{"product_id":"blue-velvet-shrimp-neocaridina-davidi-freshwater","title":"Blue Velvet Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi)","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"background:#E3F2FD;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding:10px 14px;margin:0 0 14px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn-store pickup only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Your order is reserved, we hold off on bagging until you arrive so it stays healthy in its display tank.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eBlue Velvet Shrimp\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eNeocaridina davidi\u003c\/em\u003e) is the blue color line of the same easy dwarf shrimp as the Cherry, bred for a deep, rich blue with a soft velvet sheen. It is hardy, peaceful and always busy, picking over plants, wood and glass for biofilm and algae, cleaning up leftover food, and breeding readily in a stable tank. Females show the deepest blue, while males stay slimmer and lighter. Browse the rest of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/freshwater-invertebrates\"\u003efreshwater invertebrates\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/freshwater-aquarium-plants\"\u003elive aquarium plants\u003c\/a\u003e to build a shrimp tank around them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMature tank first:\u003c\/strong\u003e add shrimp only to a fully cycled tank that has been running for several weeks. Established tanks carry the biofilm shrimp graze on, and brand new tanks often do not.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAcclimate slowly:\u003c\/strong\u003e drip acclimate over an hour or more. Blue Velvets tolerate a wide range of water but not sudden swings in temperature, pH or hardness.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKeep a group:\u003c\/strong\u003e start with 10 or more for a good mix of males and females and a colony that keeps growing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMinerals matter:\u003c\/strong\u003e shrimp need some hardness to molt cleanly. Aim for 6 to 12 dGH. If you use RO or very soft tap water, remineralize with \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-equilibrium-gh-mineral-builder-planted\"\u003eSeachem Equilibrium\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNo copper:\u003c\/strong\u003e copper kills shrimp. Many fish medications and some plant fertilizers contain it, so read every label, and treat sick fish in a separate tank.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDeeper blue:\u003c\/strong\u003e a dark substrate such as \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/fluval-plant-and-shrimp-stratum\"\u003eFluval Plant \u0026amp; Shrimp Stratum\u003c\/a\u003e, plenty of plants and a varied diet bring out the strongest color. Stressed or newly moved shrimp often look pale for a few days, then color back up.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFilter intake:\u003c\/strong\u003e use a sponge filter or cover the intake with a sponge so shrimplets are not pulled in.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFeed lightly:\u003c\/strong\u003e a small pinch once a day or every other day. Remove leftovers after a couple of hours.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;margin:8px 0;\"\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"background:#E3F2FD;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eNeocaridina davidi\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAlso known as\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eBlue Velvet Shrimp, blue neocaridina\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"background:#E3F2FD;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eColor\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eDeep translucent to solid blue. Females deeper, males lighter\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"background:#E3F2FD;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003ePeaceful\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAdult size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eAbout 1 to 1.5 inches, females larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"background:#E3F2FD;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum tank\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e5 gallons, 10 or more preferred for stability\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e68 to 78°F\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"background:#E3F2FD;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e6.5 to 8.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGeneral hardness\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e6 to 12 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"background:#E3F2FD;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eOmnivore, biofilm and algae grazer plus shrimp foods\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e1 to 2 years, with a breeding colony carrying on\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"background:#E3F2FD;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eCaptive bred. Wild type from Taiwan and southern China\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlue Velvet Shrimp are completely peaceful and never bother fish, snails or plants. What matters is whether the tank mates will eat them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGreat with:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/amano-shrimp-caridina-multidentata-freshwater\"\u003eAmano Shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e, nerite snails such as the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/tiger-zebra-nerite-snail-vittina-freshwater\"\u003eTiger\/Zebra Nerite\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/batman-nerite-snail-neritina-auriculata-freshwater\"\u003eBatman Nerite\u003c\/a\u003e, and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/otocinclus-catfish-otocinclus-vittatus-freshwater-algae-eater\"\u003eOtocinclus\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGood with some losses:\u003c\/strong\u003e nano fish like \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/micro-tiger-rasbora-danio-erythromicron-freshwater\"\u003eMicro Tiger Rasboras\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/ember-tetra-hyphessobrycon-amandae-freshwater\"\u003eEmber Tetras\u003c\/a\u003e leave adults alone but will eat some shrimplets. Heavy moss and plant cover keeps the colony growing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOther Neocaridina colors:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/cherry-shrimp-neocaridina-davidi-freshwater\"\u003eCherry Shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/blue-diamond-shrimp-neocaridina-davidi-freshwater\"\u003eBlue Diamond\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/assorted-rili-shrimp-neocaridina-davidi-freshwater\"\u003eRili Shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e are the same species and will crossbreed with Blue Velvets. They live together fine, but mixed offspring lose their color over generations, so keep each color in its own tank if you want them to breed true.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAvoid:\u003c\/strong\u003e cichlids, angelfish, gouramis, goldfish, loaches, and any fish big enough to swallow a 1 inch shrimp. Bettas are hit or miss and often hunt shrimp.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eRecommended Foods \u0026amp; Supplies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-shrimp-cuisine\"\u003eHikari Shrimp Cuisine\u003c\/a\u003e sinking staple sized for dwarf shrimp\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-nutridiet-shrimp-flakes-probiotic\"\u003eSeachem NutriDiet Shrimp Flakes\u003c\/a\u003e to rotate in for variety and color\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/java-moss-taxiphyllum-barbieri-freshwater-moss\"\u003eJava Moss\u003c\/a\u003e nursery cover for shrimplets and a biofilm farm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/fluval-plant-and-shrimp-stratum\"\u003eFluval Plant \u0026amp; Shrimp Stratum\u003c\/a\u003e dark substrate that makes blue shrimp pop\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-bacto-surge-foam-filter-sponge-freshwater-saltwater\"\u003eHikari Bacto-Surge Foam Filter\u003c\/a\u003e shrimp safe filtration for breeding tanks\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is the difference between Blue Velvet and Blue Diamond?\u003c\/strong\u003e Both are blue lines of the same shrimp. Blue Velvet tends toward a deep blue with some see-through areas, while Blue Diamond is bred for a more solid, opaque blue. Care is identical.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy are some of mine paler than others?\u003c\/strong\u003e Males are naturally lighter and slimmer than females. Color also fades with stress, after a move or on a very light substrate, and usually returns once they settle in.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill the babies be blue?\u003c\/strong\u003e Most will be. Like every color line, a colony throws some lighter or wild-colored babies, so remove those over time if you want the blue to stay strong.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow many should I buy?\u003c\/strong\u003e Start with 10 or more so you have both sexes and a colony that grows on its own.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre they easy to breed?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes. Females carry eggs under the tail for about a month, and the babies hatch as tiny fully formed shrimp. In a mature tank with moss and no shrimp eating fish, the colony takes care of itself.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48152013701339,"sku":"280072","price":5.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/blue-velvet-shrimp-generated-representative.png?v=1792624375","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/blue-velvet-shrimp-neocaridina-davidi-freshwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}