Dream Blue Shrimp

fish description – Dream Blue Shrimp Care Guide ($Neocaridina\ davidi$ ‘Blue Dream’ Strain)

Category	Detail
Scientific Name	$Neocaridina\ davidi$ (‘Blue Dream’ Strain)
Common Name	Dream Blue Shrimp, Blue Velvet Shrimp, Blue Diamond Shrimp
Origin	Taiwan and China (Selectively Bred Strain)
Adult Size	1–1.5 inches (2.5–4 cm)
Temperament	Extremely peaceful, non-aggressive, active scavenger
Lifespan	1–2 years (up to 3 years in cooler, stable conditions)
Care Level	Easy (Hardy and high tolerance for water parameters)

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Appearance and Sexual Differences

 

• Short Description: A small, delicate crustacean with a compact body entirely covered in a rich, opaque deep blue color. They are tireless grazers and are highly sought after for the visual contrast they provide against green aquarium plants.
• Coloration: The intensity is a solid blue that covers the entire body and legs (Blue Velvet and Blue Dream are often used interchangeably to describe this shade). Females are typically larger, more intensely colored, and have a broader tail to carry eggs. Males are smaller and usually have a slightly paler blue color.
• Fins: N/A (Crustacean). Females carry a clutch of yellow/green eggs under their abdomen (“berried”).
• Behavior: Highly social; thrives in colonies. They are constantly scavenging on biofilm, detritus, and algae. They are non-destructive to plants and prolifically breed in suitable, stress-free environments.

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Tank Requirements and Water Parameters

 

• Minimum Tank Size: 5 gallons (19 liters) is the minimum, but a 10-gallon tank or larger is strongly recommended for water stability and colony health.
• Schooling: Must be kept in a colony of at least 10 individuals to encourage natural behavior and breeding success.
• Temperature: Wide tolerance range: $65^\circ$–$80^\circ\text{F}\ (18^\circ$–$27^\circ\mathrm{C})$ (ideal $72^\circ$–$76^\circ\text{F}$). Stable temperature is crucial for molting.
• pH Level: Tolerant of a wide range, but prefer slightly alkaline and moderately hard water: 6.5 to 8.0. Zero Ammonia and Nitrite are mandatory.
• Aquascape: Requires a mature, fully cycled tank. Use a dark substrate to make the blue color pop. Provide abundant live mosses (Java Moss is ideal), driftwood, and botanicals to encourage biofilm growth and offer essential hiding spots, especially for newly molted adults and shrimplets. Use a sponge filter or protect the filter intake.

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Diet and Feeding

 

The Dream Blue Shrimp is an omnivorous scavenger/grazer.

• Staple Diet: Feeds constantly on naturally occurring biofilm, microalgae, and detritus. Supplementation is essential.
• Supplementation: Calcium and protein are crucial. Supplement 2–3 times weekly with shrimp-specific sinking pellets (high in calcium/minerals), blanched vegetables (zucchini, spinach), and spirulina wafers. Offer occasional protein (bloodworms) sparingly.
• Schedule: Feed very small portions 2–3 times per week, ensuring food is consumed within a few hours. Never overfeed, as decaying food can quickly cause fatal water quality issues.

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Compatibility

 

• Caution: Copper is lethal and must be avoided in all tank products. Avoid all fish with mouths large enough to eat the shrimp (most fish species). Avoid mixing with other colors of $Neocaridina$, as the resulting offspring will likely revert to wild, less desirable brown coloration.
• Good Tank Mates: Peaceful fish and invertebrates. Examples include Snails (Nerite, Mystery), Otocinclus catfish, Pygmy Corydoras, Ember Tetras, and Chili Rasboras. Species-only tanks are highly recommended for breeding success.