Tankwise

A hardy, vivid blue colour form of the cherry shrimp, easy in a planted nano tank.

  • Temperature18–26 °C
  • pH6.5–8
  • Minimum tank20 L
  • DifficultyBeginner

Behaviour and habits

The blue dream shrimp is a striking blue colour form of the cherry shrimp, and it is just as hardy and easy to keep. It grazes constantly on algae and biofilm, hiding to moult and breeding readily once settled, and it brings a vivid splash of blue to a planted nano tank. Like cherry shrimp it is peaceful and best kept in a group, and it does well without any fish that would eat it.

What to feed, and how often

It grazes on algae and biofilm and needs little extra food; offer a shrimp food or a blanched spinach leaf once or twice a week in a clean tank, and remove anything uneaten. Overfeeding fouls the water and harms the shrimp.

Water changes and maintenance

Change 10–15% weekly or fortnightly, dripped in slowly, and keep the water stable. Like other Neocaridina shrimp, it tolerates old water far better than sudden changes, and it dislikes copper.

Care and how easy it is

Easy and hardy once the tank is mature; keep a group, keep the water stable, and avoid fish that see the shrimp as food.

Common health problems

Failed moults and bacterial infections from unstable water; hardy otherwise.

If it gets sick

Keep GH and temperature stable, and never use copper-based medicines, which are lethal to shrimp.

Good tank mates

GuppyBeginner with population planning
GuppyPoecilia reticulata
  • 22-26 C
  • pH 7.0-8.5
  • 60 L+; 60 x 30 cm base
Livebearers | Social; males pursue females | Omnivore
PlatyBeginner
PlatyXiphophorus maculatus
  • 20–26°C
  • pH 7–8.2
  • 50 L+
Livebearers · Peaceful · Omnivore
Neon tetraIntermediate; stable group aquarium
Neon tetraParacheirodon innesi
  • 21-25 C
  • pH 6.0-7.5
  • 60 L+; 60 x 30 cm base
Tetras & rasboras | Peaceful shoaler | Omnivore
CorydorasBeginner
CorydorasCorydoras paleatus
  • 20–26°C
  • pH 6–7.8
  • 60 L+
Catfish · Peaceful · Omnivore
Harlequin rasboraBeginner
Harlequin rasboraTrigonostigma heteromorpha
  • 22–27°C
  • pH 6–7.5
  • 60 L+
Tetras & rasboras · Peaceful · Omnivore

Best avoided with

Similar species

Cherry shrimpBeginner
Cherry shrimpNeocaridina davidi
  • 18–26°C
  • pH 6.5–8
  • 20 L+
Shrimp & snails · Peaceful · Omnivore
Amano shrimpIntermediate
Amano shrimpCaridina multidentata
  • 15-28 C published range
  • pH 6.0-8.0
  • 40 L or more for a small group; editorial starting plan
Shrimp & snails | Group-living grazer | Omnivore
Crystal red shrimpAdvanced
Crystal red shrimpCaridina cantonensis
  • 20–24°C
  • pH 5.8–6.8
  • 20 L+
Shrimp & snails · Peaceful · Omnivore

Compare at a glance

ParametersBlue dream shrimpCherry shrimpAmano shrimpCrystal red shrimp
Parameters
Temp18–26 °C18–26 °C20–27 °C20–24 °C
pH6.5–86.5–86.5–7.55.8–6.8
GH4–15 °dGH4–15 °dGH5–15 °dGH4–8 °dGH
Min. tank20 L20 L20 L20 L
Size3 cm3 cm5 cm3 cm
DietOmnivoreOmnivoreOmnivoreOmnivore
TemperamentPeacefulPeacefulPeacefulPeaceful
DifficultyBeginnerBeginnerBeginnerAdvanced

Care guides

GuideThe Best Beginner Aquarium PlantsLive plants are not hard — some are almost unkillable. These easy, low-light species use up waste, look natural and give fish cover, with no special equipment.GuideHow Often Should You Change Aquarium Water?Water changes remove waste that the filter cannot, and keep minerals topped up. There is no single number, but there is a simple way to find yours.GuideHow to Lower Nitrate in an AquariumNitrate is the quiet end of the nitrogen cycle. It is far less toxic than ammonia, but it builds up and is the usual reason algae wins. Here is how to bring it down.GuideYour First Aquarium: A Complete Beginner's GuideEverything a new keeper needs, in order: choosing a tank, cycling it, stocking, feeding, and the weekly routine that keeps fish healthy.

New to the words? See the aquarium glossary.

Sources and research notes

Parameters are typical ranges for the species in home aquariums and vary with the individual fish and the water you use.