Our Guide To Keeping Emerald Jade Shrimp

1. About Shrimp Species:

   • Scientific name: Neocaridina davidi
   • Common name: Emerald Jade Shrimp
   • Family: Atyidae
   • Origin: Captive-bred colour morph descended from freshwater shrimp native to Taiwan and parts of China
   • Adult length: 2.5 to 3 cm
   • Lifespan: 1.5 to 2 years
   • Diet: Omnivore
   • Care Level: Easy
   • Temperament: Peaceful

2. Tank Setup:

   • Emerald Jade Shrimp are best kept in a mature, well-established aquarium with a minimum tank size of 20L. Larger aquariums provide greater water stability and allow colonies to expand naturally.
   • Use a dark substrate to enhance their rich emerald green colouration and provide plenty of mosses, driftwood, rocks and shrimp-safe plants.
   • Java Moss, Christmas Moss, Subwassertang, Anubias, Bucephalandra and Java Fern provide excellent grazing surfaces and shelter for both adults and shrimplets.
   • Leaf litter, cholla wood and botanicals encourage the growth of biofilm, which forms an important part of their natural diet.

3. Water Parameters:

   • Emerald Jade Shrimp thrive in stable water with a pH between 6.5 and 7.8.
   • Maintain the water temperature between 20 and 26°C (68 to 79°F).
   • General hardness (GH) of 6 to 8 dGH and carbonate hardness (KH) of 2 to 6 dKH are ideal for healthy moulting and breeding.
   • Ammonia and nitrite should always remain at 0 ppm, while nitrate should be kept below 20 ppm through regular maintenance.

4. Filtration and Water Flow:

   • A gentle sponge filter or shrimp-safe external filter is recommended to provide excellent biological filtration without drawing shrimplets into the filter intake.
   • Provide gentle to moderate water movement with good oxygenation throughout the aquarium.
   • Regular small water changes help maintain stable water chemistry and support successful moulting.

5. Diet:

   • Emerald Jade Shrimp are omnivorous scavengers that spend much of the day grazing on algae, biofilm and microorganisms growing on aquarium surfaces.
   • Feed high-quality shrimp pellets, algae wafers and specialised shrimp foods as staple foods.
   • Supplement their diet with blanched spinach, courgette, kale or nettle leaves, together with occasional protein-rich foods such as baby brine shrimp or specialised shrimp protein pellets.
   • Avoid overfeeding, as excess food can quickly reduce water quality in smaller shrimp aquariums.

6. Tank Mates:

   • Emerald Jade Shrimp are peaceful and are best kept in groups of at least 10 individuals, allowing them to feel secure and establish a healthy breeding colony.
   • Suitable tank mates include small peaceful fish such as Chili Rasboras, Phoenix Rasboras, Ember Tetras, Celestial Pearl Danios, Otocinclus, Pygmy Corydoras and Nerite Snails.
   • They can also be kept with other peaceful Neocaridina colour varieties, although crossbreeding may result in offspring reverting to wild-type colouration.
   • Avoid keeping them with large fish, cichlids, loaches or any species known to prey upon shrimp or shrimplets.

7. Behaviour and Compatibility:

   • Emerald Jade Shrimp are constantly active, spending their time grazing across plants, wood, rocks and aquarium glass in search of biofilm and algae.
   • They are completely peaceful and make an excellent addition to planted nano aquariums and dedicated shrimp colonies.
   • Females are generally larger and more intensely coloured than males, and berried females will carry eggs beneath their abdomen until the shrimplets hatch.
   • Stable water conditions are essential, as sudden changes in temperature or water chemistry can lead to failed moults and unnecessary losses.
   • With good care, Emerald Jade Shrimp breed readily, making them an excellent choice for both beginner and experienced freshwater shrimp keepers.