Flora & Fauna
673 entries — care guides, placement tips, and notes from the community
easyRed Cherry Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi
Red cherry shrimp are the most popular dwarf shrimp in the hobby, bred in a variety of red intensity grades from pale pink to deep 'painted fire red'. They are tireless algae and biofilm grazers that thrive in established planted tanks. A mature tank with mosses and fine-leaf plants provides ideal conditions for breeding.
Amano Shrimp
Caridina multidentata
Named after legendary aquascape artist Takashi Amano who popularised their use, amano shrimp are the most effective algae-eating invertebrates available to hobbyists. Their large size and robust constitution means they can handle moderate current and tankmate activity. They do not breed in freshwater, so populations must be replenished from wild-caught stock.
Black Rose Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi var.
Deep black to dark charcoal Neocaridina. Full opaque black coloration is the most sought-after grade. Creates a dramatic contrast in light-substrate planted tanks. As hardy as red cherry shrimp.
Bloody Mary Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi 'Bloody Mary'
Bloody Mary Shrimp are a deeply coloured Neocaridina davidi morph with an intense, translucent blood-red coloration that differs from the opaque red of Painted Fire Red or regular Cherry Shrimp — the red pigmentation is visible through the body, giving them a vivid, glowing quality. They are as hardy and easy to breed as other Neocaridina morphs, making them accessible for beginners seeking a striking red shrimp variety.
Blue Dream Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi 'Blue Dream'
Blue Dream Shrimp are a high-grade selectively bred Neocaridina davidi morph displaying deep, solid cobalt-blue coloration throughout the body. The 'Dream' grade represents the most intense and uniform blue coloration, without the lighter patches seen in standard Blue Velvet morphs. They share the same hardy, beginner-friendly care requirements as Red Cherry Shrimp and breed prolifically in stable, planted tanks.
Blue Velvet Neocaridina
Neocaridina davidi var. 'Blue Velvet'
Blue velvet shrimp are a striking blue morph of Neocaridina davidi with a rich, opaque cornflower-blue colouration. Like all Neocaridina they are hardy and adaptable, making them an excellent choice for beginners wanting colourful shrimp.
Blue Velvet Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi var. Blue Velvet
Blue velvet shrimp are a selectively bred colour morph of the common neocaridina davidi, displaying an attractive solid blue coloration. They share the same hardy nature and care requirements as red cherry shrimp, making them equally beginner-friendly. They breed readily and can produce mixed-colour offspring if kept with other neocaridina colour morphs.
Camel Shrimp
Rhynchocinetes durbanensis
Red and white striped with a distinctly humped back and movable rostrum. Often sold as a decorative marine shrimp; groups create beautiful colour in aquariums. Nocturnal — more active after lights out.
Carbon Rili Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi var.
Dark grey-to-black rili pattern with a transparent midsection. The monochrome equivalent of the popular red and orange rili variants. Intriguing patterning and fully Neocaridina-hardy.
Chocolate Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi var. 'Chocolate'
Chocolate shrimp are a deep brown-maroon Neocaridina morph with a rich, earthy colouration that contrasts beautifully with green plants and light substrate. Hardy and prolific, they are managed identically to other Neocaridina colour morphs.
Cleaner Shrimp
Lysmata amboinensis
Bold red-and-white shrimp that sets up cleaning stations on reefs, removing parasites from fish. Reef-safe, peaceful, and fascinating to observe.
Coral Banded Shrimp
Stenopus hispidus
Striking red-and-white banded shrimp with long white antennae. Acts as a cleaner shrimp on wild reefs. Keep only one pair — males fight.
Fire Shrimp
Lysmata debelius
Striking blood-red with white-spotted antennae — one of the most beautiful marine shrimp. Acts as a cleaner shrimp, setting up stations where fish visit to have parasites removed. Best kept in pairs.
Ghost Shrimp
Palaemonetes paludosus
Ghost shrimp are nearly transparent freshwater shrimp often sold as feeder animals, though they make excellent, inexpensive nano tank inhabitants in their own right. They consume algae, debris, and uneaten food, contributing to tank cleanliness. However, they are sometimes aggressive toward smaller shrimp species.
Green Jade Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi var.
Opaque jade-green Neocaridina with excellent colour contrast in planted tanks. Rarer than the red and blue variants. As hardy and prolific as all other Neocaridina — a great addition to any shrimp collection.
Green Jade Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi var. 'Green Jade'
Green jade shrimp are a selectively bred Neocaridina variety with an opaque mint-green colour. Like all Neocaridina they are hardy and tolerate a wider range of water conditions than Caridina. Their unique green colouration is particularly striking against dark substrate.
Orange Rili Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi 'Orange Rili'
Orange Rili Shrimp display the characteristic Rili pattern — bright orange pigmentation on the head, carapace, and tail sections, with a clear transparent mid-section revealing the internal organs. This two-tone broken pattern is unique and visually distinctive against green plants and dark substrates. They are as easy to keep and breed as any other Neocaridina davidi colour morph and are a lively, active addition to planted nano tanks.
Orange Sakura Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi var.
Vivid orange Neocaridina that stands out brilliantly against green plants. One of the most popular shrimp for planted tanks. Hardy and prolific — an excellent beginner Neocaridina colour variant.
Painted Fire Red Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi var.
The deepest red Neocaridina available — body and legs are entirely opaque fire red with no clear patches. Top grade of the red cherry lineage. Striking against any substrate colour.
Peppermint Shrimp
Lysmata wurdemanni
Translucent shrimp with red stripes. Famous for eating Aiptasia pest anemones. An essential pest controller for reef tanks.
Pistol Shrimp
Alpheus randalli
Famous for its symbiosis with watchman gobies — the shrimp digs a burrow and the goby guards the entrance. Pairs perfectly with Yellow Watchman or Randall's Pistol Goby. Produces a loud snapping sound.
Purple Neocaridina
Neocaridina davidi var.
Violet to deep purple Neocaridina — one of the newer and rarer colour morphs. Striking against light sand or bright green moss. Colour intensity varies with diet and water quality.
Rili Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi var. Rili
Rili Shrimp are a selectively bred Neocaridina davidi morph characterised by a two-tone pattern — a coloured head and tail section (typically red, orange, or blue) separated by a transparent or translucent mid-body section. This 'broken' coloration pattern is unique among neocaridina morphs and makes them visually striking in planted tanks. Care and breeding requirements are identical to standard red cherry shrimp.
Sexy Shrimp
Thor amboinensis
Tiny brown-orange shrimp with white polka-dots and a characteristic upward tail-bob dance. Commonly lives among anemones and Zoanthids in groups. One of the most endearing nano reef invertebrates.
Snowball Shrimp
Neocaridina zhangjiajiensis var. White
Snowball shrimp are prized for their opaque white coloration and the pearlescent white egg clusters that females carry, which inspired their common name. Like other neocaridina variants they are adaptable and breed freely in established planted tanks. They add a clean, high-contrast element to darker aquascape substrates.
Yellow Neocaridina
Neocaridina davidi var. Yellow
Yellow Neocaridina (also known as Yellow Sakura or Banana Shrimp) are a selectively bred morph of Neocaridina davidi displaying a clean, uniform lemon-yellow to deep golden colouration. They are equally hardy and prolific as red cherry shrimp, making them ideal for beginners seeking a splash of warm colour in planted tanks. Against dark aquasoil substrates and green plants the yellow stands out vividly.