Dream Blue Shrimp

Dream Blue Shrimp | Neocaridina davidi 'Blue Dream' — Sapphire Colour for Planted Aquariums

Dream Blue Shrimp is a selectively bred variety of Neocaridina davidi, a freshwater dwarf shrimp native to eastern Asia. Its colour can range from translucent blue to opaque sapphire, with shades that may appear inky, purple-leaning or lapis. These shrimp rarely grow beyond about 2.5 cm. Males are generally smaller than females and have straighter bellies.

They are considered easy to care for, provided the aquarium is fully cycled and mature, and water conditions remain stable. Add live plants, driftwood and shrimp hides for cover and foraging. Dark fine gravel or coarse sand can help their blue colour stand out. Dream Blue Shrimp are omnivores that graze on biofilm, algae and detritus, while also accepting quality shrimp food and blanched vegetables.

Specifications

• Common name: Dream Blue Shrimp, Blue Dream Shrimp
• Scientific name: Neocaridina davidi 'Blue Dream'
• Natural range: Eastern China, Taiwan, Korea and Vietnam
• Colour: Blue, ranging from translucent to opaque sapphire
• Adult size: Rarely more than approximately 2.5 cm
• Care level: Easy
• Minimum aquarium size: About 19 litres
• pH: 6.2–8.0
• Temperature: 18–29°C
• GH: 4–8
• KH: 3–15
• TDS: 150–250
• Diet: Omnivorous; biofilm, algae, detritus, quality shrimp food and blanched vegetables
• Suitable tankmates: Inoffensive microfish, Bee Shrimp, Tiger Shrimp, Amano Shrimp and snails
• Breeding: Females carry eggs beneath the abdomen; eggs hatch in about a month

How to Keep Dream Blue Shrimp

1. Prepare a mature aquarium: Fully cycle the tank and establish stable water conditions before introducing shrimp. An aquarium of about 19 litres or more is suitable.
2. Add cover and foraging surfaces: Provide live plants, driftwood, shrimp hides and other aquarium decor. Dark fine gravel or coarse sand can enhance their blue colour.
3. Keep water conditions stable: Aim for a pH of 6.2–8.0, temperature of 18–29°C, GH of 4–8, KH of 3–15 and TDS of 150–250.
4. Choose tankmates carefully: These small shrimp are vulnerable to predation. Suitable options include snails and other inoffensive invertebrates; avoid fish that may eat them.
5. Feed a varied diet: Let them graze naturally on biofilm, algae and detritus, and supplement with quality shrimp food and blanched vegetables. Remove uneaten food after a few hours.

Care & Maintenance Tips

• Prioritise stable water conditions and a mature aquarium over chasing exact parameter readings.
• Perform small, regular water changes to maintain water quality.
• Leave some natural biofilm in the aquarium, as young shrimp rely on it for food during their first few weeks.
• Remove uneaten food after a few hours and reduce portions if food remains.
• When mixing different Neocaridina colour varieties, remember that they can interbreed and produce offspring with mixed colours.

Shrimp Acclimation

1. Check the temperature: Compare the transport water with the aquarium. If they differ, float a suitable container that prevents water from mixing until the temperatures are close.
2. Drip acclimate: Place the shrimp and transport water in a clean container. Use airline tubing with a control valve to add aquarium water at about 2–3 drops per second.
3. Allow the water volume to increase: Let the water in the container increase to about four times its starting volume. The source guide estimates this process takes around 1.5–2.5 hours.
4. Transfer the shrimp: Net the shrimp into the aquarium and avoid adding transport water to the tank.
5. Give them time to settle: Keep the aquarium light off and do not feed the shrimp for the first 24 hours.