Chocolate Shrimp care guide
Chocolate Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi var. 'Chocolate') — minimum tank 20 L, temperature 20-28 °C, pH 6.5-8.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Chocolate Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi var. 'Chocolate') is a freshwater dwarf shrimp of the family Atyidae, listed in the Aquairi knowledge base as a beginner-level species. Solid dark chocolate-brown Neocaridina, can range from milk-chocolate to nearly black. Hardy and prolific.
Taxonomy
- Family: Atyidae
- Genus: Neocaridina
- Scientific name: Neocaridina davidi var. 'Chocolate'
- Common synonyms: Chocolate Neocaridina
Habitat
The wild ancestor Neocaridina davidi originates from Taiwan and adjacent eastern China, where it inhabits lowland streams, ditches and ponds with abundant submerged vegetation and leaf litter. Colour forms are selectively bred from the dark wild type and propagated in commercial culture worldwide. The Aquairi knowledge base records this entry from: Taiwan (selectively bred).
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 20 L (5.3 US gal)
- Adult size: 2-3 cm
- Temperature: 20-28 °C (68-82 °F)
- pH: 6.5-8
- GH: 6-14 °dGH
- KH: 2-8 °dKH
- Lifespan: 1-2 years
Diet
A grazing detritivore. In the aquarium the shrimp continuously feeds on biofilm, soft algae, decaying plant matter and dropped food. A small daily ration of a shrimp-formulated sinking pellet, occasional blanched spinach or zucchini and rare protein wafers keep the colony in good condition without polluting the water.
Compatibility
Peaceful and best kept in a colony of ten or more in a stable, well-cycled, planted aquarium. Suitable tank mates listed in the Aquairi knowledge base: Otocinclus, Pygmy Cory, Nerite Snail. Should be kept away from: Cichlids, Crayfish.
Breeding
Reproduces in fresh water without a planktonic larval stage. Mature females develop ripe ovaries visible as a yellow or olive "saddle" on the back; after a successful moult they are fertilised by males and carry the fertilised eggs under the pleopods for roughly three to four weeks before juveniles hatch as miniature fully-formed shrimp. Stable parameters and absence of predation are the main success factors.
Breeding Chocolate Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi)
Overview
The Chocolate is a solid dark-brown line of Neocaridina davidi ranging from milk-chocolate to nearly black. It is hardy and prolific, develops directly with no larval stage, and is among the simplest morphs to breed. Because its colour sits close to the wild brown form, holding a deep, even chocolate tone is the chief selective task.
Sexing
Females are larger, deeper-bodied and darker than males, with a broader tail; a maturing female shows the pale ovary saddle behind the head. Males are smaller and lighter. As with the black line, the dark body can mask the saddle, so judge by body depth and tail width.
Conditioning
Run a mixed-sex colony in a mature tank and feed a varied, moderate diet of biofilm, algae, blanched vegetables and occasional protein. Females mate right after molting, so stable parameters and steady feeding drive reproduction; this morph tolerates a slightly wider range than most.
Breeding Setup
- Minimum tank volume: 20 L for a colony
- Temperature: 20-28 C (68-82 F)
- pH: 6.5-8.0; GH 6-14 dGH; KH 2-8 dKH
- Sponge filter to protect shrimplets
- Moss and plant cover for molting shrimp
- A light substrate can dilute the brown; dark is better
Spawning & Berried Females
The berried female holds 20-30 eggs under her abdomen and fans them with her pleopods. Per Wikipedia the clutch hatches in about 2-3 weeks. Stable water and low disturbance during incubation prevent dropped clutches.
Shrimplet Care
Shrimplets are miniature adults that graze biofilm and detritus immediately and need cover and a predator-free tank. Because the colour is close to wild brown, select for the darkest, most even individuals to deepen the line over generations.
Common Challenges
Avoid copper-based medications. The Chocolate line drifts toward the wild brown form if not selected for depth, and crossing with other Neocaridina colour morphs likewise produces muddy brown offspring within a few generations. Neocaridina davidi does not interbreed with the separate genus Caridina cantonensis.