Frequently asked questions

Neocaridina davidi, including Red Cherry and Blue Dream, can be a useful starting point when water and preparation fit. Choose by species, origin and care needs; a colour or beginner label cannot guarantee survival.

Assess temperature, pH, GH, KH and relevant trends alongside ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. Investigate oxygen and recent additions where indicated. Stable but unsuitable water remains unsuitable; the exact species and system provide context.

Assess the exact species, actual volume, layout and maintenance. LICG recommends preferably at least 30 litres for freshwater shrimp; this is general husbandry guidance, not a proven minimum for every species. Twenty litres is not a universal suitability guarantee.

This depends on species and feeding method. Neocaridina graze surfaces and can take supplementary food; fan shrimp collect suspended particles. Assess nutritional quality, accessibility, intake and growth together. Visible biofilm alone does not establish a complete diet.

Compare the exact species, water needs, size and feeding roles. Neocaridina colour forms of the same species can interbreed, but trade names do not predict fixed offspring colours. Adult coexistence does not establish safe juveniles or traceable breeding lines.

Choose volume and frequency from aquarium trends and checks of replacement water. No fixed percentage fits every situation. A small change may dilute too little during pollution; topping up evaporation is not a water change.