Caridina vs Neocaridina Shrimp: Which Should You Start With?

Freshwater shrimp are fun to watch and easy to keep once you match them to your water. Most aquarium shrimp fall into two groups: Caridina and Neocaridina. They look alike, but they need different water. Here is how to choose.

The Quick Answer

• Neocaridina are hardy and a good choice for beginners.
• Caridina need soft, slightly acidic water and steady conditions.

Neocaridina Shrimp

Neocaridina handle a wider range of water, so they are the easiest to start with. They come in solid colors and breed readily in a planted tank.

• Blue Dream
• Bloody Mary

Caridina Shrimp

Caridina are more sensitive, but many keepers love their patterns and colors. They do best in soft, slightly acidic water.

• Crystal Red Shrimp (CRS)
• Blue Bolt
• Red Wine and King Kong
• Shadow Panda

Water Parameters

• Caridina: pH 6 to 6.5, KH 0 to 1, GH 4 to 6, and 67 to 78°F.
• Neocaridina: Hardier and fine in a wider range of water. Keep it stable.

Many Caridina keepers use a buffering substrate to hold pH steady. Test your water before you buy shrimp.

Care Tips for Both

• Keep water stable. Shrimp do not like sudden changes.
• Avoid copper. Copper medications are toxic to shrimp.
• Feed small portions once a day, and remove uneaten food.
• Add live plants so shrimp can hide and graze.
• Use a sponge filter. It is safe for baby shrimp. See our aquarium filters.

How to Acclimate Shrimp

Use slow drip acclimation. Shrimp are very sensitive to changes in water, so go slowly over an hour or more. Our tank cycling guide explains how to have the tank ready before shrimp go in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for beginners?

Neocaridina. They are hardier and forgive small mistakes.

Can Caridina and Neocaridina live together?

It is not recommended. They need different water, and they can crossbreed in some cases.

How many shrimp should I buy?

Start with a pack of 5 to 10 in a planted tank. They will breed once settled.

What do shrimp eat?

They graze on algae and biofilm, and they eat shrimp food and blanched vegetables.

Shop Shrimp From San Diego

Browse our Caridina and Neocaridina shrimp and our aquatic plants.