Blue Dream Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi
Also known as Blue Dream Neocaridina, Blue Diamond shrimp
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 64–82°F (18–28°C)
- pH
- 6.5–8.0
- Adult size
- 1.6 in (4 cm)
- Minimum tank
- 5 gal (20 L)
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Social
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Breeding
- Easy
- Rarity
- Common
- Origin
- A captive bred color line of the dwarf shrimp Neocaridina davidi, whose wild form lives in freshwater streams and ponds across eastern China and Taiwan.
- Family
- Atyidae
Overview
Keep a colony in 20 L or more of cycled, stable water at 18 to 28 C and a pH of 6.5 to 8.0. A planted tank with moss gives them grazing surfaces and cover for shrimplets. Safe tankmates are small, peaceful fish or other dwarf shrimp. Feed biofilm, algae, blanched vegetables and occasional prepared shrimp foods.
In the wild
Blue Dream is a solid, deep blue line of Neocaridina davidi, darker and more opaque than the paler blue velvet. It is a hardy dwarf shrimp that grazes constantly on biofilm and algae across plants and hardscape. Care is identical to any other Neocaridina color line. It shows best against a dark substrate in a planted tank.
Good to know
Blue Dream descends from the chocolate line of Neocaridina davidi, with the blue being a selected pigment effect fixed over many generations. All Neocaridina colors interbreed, and mixing lines tends to produce wild, brownish offspring, so keepers hold each color separately. Females carry a clutch of eggs under the tail, which keepers call being berried.
Did you know
Keeping Blue Dreams away from other Neocaridina colors matters, since crossbreeding quickly dilutes the blue back toward plain wild brown within a couple of generations.
Where to buy
Some links may not be the exact species or variety.
…or ask your local fish store.
Appears in
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Related species
Blue Velvet Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi1.6 in (4 cm)5 gal (20 L)59–84°F (15–29°C)
Cherry Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi1.6 in (4 cm)5 gal (20 L)59–84°F (15–29°C)
Orange Neocaridina
Neocaridina davidi1.6 in (4 cm)5 gal (20 L)59–84°F (15–29°C)
Yellow Neocaridina
Neocaridina davidi1.6 in (4 cm)5 gal (20 L)59–84°F (15–29°C)Bloody Mary Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi1.6 in (4 cm)5 gal (20 L)64–82°F (18–28°C)Chocolate Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi1.6 in (4 cm)5 gal (20 L)64–82°F (18–28°C)