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Species profile

Snow Storm Shrimp

Neocaridina palmata

Common names: Snow Storm Shrimp, Snowstorm Shrimp, Snowstorm Neocaridina

Breeding lineNeocaridina Shrimp
Snow Storm Shrimp (Neocaridina palmata)

Adult size

Up to 3.5 cm

Typical adult length 2.5–3.5 cm.

Up to 3.5 cm

Countries of origin

  • See all stock from China
  • 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 selectively bred white Neocaridina line sold under the Snow Storm or Snowstorm trade name.

Appearance and Identification

Opaque to platinum-white coverage over a pale or translucent body, often with a strong light dorsal area.

Snow Storm is a trade breeding-line name rather than a formal taxonomic variety. It is commonly sold as Neocaridina palmata, but some sellers use other Neocaridina names; verify breeder lineage before mixing or making scientific claims.

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
20–23 °C
pH
5.8–6.6
GH
4–6
KH
0–1
TDS
90–140
Stability importance
Very important

Keep in soft, mildly acidic water with low KH. Stable remineralization and mature biofilm are essential for reliable moulting and juvenile survival.

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
Easy
Breeding temperature
22 °C
Breeding pH
7.2
Brood or egg count
Variable by female size and line
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, Vietnam
Natural habitat
Freshwater Stream, Pond, Slow River
Aquarium contexts
Freshwater Community, Nano Aquarium, Planted Tank, Shrimp Tank
Audience level
Beginner

Classification

Profile type
Breeding line
Genus
Neocaridina
Family
Atyidae
Species group
Neocaridina Shrimp

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