Shrimp

Blue Pearl

Neocaridina cf. zhanghjiajiensis "Blue Pearl"

Taxonomy

Phylum:: Arthropoda
Subphylum:: Crustacea
Class:: Malacostraca
Order:: Decapoda
Suborder:: Pleocyemata
Family:: Atyidae
Genus:: Neocaridina

About the species

Key features:: The Blue Pearl is a blue form of the White Pearl. It can be recognised by its blue pigments and black eyes.
Coloration:: Colorful

Tank

Nano tank:: Yes
Species tank:: No
Min. group:: 10 pcs
Light:: Tolerates strong light
Special requirements:: Hiding places

Plants

Plants in the tank:: Yes
Behavior toward plants:: Nibbles when hungry

Food and tankmates

Food

Blanched lettuce

Nettle leaves

Beech leaves

Flake food

Frozen food

Cucumber

Carrots

Live food

Catfish tablets

Breeding

Development type:: Direct (young look like adults)
Number of young:: 20–40 young
Clutch size:: 20–40 eggs
Frequency:: With good water quality and suitable water parameters, approximately every 4–6 weeks

Description

The Blue Pearl is a pretty, white-coloured shrimp suitable for beginners. However, advanced aquarists also often take a liking to it. Females of this species grow to approximately 3–3.5 cm in length, whereas males only reach approximately 3 cm. They also reach an age of approximately 2 years. The pH for this species should be between 6 and 8, the carbonate hardness between 0 and 10°, and the general hardness between 1 and 15°.

Through selective breeding, a beautiful white colour can be developed.

How breeding happens

Breeding the Blue Pearl is quite easy when the water parameters are suitable and the water quality is good, and requires no further intervention by the keeper. As soon as the female reaches sexual maturity, she develops a saddle in the neck area. The male attaches a sperm packet to the female’s underside, and she then attempts to press the eggs from the neck area into her brood pouch. After approximately 4 weeks, the female releases the approximately 1 mm young, which immediately disappear into hiding places. There they graze all surfaces for microorganisms. During their first few days, they still moult relatively often, but this decreases with age. The animals acquire their colour as they grow older.