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Species profile

Blue Zebra Shrimp

Neocaridina davidi

Common names: Blue Zebra Shrimp, Blue Zebra Neocaridina

Pattern varietyNeocaridina Shrimp

Adult size

Up to 4 cm

Typical adult length 3–4 cm.

Up to 4 cm

Countries of origin

  • See all stock from China
  • See all stock from South Korea
  • See all stock from Taiwan
  • See all stock from Vietnam

Good fit for your tank?

Good fit for

  • Mature planted aquarium setups
  • Beginner shrimp keepers
  • Peaceful nano aquariums
  • Breeding colonies

Think carefully if

  • The aquarium contains shrimp-eating fish
  • The tank is newly cycled
  • You want to preserve another Neocaridina colour line
  • Water conditions change frequently

A striped blue Neocaridina davidi trade line sold under the Blue Zebra name.

Appearance and Identification

Blue body colour with lighter or darker longitudinal or broken stripe-like markings that create a zebra-style appearance.

Blue Zebra is not a standardized formal variety name. Some sellers use it for selected striped Neocaridina davidi, while other stock may be labeled differently. Confirm the seller's species and lineage.

Females are generally larger and have a broader abdomen used to carry eggs.

Tank Requirements

Suggested filter
About 80–100 litres an hour
Suggested heater
About 25–50 W for this tank
Minimum tank volume
20 litres
Minimum tank length
30 cm
Minimum group size
6
Recommended group size
10
Activity level
Moderate
Flow preference
Variable
Planting preference
Heavily planted
Hiding places
Yes
Jumping risk
Low

Use a mature, stable aquarium with biofilm, plant cover, protected filter intakes, and gentle flow. These shrimp are hardy, but new tanks, copper in water or medication, and sudden changes are the usual causes of loss.

Behaviour and Tankmates

Peaceful and continuously active as a surface grazer.

Not a schooling species, but normally kept as a colony.

Not normally territorial.

Small fish may consume shrimplets.

Check tankmates for this species

Water Parameters

Temperature
20–25 °C
pH
6.2–7.4
GH
4–8
KH
1–5
TDS
100–190
Stability importance
Very important

Keep in cool, clean, oxygen-rich water with stable moderate mineral content. Avoid prolonged high temperatures and rapid shifts in dissolved solids.

Parameter caveat
Stable conditions and careful acclimation matter more than repeatedly adjusting water to chase exact values.

Feeding

Diet types
Aufwuchs Grazer, Detritivore, Omnivore
Feeding frequency
Daily
Preferred foods
  • Mature biofilmPrimary grazing resource.
  • Soft algae growthGrazed from aquarium surfaces.
  • Leaf litterProvides grazing surface and decomposing material.
  • Prepared shrimp foodFeed sparingly.

An opportunistic grazer and detritivore consuming biofilm, algae, decomposing plant material, leaf litter, microorganisms, and other organic material.

Avoid leaving excess food in the aquarium.

Breeding

Breeding type
Direct Developer
Breeding difficulty
Very easy
Breeding temperature
22 °C
Breeding pH
7.2
Brood or egg count
Approximately 43–60 eggs
Incubation
18 days
Parental care
Maternal care
Baby foods
  • Mature biofilmContinuous food for hatchlings.
  • Fine powdered shrimp foodUse sparingly.

Females carry eggs beneath the abdomen until hatching. Development is direct, and hatchlings emerge as miniature shrimp.

Habitat and Origin

Geographic origin
Asia, China, South Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam
Natural habitat
Freshwater Stream, Pond, Slow River
Aquarium contexts
Freshwater Community, Nano Aquarium, Planted Tank, Shrimp Tank
Audience level
Beginner

Classification

Profile type
Pattern variety
Genus
Neocaridina
Family
Atyidae
Species group
Neocaridina Shrimp
Previous scientific names
Neocaridina heteropoda, Historical name still found in older aquarium-trade material., Neocaridina denticulata sinensis, Historical name used in older literature and hobby references.

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