
Yellow Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi var. yellow
Family: Atyidae • Origin: Various
Yellow Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi var. yellow) is a peaceful shrimp reaching 1.5 inches. Keep in groups of 6+. Minimum tank size: 5 gallons.
Is Yellow Shrimp Right for Your Tank?
Yellow Shrimp is an excellent choice for beginners — rated "beginner" difficulty (1/5). They're hardy, forgiving of minor water parameter fluctuations, and generally easy to feed. At just 5 gallons minimum, they work well in nano tanks and smaller setups.
With a peaceful temperament, Yellow Shrimp makes a great community fish. They coexist well with other non-aggressive species of similar size. This is a schooling species — keep at least 6 together, or they may become stressed and display abnormal behavior. Expected lifespan: 2 years with proper care.
Common Mistakes with Yellow Shrimp
Keeping fewer than 6 together
Yellow Shrimp is a schooling species — they need a group of at least 6 to feel secure. Lone or paired individuals become stressed, hide constantly, and may develop health issues or aggression.
Relying on a heater without a thermometer
Yellow Shrimp needs 65–80°F. Heaters malfunction or drift over time — always use a separate thermometer to verify. Temperature swings of even 3–4°F can trigger stress and disease, particularly ich.
Putting them in a tank under 5 gallons
While 5 gallons is the minimum, nano tanks require more frequent water changes and leave less room for error. A slightly larger tank (8 gal) is much more forgiving.
Care Tips
- • Max size: 1.5 inches
- • Temperature: 65-80°F
- • pH: 6.5-8
- • Schooling — keep 6+ together
- • peaceful temperament — safe with community fish
Feeding: Standard omnivore diet. Accepts foods appropriate for Atyidae species.
Compatibility Notes: Typical peaceful Atyidae species.
Tank Setup & Water Parameters
Tank Requirements
- Minimum Tank Size
- 5 gallons
- Recommended Tank Size
- 8 gallons
- Swimming Level
- bottom
- Minimum School Size
- 6+ fish
Water Parameters
- Temperature
- 65–80°F
- pH Range
- 6.5–8
- Hardness (dGH)
- 5–15
- Water Type
- freshwater
Behavior & Temperament
- Temperament
- peaceful
- Aggression Level
- 1/5
- Schooling
- Yes
- Territorial
- No
- Fin Nipper
- No
- Predatory
- No
- Diet Type
- omnivore
- Growth Rate
- moderate
Typical peaceful Atyidae species.
Breeding
- Breeding Type
- egg layer
- Breeding Difficulty
- moderate
- Lifespan
- 2 years
Ideal For
Compatible Tank Mates
View all →
Neon Tetra
Paracheirodon innesi

Ember Tetra
Hyphessobrycon amandae

Rummy Nose Tetra
Hemigrammus rhodostomus

Black Neon Tetra
Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi

Serpae Tetra
Hyphessobrycon eques

Black Skirt Tetra
Gymnocorymbus ternetzi
Similar Species

Cherry Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi

Blue Velvet Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi var. blue

Orange Sakura Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi var. orange

Ghost Shrimp
Palaemonetes paludosus