Yellow Sakura Shrimp care guide
Yellow Sakura Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi var. 'Yellow Sakura') — minimum tank 20 L, temperature 18-28 °C, pH 6.5-8.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Yellow Sakura Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi var. 'Yellow Sakura') is a freshwater dwarf shrimp of the family Atyidae, listed in the Aquairi knowledge base as a beginner-level species. Bright lemon-yellow Neocaridina selectively bred from wild-type stock. Stunning against dark substrate and green plants.
Taxonomy
- Family: Atyidae
- Genus: Neocaridina
- Scientific name: Neocaridina davidi var. 'Yellow Sakura'
- Common synonyms: Yellow Neocaridina, Yellow Cherry
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: 18-28 °C (64-82 °F)
- pH: 6.5-8
- GH: 4-14 °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.
Yellow Sakura Shrimp Breeding Guide
Overview
Yellow Sakura is a bright lemon-yellow color morph of Neocaridina davidi, a freshwater atyid shrimp selectively bred from wild-type stock. Like all Neocaridina, it breeds readily in a stable tank with a sexed pair and a food source. The female incubates the eggs externally, and the young develop directly without a larval stage.
Sexing
Females are larger, more solidly yellow, and have a broad curved tail for holding eggs; males stay smaller and paler. In yellow stock the maturing egg mass on the back can be harder to read against the body color, but a saddle is still visible behind the head before eggs move to the swimmerets.
Conditioning
Keep parameters steady within the species range: temperature about 22-26 °C and pH near 6.5-7.8 with stable hardness. As detritivores the shrimp graze biofilm, algae and detritus and eat their molts, so a mature planted tank supplies most of the diet with light supplemental feeding.
Breeding Setup
Use a species-only tank with gentle filtration and moss for shrimplet cover. The yellow is a recessive selectively bred trait. Because yellow and other Neocaridina davidi morphs interbreed and produce brown wild-type young, the yellow line must be kept separate from red, blue and other morphs to stay pure.
Spawning & Berried Females
Mating follows a molt, with pheromone signaling and external fertilization as eggs pass to the pleopods. A berried female carries roughly 20-30 eggs and fans them under the tail for about two to three weeks until hatching. Steady water reduces the risk of a dropped clutch during incubation.
Shrimplet Care
Hatchlings are about 1 mm, fully formed, and graze biofilm from the start; they often gain stronger yellow as they mature. Maturity comes in roughly two to three months and lifespan is one to two years. Holding the line means culling pale or off-color young so the brightest yellows dominate the breeding stock.
Common Challenges
Some young hatch with weaker yellow and are removed from breeding stock. The main risks are accidental mixing with other morphs, which drives offspring back to wild-type brown, and unstable water or copper exposure, which stress berried females and developing eggs.