Yellow Goldenback Shrimp
Common Name: Yellow Goldenback Shrimp, Golden Shrimp, Yellow Shrimp, 24K Golden Shrimp
Scientific Name: Neocaridina Davidi "Yellow"
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 Yellow Goldenback is a premium color morph of the Neocaridina family, distinguished by its intense neon-yellow body and a striking, opaque stripe running down its back. This variety is the result of years of selective breeding; originally descending from the same lineage as Red Cherry Shrimp, breeders selected for dark "Chocolate" traits before isolating this vivid yellow pigmentation. This freshwater shrimp offers superior color density that is bright against dark substrates or heavy leaf litter in a shrimp tank.
These aquatic pets are famous for their adaptability, making them the ideal choice for beginners and seasoned hobbyists alike. Unlike sensitive Caridina species, Yellow Goldenbacks are tolerant to a fairly wide range of water parameters, making them excellent for pairing with other species. They are tireless scavengers, spending their time cleaning the shrimp aquarium by grazing on biofilm and algae. Their hardy nature and bold color make them a functional and aesthetic "powerhouse" for any community tank.
Check out our guide on the different substrates that can help achieve ideal water parameters for these shrimp: Best Substrate for Shrimp.
Key Features & Important Notes
- Tank-raised specimen
- Bright, bold color and pattern
- Shrimp are excellent scavengers and will happily feed on biofilm, decaying plant matter, and algae
- 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: 7.0-7.6
- 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 active and social, a larger colony in a 10-20 gallon tank creates a more dynamic visual display and ensures long-term water stability.
Diet
Algae, biofilm, diatoms, decaying plant matter, spirulina powder, bee pollen, plant-based shrimp pellets/wafers, blanched vegetables
Breeding
Yellow Goldenbacks are prolific and eager breeders. Sexing becomes straightforward once they reach maturity; females are notably larger than the males and display a visible green or yellow "saddle" behind the head, where eggs are stored before fertilization. To ensure a successful colony, we recommend starting with 8–10 shrimp to guarantee a healthy mix of male and female pairs.
When female shrimp have eggs available for fertilization, they will molt and release pheromones that the male shrimp respond to with frenzy. Once fertilized, the female becomes "berried," carrying the eggs under her tail for a gestation period of approximately 2–3 weeks. During this time, she will constantly fan the eggs to keep them oxygenated until they hatch into fully formed, miniature versions of the adults.
The shrimp fry will feed from the same food sources as adult shrimp and will molt frequently during their early life stages. Leave molted shells in the tank, as the shrimp fry will consume them for extra minerals like calcium that will help their growth.
Keep in mind that if you are keeping shrimp with other species of fish, or possibly aggressive shrimp species, this may affect reproduction. If the shrimp feel threatened or don’t have places in your tank to hide, they may not breed.
Check out our blog article to learn how to breed freshwater shrimp.