Sunkist Orange Shrimp
Species Overview
Common Name: Sunkist Shrimp, Orange Shrimp, Orange Sakura Shrimp
Scientific Name: Neocaridina Davidi "Orange"
Genus: Neocaridina
Wild Origin: Asia
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 Sunkist Orange Shrimp is a vivid color variant of the Neocaridina family prized for its bright, citrus-like coloration. Originally developed through the selective breeding of the Red Cherry and Chocolate lines, the Sunkist Orange has become a very stable and popular variety. These freshwater shrimp display a range of orange tones, from a warm yellow-orange to a deep, fiery red-orange. Their solid, opaque color makes them pop brilliantly against green plants and dark aquarium backgrounds.
As with most freshwater shrimp in the Neocaridina genus, Sunkist Oranges are incredibly resilient and adaptable. They are tolerant of a wide range of water parameters and can thrive in both soft and hard water environments. This versatility makes them an excellent choice for a community shrimp tank.
Key Features & Important Notes
- Tank-raised specimen
- Bright, bold color and pattern
- 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 – 84°F
- pH: 7.0-7.5
- TDS: 200-300 ppm
- GH: 4-8 dGH
- KH: 3-15 dKH
Recommended Tank Size
5+ gallons, minimum. Tank size is relative and various factors should be considered when determining tank size. A larger volume is always helpful for maintaining stability, especially for those new to the hobby.
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
Sunkist Orange 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.