Blue Dream Shrimp

Species Overview

Common Name:  Blue Dream Shrimp
Scientific Name: Neocaridina Davidi "Blue Dream"
Genus:   Neocaridina
Wild Origin: Asia (Selective Breed)
Adult Size: 1.25in

**Note: All livestock orders will come carefully packaged with solid wall Styrofoam insulation and shipped via 1-day shipping only. No additional insulation is needed for your livestock.

The Blue Dream Shrimp is a fan-favorite for a reason: its stunning, deep sapphire-blue coloration is nearly unrivaled. These freshwater shrimp are selectively bred for a rich, dark, and opaque blue that remains consistent across the entire body. Historically descending from the Black Carbon and Chocolate lines, they bring a sense of depth and luxury to any shrimp aquarium, providing a gorgeous contrast against light-colored sands or bright green carpeting plants.

As members of the Neocaridina genus, they are exceptionally hardy, making them the perfect choice for hobbyists who want high-end color without the difficulty of sensitive Caridina species. They are active, social, and function as a highly efficient clean-up crew, spending their time grazing on biofilm and algae to keep your shrimp tank pristine.

Key Features & Important Notes

• Tank-raised specimen
  
• Opaque, midnight-blue pigmentation that pops in any aquascape.
• Very resilient and tolerant of various water types and temperatures.
  
• To increase survival rates, please allow 2-3 business days after placing an order to properly prepare live animal shipments

Recommended Water Parameters

Listed information should be treated as general guidelines only. We encourage you to do thorough research before committing to keeping any livestock.

• Temperature Range:   65-80°F
• pH:   7.2-7.6
• TDS:   250-300 ppm
• GH:   4-8
• KH:   3-15

Recommended Tank Size

5+ gallons, minimum. Tank size is relative and various factors should be considered when determining tank size. Because they are social and breed readily, a 10-gallon tank is ideal for supporting a growing and thriving colony.

Diet

Omnivorous. Shrimp are natural scavengers that constantly consume detritus, diatoms, and organic waste. Supplement their diet with high-quality vegetable-based shrimp pellets, spirulina wafers, and blanched vegetables. Adding textured hardscape like lava rock to your shrimp aquarium is highly recommended to maximize the surface area available for beneficial biofilm growth.

Breeding

Blue Dream Shrimp are eager and prolific breeders when provided with stable water parameters and an abundance of food. Once mature, males are visibly smaller, while females feature a larger underbelly and a "saddle" behind the head where unfertilized eggs are held. We recommend starting with 8–10 specimens to guarantee a proper mix of sexes.

The breeding cycle triggers when a fertile female molts and releases pheromones. After mating, she becomes "berried," carrying the eggs through a 2-week gestation period. The resulting fry are fully self-sufficient, consuming the same biofilm and algae as adults. Be sure to leave molted shells in the tank so the fry can ingest the calcium and minerals needed to fuel their frequent growth molts.

Note that keeping shrimp with fish or aggressive tankmates can hinder reproduction; providing plenty of hiding spots and mosses is essential to make them feel secure enough to breed.

Team Buce Plant Tips

If you're new to the hobby, learn the fundamentals with our Freshwater Aquarium Shrimp Care Guide . Before introducing your new livestock into a new tank, learn about the perfect drip rate and timing in 7 Easy Steps to Drip Acclimate Shrimp and Fish . Whether you need active soil or inert sand, you can find the perfect fit to stabilize your parameters in our Best Substrate for Shrimp Guide . When your tank is balanced and your colony is thriving, check out our step-by-step breakdown on How to Breed Freshwater Shrimp.