Parameters
pH: 6.5 – 8
GH: 4 – 8
KH: 3 – 15
EC: 400 – 600 microsiemens
TDS: 150 – 250
Temperature: 20°C – 25°C / 68F – 77F
Facts
Lifespan: 1-2 years, Origin: Eastern China and Northern Taiwan, Adult size: 30mm/1.2 inch, Minimum tank size: 20 L / 5 US gallons
Appearance
Blue dream shrimp have a dark blueish-transparent body The intensity of the blue colour can vary, with some shrimp being so dark they almost appear black, while others may have more muted colours.
Care
The most important for any aquatic species in an aquarium is having a cycled aquarium. If you don’t know what this is, you should read How to cycle a shrimp aquarium before continuing.
Even though shrimps have a low bioload it is still important to provide adequate filtration. Sponge filters are the most commonly used as a filter. Other options are a ‘hang-on-the-back’ filter and canister filters. These last ones can also be used if the filter’s inlet is protected from sucking up any (baby) shrimp. For C. cantonensis species an under-gravel filter (UGF) is also recently becoming a popular choice because it can help save soil costs. You can find out which filter best suits your needs here.
Water Parameters
Blue dream shrimp are a lot easier to keep than Caridina cantonensis species because of their wide range of water parameters. It is more important to strive for stable conditions within the optimal/tolerable range.
Neocaridina shrimp prefer a pH range of 6.5-8.0, with a pH of 7.0 being ideal. It is important to monitor pH levels regularly and make adjustments as necessary to maintain optimal conditions for the shrimp.
Water hardness is another important consideration when keeping Neocaridina shrimp. These shrimp prefer water that is moderately hard, with a total dissolved solids (TDS) level of 150-250 ppm. It is important to maintain a stable TDS level, as sudden changes can stress the shrimp and make them more susceptible to disease.
Another important water parameter to consider when keeping Neocaridina shrimp is the temperature. These shrimp thrive in a temperature range of 22-25°C (70-78°F). It is important to maintain a stable temperature in this range, as sudden fluctuations can stress the shrimp and make them more susceptible to disease.
Lastly, it is important to monitor levels of ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate in the aquarium water. High levels of ammonia and nitrite can be toxic to shrimp, while high levels of nitrate can lead to water quality issues. Regular water changes and maintenance can help keep these levels in check.
Tank Size
Following their need for stable water parameters, it’s advised to go with a bigger aquarium so that the conditions as consistent as possible. As a result the minimum tank size for a group of blue dream shrimp is 20 L (5 us gallons). The stocking density has been shown to be more optimal with 2-4 adult shrimp per 1 litre (0,26 gallons) of water.
Habitat
While these shrimp can breed and thrive in a bare substrate aquarium, it is always better to keep in mind their original habitat has several natural hiding spaces. It’s important to remember that shrimp are still prey animals and can have higher stress levels if they cannot have access to hiding spaces.
When shrimp molt it takes a while for their new shell to harden, so they are very vulnerable and like to hide during this time. Thus, a planted tank is preferred as the plants provide shelter, lots of surface area for biofilm to grow, and they also help with keeping the water parameters stable by absorbing some of the produced nitrates.
Diet
Blue dream shrimp are, like all Neocaridina shrimp, omnivores and will eat almost anything, including other dead shrimp or fish. They love to eat biofilm and algae which are naturally occurring in an aquarium. However, this isn’t enough food, and needs to be supplemented if you really want your colony to thrive. There are a lot of varieties of shrimp food on the market:
- Pellets
- Powder (bacterial)
- Snowflakes
- Leaves
- Blanched vegetables
Overall, it is important to provide a varied and nutritionally balanced diet to insure their health and well-being.
Tank Mates
Generally, anything that can live in the same water parameters can be a tank mate. But be careful if you want to breed with your shrimp. Some fish love to have a baby shrimp as a treat! A rule of thumb is that if a fish’s mouth is big enough to fit a baby shrimp (shrimplet) or even an adult shrimp, it will probably eat it.
Most fishes’ diet includes crustaceans and that means our beloved shrimp are part of their menu. But shrimp and fish can certainly be tank mates, if you choose small non-aggressive fish like Chili Rasboras, Ember tetras and Neon tetras. Also provide a lot of hiding spaces so your shrimps feel safe.
It is even possible to have Caridina shrimp in the same tank as your blue dream shrimp if they were born in the right water parameters. Since they are completely different species they won’t interbreed. Keeping other Neocaridina davidi together with blue dreams will result in an eventual return to wild colours.
Snails are a great addition to a shrimp tank as they will eat any leftover food, but be careful as some species will exponentially grow if you overfeed!
Breeding
It is highly advisable to not keep any other fish in the aquarium if you want to breed. Other than keeping the water parameters stable your shrimps do not have any extra needs in order for them to breed. It is best to start with a group of at the minimum 10 but preferably 20 or more, the bigger the starting group the lower the chances of inbreeding and genetic defects to occur. Equally important is having a good male-to-female ratio in your shrimp tank, the ideal ratio is 3 females for every male shrimp.
A berried shrimp (a female carrying fertilised eggs) will carry between 20 to 30 eggs that she will fan between her pleopods to provide them with fresh oxygenated water and keep them clean. After about 25-35 days the eggs will hatch, unlike the Amano shrimp, blue dream shrimp don’t have a larval stage. The baby shrimp, also called shrimplets, will look like a tiny copy of its parents.
