Neocaridina vs Caridina: Freshwater Shrimp Genus Comparison
Neutral side-by-side from Fast Aquatics editorial. We list both originators in our marketplace - this comparison exists to help you choose by intent, not by vendor.
Neocaridina davidi
Originator
Native East Asia
First documented
Aquarium trade since 1990s
Pattern
Solid color (Cherry Red, Blue Dream, Yellow Golden Back, Green Jade, Blue Velvet, Orange Sunkist, Chocolate)
Adult size
~1 inch adult
Typical price
$3-8 per shrimp depending on color intensity
Keeper notes
Hardiest freshwater shrimp for the aquarium hobby. Tolerates a wide parameter range. Breeds like guppies once established.
Requires soft acidic water. Active-substrate mandatory. Sensitive to parameter drift. Higher price per shrimp reflects breeding difficulty.
Husbandry overlap
Two different genera with fundamentally different water chemistry requirements. Neocaridina wants pH 6.5-8.0, GH 6-10, KH 3-6, TDS 200-350, temperature 70-78 F. Caridina wants pH 5.8-6.6, GH 4-6, KH 0-2, TDS 100-180, temperature 68-74 F. Do NOT mix in the same tank without extensive research - the hybrid offspring are usually infertile and the parameter ranges conflict.
Pick by intent
Choose Neocaridina davidi if
You are new to shrimp, have hard tap water, want a low-maintenance colony that breeds prolifically, and want the widest color variety at low price.
Choose Caridina cantonensis (Bee Shrimp lineage) if
You have RO/DI water, active substrate, patience for slow breeding, and want the classic Caridina lineage or investment-grade Taiwan Bee.
Both available from Fast Aquatics vendors
Live inventory rotates - subscribe to alerts on either cultivar's page to be notified when it's back in stock.