Looking to add a colorful shrimp to your aquarium without dealing with a high-maintenance species, then look no further. Blue Diamond Shrimp is an excellent option for enhancing the beauty of your aquarium. They boast a vibrant and striking appearance, making them an attractive addition for any aquarist seeking to add a pop of color to their tank.
Aquarists often love shrimps because of their reasonable cost and their ability to clean tanks effectively. These shrimp are scavengers that actively seek out and consume algae in your tank, playing a significant role in maintaining a stable and balanced tank environment.
Blue Diamond Shrimp Facts & Overview
| Scientific Name: | Neocaridina davidi |
| Common names: | Blue diamond shrimp, Blue sapphire shrimp |
| Origin: | Taiwan |
| Size: | 1- 1.5 inches (2.5 – 3.8 cm) |
| Life expectancy: | 1-2 Years |
| Color: | Deep dark blue\ Black glossy shell |
| Diet: | Omnivore |
| Temperament: | Peaceful |
| Minimum tank size: | 5 Gallon |
| Temperature: | 64° – 78° F |
| pH | 6.5 – 7.5 |
| Care Level: | Easy |
Origin
The Blue sapphire shrimp, a well-known species in the aquarium hobby, is thought to have originated in Taiwan. It is a selectively bred variation of the Caridina cantonensis, which is commonly referred to as the Taiwan Bee Shrimp. This shrimp species is highly sought after for its distinct blue coloration and active behavior.
Blue Diamond Shrimp Size & Lifespan
When they are fully grown, they normally reach a length of around 1 to 1.5 inches (2.5 – 3.8 cm). The body form of the Blue Shrimp is slim and elongated, and it has a variable-intensity blue color.
In the ideal aquarium environment, blue sapphire shrimp may survive for up to one to two years. Nevertheless, variables like water quality, temperature, and food availability have a great impact on their longevity. Blue Diamond Shrimp require a well-maintained and clean aquarium habitat, as well as a balanced feed, to guarantee a long and healthy existence.
Appearance & Behavior
The Neocaridina davidi species of dwarf shrimp, which by nature is greenish-brown but now comes in a range of hues, has been deliberately selected to produce the Blue Diamond Shrimp.
This species has a number of blue variations, including the Blue Dream Shrimp, Blue Velvet Shrimp, and Blue Jelly Shrimp. The rich sapphire blue hue of the Blue Diamond Shrimp makes it stand out, and its eyes can be either gold or black. These can either have gold or dark-colored eyes.
The gregarious and active Blue Diamond Shrimp spend a lot of their time mingling with other shrimp in the aquarium and looking for food. They are renowned for their tranquil nature and often get along well with other non-aggressive fish and invertebrate species.
Blue Diamond Shrimp Care
Despite the fact that Blue Diamond Shrimp are sometimes seen as being simple to maintain in aquariums, it’s still essential to make sure they have a secure and comfortable habitat to grow in. You can guarantee that these lovely and lively creatures thrive happily and healthily in your care by giving them a well-kept aquarium setup.
Here are some Important tips to provide your blue sapphire shrimp with a healthy environment:
Blue Diamond Shrimp Tank & Water Requirements
Blue Diamond Shrimp thrive in aquariums with plenty of plants, decorations, and driftwood. To keep a small group of Blue Diamond Shrimp, a minimum tank size of 5 gallons is recommended. A 5-gallon tank can accommodate around 5 shrimp, but experts recommend keeping them in a group of at least 10 to promote social behavior and optimal thriving.
Blue Sapphire Shrimp tank lighting does not need to meet any precise requirements, thus it may be set up to encourage plant development.
Your Blue Sapphire Shrimp will be more likely to have a happy and healthy life in captivity if you provide them access to a nicely furnished and appropriately sized tank.
Water Parameters
| Water type: | Both Soft and Hard Water |
| Water Temperature: | 64° – 78° F |
| Substrate: | Fine pebbles |
| Tank setup: | Lots of plants, Decorations, Driftwood |
| Acidity: | 6.5 – 7.5 |
| Water hardness: | 6 – 15 |
| dKH: | 0 – 10 |
| Filter: | Yes, Blue diamond shrimps do require Filter in the tank. Sponge filters are the best option for these shrimps. |
| Lighting: | Not Required, but plants in their aquarium do require lightning. |
| Water heater: | Yes, to maintain a stable environment. |
How To Maintain Water quality In blue Diamond Shrimp Tank
The health and welfare of Blue Diamond Shrimp depend on the proper management of water quality. These delicate species are susceptible to stress, illness, and even death from poor water quality. Poor water quality can lead to many diseases in the shrimps.
Some tips to improve the water quality:
- To keep the water pure and free of dangerous contaminants, use a high-quality filter. Ammonia and nitrate can be broken down with the use of a filter that uses a biological filter medium. It is advised to use a sponge filter for shrimp tanks.
- It is advised to do water changes either weekly or biweekly to maintain low nitrate levels and assure water quality. For Blue Diamond Shrimp to thrive, experts advise weekly water changes of 20-35% of the aquarium’s volume.
- Regularly check the parameters of your water by using a test kit. Check if the water’s pH, temperature, ammonia, nitrate, and other parameters are still within the optimal range.
Plants For Blue Diamond Shrimp
live plants offer several advantages to Blue Diamond Shrimp. By absorbing phosphates, nitrates, and other waste materials, plants can help preserve the quality of the water. By giving the shrimp places to hide, food sources, and a cozy setting in which to rest and forage, they establish a natural home for them. Moreover, plants serve to improve oxygen levels, maintain water properties, and decrease algal development.
For a Blue Diamond Shrimp tank setup, various plant types are advised, including Java moss, Java fern, Anubias, Marimo moss balls, and Hornwort. These plants can endure a variety of water conditions and are resilient and simple to care for. They don’t require supplemental CO2 or intense illumination.
Diet and Feeding
Blue Diamond Shrimp are omnivores and may eat a range of things. They require a balanced and nutrient-rich diet for growth, health, and reproduction. High-quality shrimp food can be given daily along with other foods such as fish food, frozen food, blanched vegetables, and algae tablets to provide variety.
Overfeeding shrimp can lead to poor water quality, which can have a negative impact on their health. To prevent this, experts recommend feeding the shrimp once or twice a day in small amounts that can be consumed easily. This ensures that the shrimp receive the necessary nutrients while avoiding the risk of overfeeding.
Tankmates
The tranquil demeanor and modest size of Blue Diamond Shrimp should be taken into account while selecting tank mates. The shrimp may be in danger from fish that are too big or aggressive. Small, passive fish like neon tetras, guppies, rasboras, catfish, and small plecos are good tankmates for blue diamond shrimp. These fish can improve the aquarium’s overall visual appeal and won’t hurt the shrimp.
Snails and other tiny types of shrimps like Amano shrimp or Ghost shrimp are compatible invertebrate species.
On the other hand, keeping Blue Diamond Shrimp with larger or more aggressive species like cichlids, bettas, or angelfish is not recommended. These fish have a reputation for attacking and devouring shrimp and other tiny animals. Invertebrate predators like crayfish and crabs should also be avoided since they can kill shrimp.
It’s crucial to keep an eye on new tankmates’ behavior when you first introduce them to make sure they aren’t endangering the shrimp.
Blue Diamond Shrimp Breeding
The correct circumstances and aquariums with adequate water quality are believed to encourage blue sapphire shrimp to reproduce easily. Having a dependable and robust shrimp colony is essential for successful breeding. To breed Blue Diamond Shrimp, it is recommended to keep a group of males and females together in a breeding tank.
Here’s how to successfully breed blue diamond shrimp in captivity:
- The first step is to put up a breeding-friendly aquarium. The optimum tank size is 10 gallons, with a sponge filter, and soft, slightly acidic water.
- A male and female shrimp should be added to the breeding tank. It is advised to have a male-to-female ratio of 1:2 in order to improve the likelihood of fertile offspring.
- Provide the shrimp someplace to hide, such as rocks, driftwood, and plants. This gives the shrimp a place to hide and lessens their stress levels.
- Give the shrimp a high-quality meal consisting of blanched vegetables, algal wafers, and shrimp pellets. This promotes reproduction and keeps the shrimp healthy.
- Monitor the water parameters regularly and ensure that they are within the ideal range. The ideal temperature for breeding is 82°F.
- The male will get attracted to the female once she releases pheromones, and he will start pursuing her. The male will eventually place sperm packets on the female’s underbelly.
- The female will develop eggs that will hatch in about 21 to 30 days. Keep the babies shrimp with the parents in the same aquarium.
- Blue Diamond Shrimp offspring are self-sufficient right after birth and can feed on biofilm and algae during the initial days of their existence.
It requires perseverance and commitment to raising Blue Diamond Shrimp. Before effective breeding happens, it could take a few tries, but with the correct care and circumstances, it can be a pleasant experience.
Conclusion
Blue diamond shrimp make a great addition to any freshwater tank, provided they are housed with compatible tank mates. They are enjoyable to watch, aesthetically pleasing, and beneficial to the overall health of the aquarium. Consider adding them to your tank, as they are highly recommended by experienced aquarists.
