Care guide, husbandry, breeding, disease, sourcing, and tankmate intelligence on Blue Dream Shrimp - written by the Fast Aquatics editorial team and cross-verified against vendor records on the live marketplace.
Blue Dream Shrimp at a glance
Adult size: 1 inch · Minimum tank/pond: 5 gallons · Difficulty: beginner · Diet: omnivore · Lifespan: 1-2 years.
Blue Dream Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi) is a freshwater invertebrate kept by aquarists for planted-tank cleanup crew + breeding-line collecting. Hardy and forgiving of typical beginner mistakes when given proper water chemistry.
Where Blue Dream Shrimp comes from
Blue Dream Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi) is native to freshwater habitats across multiple continents. The captive-bred Blue Dream Shrimp sold at most LFS comes from generations of farmed stock and is generally hardier and better-acclimated to tank conditions than wild-caught equivalents. Wild specimens are occasionally available for keepers chasing original-bloodline coloration or biotope-accurate stocking.
Blue Dream Shrimp tank size and setup
Blue Dream Shrimp requires a minimum of 5 gallons for healthy adults. The minimum is based on the species' adult size (1 inch), territorial range, and behavior pattern. Most Blue Dream Shrimp sold at small juvenile size will reach full adult size within 12-24 months and the system must be sized to the adult, not the juvenile.
For a Blue Dream Shrimp setup: mature planted tank or low-stocked community tank with stable parameters, mineralized substrate (or remineralized RO/DI for Caridina), low-flow filtration that does not suck up shrimplets, and minimal copper exposure (avoid copper-treated medications).
Blue Dream Shrimp prefers freshwater parameters: Temperature: 70-78°F pH: 6.5-7.5 GH: 4-12 dGH KH: 3-8 dKH Ammonia + nitrite: Both 0 ppm Nitrate: Under 20 ppm long-term Copper: 0 (especially critical for invertebrates)
Use dechlorinator on every water change. Test parameters weekly during cycling, biweekly once stable. Stable consistency beats sliding-scale "ideal" parameters.
What Blue Dream Shrimp eats
Blue Dream Shrimp is a omnivore. Eats a varied diet of pellets, frozen foods, and supplemental greens. Quality flake or pellet (Hikari, New Life Spectrum, Tetra) plus frozen mysis or bloodworms 2-3x weekly produces best color and behavior. Feed Blue Dream Shrimp appropriately for its size + activity level. Overfeeding is the #1 cause of water-quality crashes in tanks of all sizes.
Blue Dream Shrimp tankmates and compatibility
Blue Dream Shrimp works alongside peaceful community fish. Avoid mixing with fin-nippers (some tetras, barbs), aggressive cichlids, or large predators. Best in shrimp-only or mostly-shrimp tanks for breeding success - any larger fish will eat shrimplets.
Browse care guides for tankmate-compatibility tables for Blue Dream Shrimp and similar species.
Blue Dream Shrimp adult size and lifespan
Blue Dream Shrimp reaches 1 inch at adulthood with a captive lifespan of 1-2 years with proper care. Females carry eggs under the abdomen until hatch; in stable tanks, breeding populations sustain themselves indefinitely.
Can you breed Blue Dream Shrimp?
Yes - Blue Dream Shrimp is one of the more readily-bred freshwater invertebrates. Provide stable parameters, a mineralized substrate, plenty of biofilm, and avoid copper. Females carry eggs 25-30 days; shrimplets are immediately free-living and eat biofilm/algae.
Common Blue Dream Shrimp diseases and problems
Blue Dream Shrimp is susceptible to standard freshwater diseases (ich, columnaris, fin rot, bacterial infections). Quarantine new Blue Dream Shrimp for 4 weeks before adding to your display tank. Treat fish in a separate hospital tank to avoid affecting plants and inverts. Most disease outbreaks trace back to poor water quality, chronic stress, or skipped quarantine.
Where to buy Blue Dream Shrimp online
Blue Dream Shrimp is sold at LFS (local fish stores), online retailers, and direct from breeders/wholesalers. Pricing varies widely by source, size, and quality:
Browse live Blue Dream Shrimp from vetted Fast Aquatics vendors with carrier-tracked overnight shipping (FedEx Priority + UPS Next Day), climate-aware hold logic, and a 4-hour DOA window with photo-evidence claims. Captive-bred or aquacultured specimens cost more upfront but arrive healthier and integrate faster.
Blue Dream Shrimp FAQ
How big does Blue Dream Shrimp get?
1 inch at adulthood within 12-24 months.
How long does Blue Dream Shrimp live?
1-2 years with proper care.
What is the minimum tank/pond size?
5 gallons, with larger systems strongly recommended.
Is Blue Dream Shrimp hard to keep?
Blue Dream Shrimp is rated beginner difficulty.
What does Blue Dream Shrimp eat?
Blue Dream Shrimp is a omnivore; appropriate diet matches its natural feeding pattern.
Blue Dream Shrimp taxonomy and care recommendations cross-checked against the following authoritative references and our internal vendor + breeder database.