Snowball Shrimp (Neocaridina zhangjiajiensis)

The Snowball Shrimp is a beautiful freshwater dwarf shrimp prized for its translucent white coloration and excellent breeding potential. This peaceful and hardy shrimp is an ideal choice for planted aquariums, nano tanks, and dedicated shrimp colonies. Easy to care for and highly active, Snowball Shrimp spend their day grazing on algae, biofilm, and organic matter, helping to keep the aquarium clean while adding constant activity and interest.

What We Like About This Shrimp

• Attractive translucent white coloration
• Excellent algae and biofilm grazer
• Peaceful and community-friendly
• Easy to care for and breed
• Suitable for beginners
• Ideal for planted and nano aquariums

Recommended Tank Parameters

• Tank Size: Minimum 2 gallons (8 liters), 10 gallons (38 liters) recommended for colonies
• Temperature: 17.8–25.5°C (64–78°F)
• pH Level: 6.8–7.5
• GH: 6–15 dGH
• KH: 0–10 dKH
• TDS: 180–400 ppm

Stable water parameters are more important than chasing exact numbers, especially when maintaining breeding colonies.

Care Guidelines

• Diet: Omnivorous scavenger; feeds on algae, biofilm, decaying plant matter, shrimp foods, and vegetables
• Social Behavior: Extremely peaceful; thrives in groups and colonies
• Origin: Tank-bred; wild populations originate from Taiwan
• Average Adult Size: 2.5–3.8 cm (1–1.5 inches)
• Average Purchase Size: 1.9 cm (¾ inch)
• Plant Safe: Yes

Aquarium Setup

Snowball Shrimp thrive in mature aquariums rich in biofilm and grazing surfaces.

Recommended Plants

• Java Moss
• Christmas Moss
• Subwassertang
• Anubias
• Bucephalandra
• Java Fern

Recommended Decor

• Driftwood
• Shrimp caves
• Cholla wood
• Leaf litter
• Natural botanicals

A heavily planted aquarium provides shelter for shrimplets and encourages healthy colony growth.

Diet and Feeding

Snowball Shrimp constantly graze throughout the aquarium and often require very little supplemental feeding in mature setups.

Suitable Foods

• Shrimp pellets
• Algae wafers
• Blanched spinach
• Zucchini
• Indian Almond Leaves
• Shrimp-specific foods
• Natural biofilm

Avoid overfeeding, as excess food can negatively impact water quality.

Tank Mates and Compatibility

Snowball Shrimp can be kept with peaceful nano fish, but they breed best in shrimp-focused aquariums.

Suitable tank mates include:

• Otocinclus Catfish
• Small Rasboras
• Small Corydoras
• Nerite Snails
• Mystery Snails

Avoid large fish, aggressive fish, and known shrimp predators.

Why Keep Snowball Shrimp?

The Snowball Shrimp is a fantastic choice for both beginner and experienced shrimp keepers. Its attractive white coloration, peaceful nature, and ease of breeding make it a valuable addition to planted aquariums and shrimp colonies. With proper care, a small group can quickly establish a thriving population, creating a beautiful and active display while helping maintain a clean and healthy aquarium.