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Variety of Neocaridina shrimp

Blueberry shrimp

Neocaridina davidi

One of 11 varieties of Neocaridina davidi · See all varieties →

Also known as Blueberry Neocaridina

FreshwaterShrimp

Blueberry shrimp (Neocaridina davidi)

Varieties · Neocaridina davidi

See all 11 →

Care at a glance

Temperature
59–84°F
15–29°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
Egg carrier · Easy
Rarity
Common
Family
Atyidae
Origin
Selectively bred; wild type from Taiwan and eastern China

Overview

The blueberry shrimp is one of the easiest invertebrates to keep and a good first shrimp. It is a peaceful grazer for a small planted freshwater tank.

Did you know

The blueberry shrimp is the same species as every other Neocaridina color in the shop. Under the blue, it is the same animal as the cherry shrimp.

Caring for the blueberry shrimp

Keep blueberry shrimp in a colony of ten or more, with small, peaceful fish or other dwarf shrimp as tank mates. A cycled, planted tank of 5 gal (20 L) or larger suits them, with moss and leaf litter to graze and hide in. They spend their time on the bottom, grazing biofilm off every surface.

They handle 59 to 84°F (15 to 29°C) and a pH of 6.5 to 8.0. They are tolerant, but stable water matters more than any particular number. Never dose copper-based treatments in their tank.

Feed sparingly, with a little algae wafer or blanched vegetable a few times a week. Blueberry shrimp molt as they grow, and a shrimp that has just molted hides until the new shell hardens. They eat the cast shells for their minerals.

Females grow larger than males and carry 20 to 40 eggs under the tail for three to four weeks. The young hatch as fully formed miniature shrimp with no larval stage, so the colony breeds on its own in fresh water. Keep one color line per tank, since a Blueberry crossed with any other Neocaridina reverts to wild-type brown within a couple of generations.

Good to know

The blueberry shrimp is a selectively bred color line of Neocaridina davidi, a dwarf shrimp in the family Atyidae. It is also sold as the Blueberry Neocaridina.

In the wild

Wild Neocaridina davidi live in streams and ponds in Taiwan and eastern China. The water there runs cool to warm and moderately hard.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The blueberry shrimp is a peaceful, social species that keeps to the bottom. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

Is a blueberry shrimp a different species from the Neocaridina shrimp?

No. A blueberry shrimp is a variety of the Neocaridina shrimp, Neocaridina davidi, and it wants the same tank, water and food as the species.

What size tank does a blueberry shrimp need?

A blueberry shrimp needs at least 5 gal (20 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What does a blueberry shrimp eat?

A blueberry shrimp grazes biofilm off every surface in the tank. Feed it sparingly, with a little algae wafer or blanched vegetable a few times a week.

How big does a blueberry shrimp get?

An adult blueberry shrimp reaches about 1.6 in (4 cm).

How can you tell a male blueberry shrimp from a female?

Female blueberry shrimp grow larger than males. A female with eggs carries them under her tail.

How does a blueberry shrimp breed?

A female blueberry shrimp carries 20 to 40 eggs under her tail for three to four weeks. The young hatch as fully formed shrimp with no larval stage, so a colony grows on its own in fresh water.

Related species