Neocaridina vs Caridina: Which Shrimp is Right for Your Aquarium?
Freshwater shrimp for aquariums largely fall into two genera: Neocaridina and Caridina. The difference not only determines their color but also their water parameter requirements – and thus whether they are suitable for your aquarium.
Neocaridina: The Robust Starter
Neocaridina species are the most commonly kept shrimp in the world, and for good reason. They are colorful, reproduce easily, and are tolerant of a reasonable range of water parameters.
- GH: 6-8
- KH: 3-8
- pH: 6.5-8.0
- Temperature: 18-28°C
Popular Neocaridina species from our range:
- Fire Red Shrimp - bright red, the best-selling color variant
- Yellow Shrimp (Yellow Fire) - radiant yellow
- Orange Shrimp - warm orange, ideal for nano aquariums
- Blue Velvet Shrimp and Blue Dream Shrimp - intense blue
- Chocolate Shrimp - warm brown hue
- Green Shrimp - fresh green
- Rili Red and Rili Black - striking mottled pattern
Because Neocaridina species can interbreed, their colors will mix over time if you keep multiple variants together. If you want to maintain pure color lines, keep only one color variant per aquarium.
Caridina: For the Enthusiast
Caridina species – including the well-known Crystal Red and Bee shrimp – are more demanding. They require softer, more acidic water and are more sensitive to fluctuations, making them more suitable for those with prior experience in shrimp keeping.
- GH: 4-6
- KH: 0-2
- pH: 6.0-7.0
- Temperature: 18-24°C (more sensitive to high temperatures than Neocaridina)
Popular Caridina species from our range:
- Crystal Red Shrimp - the most famous jewel among Caridina, with red and white markings
- Pinochio Shrimp (Caridina Gracilirostris) - recognizable by its elongated rostrum
- Amano Shrimp - large, active cleaner shrimp, only reproduces in brackish water
- Mini Amano Shrimp - a smaller cousin that does reproduce in freshwater
Key Differences at a Glance
| Neocaridina | Caridina | |
|---|---|---|
| Difficulty | Easy - suitable for beginners | Intermediate to advanced |
| Water Hardness (GH) | Higher (6-8) | Lower (4-6) |
| Reproduction | Fast and easy | Slower, requires more stable conditions |
| Sensitivity | Quite tolerant | More sensitive to fluctuations |
| Color Palette | Red, yellow, orange, blue, green, brown | Mainly red-white, transparent |
Can You Keep Them Together?
Keeping Neocaridina and Caridina together in one aquarium is difficult: their ideal water parameters only partially overlap. If you choose one aquarium, it will usually be a compromise where one of the species thrives less optimally. For the best results – especially if you want to breed – keep the two genera in separate aquariums.
Which One Suits You?
- New to shrimp? Start with a Neocaridina species like Fire Red or Yellow Shrimp
- Experienced and looking for a challenge? The Crystal Red is a great first step into Caridina
- Looking for a cleaner for a larger aquarium? The Amano Shrimp is larger and very effective against algae
Unsure which species best suits your water parameters? Feel free to visit our store in Heinkenszand, or ask your question via chat.