Top 5 Beginner Friendly Neocaridina Shrimp
Thinking of diving into the shrimp-keeping hobby? 🦐 Neocaridina shrimp are the perfect place to start! They’re colourful, hardy, and full of quirky personality (don’t be surprised if you catch them doing a shrimp conga line on your moss ball). Whether you’re building your first shrimp tank or adding to a peaceful nano aquascape, these beginner-friendly picks will make your tank pop with colour and charm.
1. Cherry Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi Red)
🌈 Colour: Bright red from soft cherry to fiery crimson
💡 Why they’re great: The OG of shrimp keeping! Cherry Shrimp are hardy, active, and breed like little underwater rabbits. A solid choice for first-time keepers.
👍 Best for: Beginners who want colour, simplicity, and instant shrimp joy.
2. Blue Velvet Shrimp
🌈 Colour: Deep, velvety blue
💡 Why they’re great: These stunners look amazing against green plants and dark gravel. Just as easy to care for as Cherry Shrimp, but they bring that cool, collected blue vibe.
👍 Best for: Anyone who wants their shrimp to look like tiny underwater royals.
3. Tangerine Orange or Green Rili Shrimp
🌈 Colour: Bright orange or translucent green with bold colour patches
💡 Why they’re great: Both are active, hardy, and bring unique flair to your tank. Green Rili shrimp, with their ghost shrimp meets neon glowstick look, are showstoppers.
👍 Best for: Shrimp fans who like variety and a little extra wow without extra work.
4. Yellow Goldenback Shrimp
🌈 Colour: Vivid yellow with a glowing golden stripe along the back
💡 Why they’re great: These cheerful little guys are easy to spot and just as beginner-friendly as their red and blue cousins. Like little rays of sunshine scooting around your tank.
👍 Best for: Aquascapers who love bright colours and happy vibes.
5. Jade or Emerald Green Shrimp
🌈 Colour: Solid jade to shimmering emerald
💡 Why they’re great: Slightly less common, but just as beginner-safe. These greens blend beautifully into planted tanks, bringing a natural, forest feel to your setup.
👍 Best for: Nature lovers or collectors wanting something a little different without the stress.
🐾 Beginner Shrimp Tank Tips
Want your new Neocaridina friends to thrive? Keep these basics in mind:
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🐟 Tank size: Minimum 5 gallons (around 19 litres), though 10+ gallons (38+ litres) offers better water stability
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🌡️ Temperature: 18–23°C
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🧪 pH: 6.4–7.6
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⚠️ No copper: Double-check fertilisers and meds—shrimp + copper = bad news
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🍽️ Feed light: Shrimp graze all day—biofilm is their buffet. Use shrimp pellets or powders sparingly.
Final Thoughts
Neocaridina shrimp are the gateway to a surprisingly addicting hobby (don’t say we didn’t warn you). They're hardy, peaceful, and their rainbow of colours means there’s a shrimp for every kind of aquascaper. Whether you're team Cherry, Blue Velvet, or all about those Green Rilis, you really can’t go wrong.
Ready to start your shrimp journey? [Check out our Neocaridina shrimp Freshwater shrimp at Shrimp Cove with high quality standard, here in the UK for healthy, home-raised Neocaridina shrimp that are beginner-friendly and ready to ship straight to your tank. Your future shrimp colony awaits!