorful, and full of life!