I have had a few requests to cover these shrimp, so lets get started in this short overview covering these awesome looking shrimp.
The Blue Diamond shrimp, otherwise known as Neocaridina davidi var. ‘Blue Diamond,’ is a species of freshwater shrimp. These shrimp are native to China, and their body colors range from an opaque sky blue shade to a deep steel blue color. As an easy species to care for, these shrimp can be housed in any standard aquarium.
I haven’t had too many personally, but a couple of good friends have blue diamond shrimp communities in their aquariums and have shared their shrimp with me.
What is a Blue Diamond Shrimp
These attractive animals are herbivores, meaning they eat mostly plant matter from regular aquarium vegetation or algae wafers. Their diet also consists of brine shrimp, worms, and other suitable foods; however, beware not to overfeed them as this may affect their health and water quality drastically!
Blue diamonds are particularly treasured due to their dark sapphire coloration and gold or dark eyes. These shrimp reach a maximum size of approximately an inch, with the females typically being larger than males.
They prefer low light environments but don’t hesitate to feed them often each day or week in small portions so your inhabitants don’t starve. In terms of tankmates, Blue Diamond shrimp get along with other Neocaridina varieties or peaceful fish who won’t nip or otherwise harm them!
Water Conditions for Blue Diamond Shrimp
Healthy water is essential for the your blue diamond shrimp tank. Neocaridina shrimp can typically be kept in tap water, but it is important to cycle the aquarium before introducing any livestock to ensure hazardous levels of ammonia and nitrites do not become present in the tank.
The ideal pH range should be between 6.2 and 8.0, while temperature should remain between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. For optimal parameters, hardness should stay between 4 and 12 on the GH scale.
What do Blue Diamond Shrimp Eat
A quality pellet-type shrimp food is the easiest and most ideal way to supply blue diamond shrimp with the proteins and minerals they require. You can feed just a few small pieces daily, which your shrimps will happily munch down as soon as you drop it into their tank. But if you want them to have varied diets like they would in the wild, make sure you use some other supplementary foods like frozen food, blanched vegetables, algae tablets, and more. By offering nutritious snacks alongside their pellets every day, your blue dream shrimps will stay content and healthy.
How long do blue Diamond Shrimp live?
These shrimp can live up to two years in the right aquarium conditions. To ensure your shrimp have a long and happy life, it is important to monitor their water parameters regularly and make sure the tank is not overcrowded. Keeping an eye on the pH level, temperature, and water hardness will help keep these shrimp healthy for as long as possible. Additionally, it’s important to feed them a balanced diet of pellets, frozen foods, blanched veggies, and algae tablets
How much are Blue Diamond Shrimp
In terms of pricing, these guys can range anywhere from $3 to $9 per individual depending on their size and coloration. If you want to stock up on them, some store owners will offer discounts for bulk purchases. That said, it is important to remember that these little critters require proper care and attention in order to remain healthy so make sure you are prepared for the responsibility before taking the leap!
Blue Diamond Shrimp Purchasing tips
Buying blue diamond shrimp for your aquarium can be a great way to bring some much-needed color and activity into the tank. These shrimp are relatively easy to find at local aquarium stores, as they’re becoming increasingly popular. However, you should be aware that with so many different Neo varieties out there, it’s possible for them to mislabeled. To make sure you get the right type of endangered shrimp that you’re after, buying online is the safest bet.
This way you can see exactly what kind of species or breed is being offered and then research it accordingly before buying.
How big do Blue Diamond Shrimp get?
I personally think blue diamond shrimp make great additions to any aquarium, and they don’t get too big either. In terms of size, these shrimp usually reach a maximum length of around 1 inch. This makes them the perfect pet for those who want something small and easy to care for. As they are easy to breed, they can also be used as live food for larger tank inhabitants such as cichlids or dwarf puffers.
Can you put snails with Blue Diamond Shrimp
I’ve had read many success stories keeping snails with my Blue Diamond shrimp. I found that the two species got along quite well and even shared a few meals at times. The snails weren’t aggressive around the shrimp, and the shrimp didn’t seem to mind them as they scurried around the tank.
If you’re considering adding snails to your Blue Diamond shrimp tank, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Make sure you have enough space for both species since snail populations can quickly become out of control if not monitored properly. Additionally, be sure to provide plenty of food for both animals – an algae wafer or two should do the trick!
I have written many articles around shrimp and snails, so take a look here for more help.
Breeding blue Diamond Shrimp
Mating season will be marked by intense zooming and courting throughout the tank, with the females soon appearing to be ‘berried’, or carrying yellow eggs attached to their swimmerets. After around 30 days, those eggs will hatch into juvenile little copies of their elders, who are surprisingly self-sufficient right away and can actively hunt for their own food with no additional guidance.
Although it may appear intimidating at first, setting up an environment that’s conducive to breeding is not as difficult as it may seem. All that a crystal-clear tank requires is some patience and hard work – a well-maintained water level, weekly tests of pH levels, effective filtration and suitable food sources that won’t contaminate the water should all be simple enough to set up if followed correctly. Blue diamond shrimp are an incredibly rewarding species that can certainly bring out one’s nurturing side when cared for properly.
Conclusions
Having kept Blue Diamonds for some time now, I can honestly say that they are a joy to own and watch. Watching them swim around the tank, explore their surroundings and interact with other inhabitants is truly captivating. They also breed quite easily if conditions are right, which makes them a great choice for any aquarists looking to add some life to their aquarium.
When it comes to maintaining them, they’re not too finicky either. Regular water changes and proper diet of sinking pellets or algae wafers should keep them healthy and happy. As long as you don’t overcrowd your tank and provide enough food for everyone, these shrimp should thrive.
Overall, having blue diamond shrimp in your tank can be a great experience. They are relatively easy to care for and make a beautiful addition to any aquarium. With their bright colors and active behavior, they will surely bring an extra bit of life to your tank!
