Beginners guide to dwarf shrimp
Dwarf shrimps are gaining popularity among aquarists as interesting additions to natural biotopes and desktop aquariums. They are popular algae predators and generally scavengers, so they offer something valuable and truly unique, especially for aquarists. Dwarf shrimps have had a real boom in recent years, with a range of species for wholesalers, aquarists, breeders, and shrimp importers. The dwarf shrimp hobby is fast-growing, so it’s crucial to know of the shrimps’ existence and care. Dwarf freshwater shrimp, especially Neo shrimp, are becoming some of the most popularly bred species in aquariums. They are loved for their ease of care, and tolerance to wider ranges of water constraints, making them preferable for beginner projects to the Caridina shrimp species. If you are a new aquarist with a small nano-sized aquarium, consider stocking up with Neocaridina shrimp. Neocaridina is a genus of dwarf freshwater shrimp with various species like Cherry shrimp, Blue pearl shrimp, Snowball Shrimp, Neocaridina Blue Dream, and Yellow shrimp. Cherry shrimp is suitable for beginners as it’s easy to keep compared to others. Our Cherry shrimp care guide covers everything a first colony needs. This genus of shrimp has its origins in South-East Asia, where it inhabits ponds and streams with an abundance of plants. The ponds usually have rocks and wood acting as natural substrates.Breeding dwarf shrimp for beginners
Tank size requirements
Neocaridina shrimp usually have small bodies, and they have a small effect on an aquarium’s bio-load. They should be kept in species tanks as it makes it easy for you to target feed them, rather than when they are left to feed off leftovers. If you keep them in a small tank, ensure the tank is well-planted, and it has sufficient filtration like nano and pico aquariums not less than 15 l/3.3 gals. When choosing a tank size for your shrimp, remember that the bigger the tank, the better, so use the largest aquarium you can afford and comfortably fit the shrimp in. a big tank allows more water volume, which gives the shrimp more safe zones when there are concerns with temperatures and water quality changes. These sudden changes are fatal to dwarf shrimp, and small water bodies are the most susceptible to temperature rise and alteration of water quality.Water requirements of dwarf shrimp
The water requirements for dwarf shrimps vary depending on the different shrimp species. All varieties of dwarf shrimp require high water quality; otherwise, they are affected. Water with even the slightest traces of ammonia or nitrite could be fatal, and shrimps are intolerant to such conditions. Water with too much copper is also harmful to dwarf shrimps, so avoid using medications with traces, and soak new plants to rinse them off any traces of copper-based anti-snail treatments. However, small traces of copper are tolerable, as found in many plant foods and fertilizers in aquariums. Most Neocaridina shrimp species do well in medium to hard water with 6.5-.0 pH levels. If you are using soft water, you may need calcium supplements to help the shrimp make new skins during moulting. Regarding temperatures, most species are tolerant to temperatures as low as 18C/64F and even lower for shorter periods. The best conditions to breed these shrimps are, however, between 21-26C/70-79F. They breed and grow at faster rates in higher temperatures, but their lifespans are affected due to increased metabolic rates. If the water is warm, you need to compensate for the low amounts of dissolved oxygen and facilitate aeration.Types of dwarf shrimps
Dwarf shrimps have become very popular lately, and they come in a variety of patterns and colours. They are perfect for breeding in small spaces, the most popular species being Caradina and Neocaradina shrimp. Neocaradina shrimp colours and types include; Blue Velvet Neocaridina Shrimp, Fire Red Cherry Shrimp, Bloody Mary Shrimp, Yellow Neocaridina shrimp, and Snow Ball shrimp. There are also Rili shrimp varieties including Red Rili shrimp, Orange Rili shrimp, Blue Rili, Blue Carbon Rili shrimp). These creatures are easy to care for, and their interesting behaviour and variety make them ideal for beginner breeding projects. Caradina species include Blue Tiger shrimp, Blue bolt shrimp, Crystal Red/ Black shrimp, Babaulti shrimp, Panda shrimp, Amano shrimp, Bumblebee shrimp, and King Kong and Cardinal shrimp. They all have different tank chemistry requirements. For grading, water values and tank setup, see our comprehensive guide to keeping Crystal Red shrimp in the UK. It’s crucial to research what tank parameters are safe and suitable for the kind of shrimp you want to breed to ensure their compatibility.Differentiation according to Colours
Breeding of shrimp is getting popular because new colour varieties are being developed frequently, and you don’t necessarily need a big tank to start. There is more development of exciting shrimp colour varieties, and more aquarists are trying out shrimp keeping. Freshwater dwarf shrimp come in various colours except for purple, and they are a beautiful addition to your tank. Wild dwarf shrimp is usually transparent or greenish-brown in colour, but there have been generations of selective breeding, which has brought about a wide variety of colours and patterns. These include Dream Blue Velvet shrimp, orange Neocaridina shrimp, Black Neocaridina shrimp, purple Neocaridina, and Yellow Rili shrimp. Dwarf shrimp are assigned grades depending on how rare their pattern is and their colouration. There is a huge selection of dwarf shrimps on the market ranging in shape, size, and colours, but the most popular are; crystal red shrimp, Blue Velvet shrimp, Blue Dream shrimp, Neocaridina green jade shrimp, orange Sunkist shrimp, dwarf green, blue Neocaridina shrimp, Yellow Sakura shrimp, and Tiger shrimp.Differences in shrimp behaviour
The different species of dwarf shrimp are similar in many ways, but there are a few differences in their behaviour which should influence which type you choose to breed. Bee shrimp are tougher to breed than Neocaradina shrimp species. This is because the former are more sensitive to water variations and water quality, and they’ll need specific ranges of water values. Tiger shrimp require average care, so if you are looking for Neocaridina shrimp for sale, they are ideal for a beginner.What do they eat?
Dwarf shrimp are omnivores, and like all bottom feeders, they eat almost anything in their way. When breeding in the wild, they feed on biofilm, which mainly grows on surfaces. In aquariums, there isn’t enough biofilm for entire colonies of shrimp, so you have to ensure there’s enough food for all. Foods like Shrimp King Complete and Shrimp King Mineral are high-quality diets for dwarf shrimps. Dwarf shrimps require a diet that’s formulated according to their specific needs. This is because the majority of fish foods lack the proper nutrients and minerals that dwarf shrimp need. There are species like Amano or Algae eating shrimp and Orange Sakura shrimp that are used for cleaning up algae in tanks. Dwarf fish are cannibalistic and opportunistic feeders, and although they won’t cannibalize each other, they don’t miss the opportunity to feast on a dead friend’s exoskeleton for the minerals in it.How to determine the sex of dwarf shrimp
It is not easy to tell apart male and female dwarf shrimp, especially in small aquariums and spaces. However, if you keenly observe their underbellies, you can tell their gender. The female dwarf shrimp is more rounded and saddle-like to safely hold and protect their clamp of eggs. Male dwarf shrimps’ undersides have more swimmerets to help them swim with ease.The life cycle of dwarf shrimp
When female dwarf shrimp are expectant, they wave water over the eggs to keep them healthy and get rid of the bad ones till it’s time to hatch. The first sign that it’s time to hatch the eggs is if you notice little eyes inside them. When baby shrimp are born, they spend the first few days hiding and feeding on bio-film till they mature a little. They are seen foraging alongside their parents after a while, and they have rapid growth, so in a few weeks, you’ll notice them colouring up. They live around a year or two as long as they are bred in optimal water conditions. The life span of dwarf shrimp is affected by changes in temperatures as cold temperatures slow down metabolism, which causes a reduced growth rate. It’s common for dwarf shrimp to shed their exoskeleton every month, so don’t get worried when you come across floating shrimp-shaped exoskeletons in your tank. For dwarf shrimps to develop proper exoskeletons and shed them off when due, they require high-quality shrimp foods. These foods have high levels of chemicals like iodine and calcium, which help in this life cycle.Reproduction of dwarf shrimp
Dwarf shrimp breed rapidly under the right tank conditions, so you have to cull some out to allow more room and prevent them from being overwhelmed. When bred in high-quality water and fed healthily, you don’t have to worry about the breeding process. The baby shrimp can be bred in the same environment as the rest, and you don’t have to induce breeding. As long as there are male and female dwarf shrimp in your tank, there will be a reproduction. The first sign of breeding is saddling in females, which manifests with a yellow-greenish spot behind the head where eggs are stored till fertilization. When ready, the female transfers the eggs from the saddle to her back legs, where they are stored for 30 days. Breeding shrimp is fun, easy, and entertaining and a great project for aquarist hobbyists. Dwarf freshwater shrimps do best in well-planted aquariums with bogwood, stones, mosses, and many places to hide. The plants and additional decor offer shrimp hiding places, and they act as surfaces for bacteria and small organisms like algae to grow, which provides a food source for the shrimp. Browse our live freshwater shrimpFor more on keeping freshwater shrimp, see our guide to keeping dwarf Amano shrimp and our guide to Neocaridina shrimp colours.