About Blue Dream Shrimp
Blue Dream Shrimp are one of the most popular blue Neocaridina varieties in the aquarium hobby, prized for their deep, opaque sapphire blue coloration. Developed from the Carbon Rili line through selective breeding, Blue Dream Shrimp represent the pinnacle of blue coloration in the Neocaridina family. Their rich blue color, combined with the hardiness of all Neocaridina davidi varieties, makes them an excellent choice for both beginners and experienced shrimp keepers. The Blue Dream variety descended from Carbon Rili Shrimp, which themselves were bred from Red Rili Shrimp. Through careful selective breeding over many generations, hobbyists were able to isolate and intensify the blue pigmentation while eliminating the clear sections typical of Rili patterns. The result is a stunning, solid blue shrimp that breeds true and maintains its coloration across generations. Blue Dream Shrimp are often confused with Blue Velvet Shrimp, but there are key differences. Blue Dream Shrimp typically display a deeper, more opaque blue color, while Blue Velvet Shrimp tend to be lighter and more translucent with a powdery appearance. Blue Dreams also come from a different genetic line (Carbon Rili) compared to Blue Velvets (which came from the Red Rili line through a different breeding path). Both are beautiful in their own right and equally easy to care for.
Quick Facts
Water Parameters for Blue Dream Shrimp
Maintaining stable water parameters is crucial for the health and coloration of Blue Dream Shrimp. As a Neocaridina species, they are relatively hardy and can tolerate a wider range of parameters than Caridina species.
| Parameter | Range | Optimal |
|---|---|---|
| TDS | 150-300 ppm | 180-250 ppm |
| GH | 4-14 dGH | 6-8 dGH |
| KH | 2-8 dKH | 2-5 dKH |
| pH | 6.5-8 | 6.8-7.5 |
| Temperature | 64-82°F (18-28°C) | 68-75°F |
Tank Setup for Blue Dream Shrimp
- Minimum 5 gallon tank, though larger tanks provide more stable parameters
- Light-colored sand or white gravel substrate makes blues pop visually
- Plant heavily with easy species like Java Moss, Java Fern, and Anubias
- Sponge filters are ideal - gentle flow and additional grazing surface
- Include driftwood and rocks for hiding spots and biofilm growth
Care Tips for Blue Dream Shrimp
- Maintain stable water parameters - Blue Dreams are hardy but dislike rapid changes
- Keep in groups of at least 10 for optimal behavior and breeding
- Provide plenty of hiding spots with plants, moss, and driftwood
- A light-colored substrate can make their blue coloration stand out dramatically
- Avoid keeping with other Neocaridina colors to prevent crossbreeding
- Never use copper-based medications as these are lethal to shrimp
- Perform small weekly water changes (10-15%) to maintain water quality
Feeding Blue Dream Shrimp
- Feed high-quality shrimp foods 2-3 times per week
- Blanched vegetables like zucchini, spinach, and cucumber are excellent supplements
- Biofilm growing on surfaces should form the majority of their diet
- Spirulina-based foods can help maintain vibrant blue coloration
- Remove uneaten food within 2-3 hours to prevent water quality issues
Breeding Blue Dream Shrimp
- Blue Dream Shrimp breed true when kept in a pure colony
- Crossing with other Neocaridina colors will produce brown or wild-type offspring
- Females carry 20-30 eggs for approximately 28-35 days
- Shrimplets are born fully developed and require no special care
- Cull any offspring showing poor coloration to maintain line quality
Blue Dream Shrimp Grading System
Blue Dream Shrimp are commonly graded based on color intensity, coverage, and pattern quality. Higher grades typically command higher prices and are the result of selective breeding.
Standard Blue Dream
Good blue coloration with mostly solid coverage but may have some lighter or translucent areas.
Characteristics
- Blue coloration covers most of body
- May have some translucent areas
- Legs may show some transparency
- Good color intensity overall
High Grade Blue Dream
Premium grade with intense, completely opaque sapphire blue covering the entire body and legs.
Characteristics
- Completely opaque deep blue
- No translucent areas
- Solid blue legs
- Rich sapphire coloration
Grades listed from lowest to highest quality
Common Problems with Blue Dream Shrimp
- Color fading may indicate stress, poor genetics, or inadequate diet
- Crossing with other Neocaridina produces brown offspring - keep lines separate
- Sudden deaths often result from parameter swings during water changes
- Failed molts can occur from insufficient minerals - maintain adequate GH
- Planaria and hydra can prey on shrimplets - treat carefully if present
Troubleshooting Blue Dream Shrimp
Neocaridina are hardy but still sensitive to sudden parameter changes. Here are common problems to watch for:
Failed Molt: Shrimp Stuck in Shell
Understanding failed molts where shrimp cannot escape their old exoskeleton. Learn why it happens, why affected shrimp cannot be saved, and how to prevent future molt failures.
Why Are My Shrimp Dying?
Comprehensive triage guide for unexplained shrimp deaths. Learn to identify the cause and take immediate action to save your remaining colony.
White Ring of Death in Shrimp
Understanding the dreaded white ring or white line that appears around a shrimp's body, signaling a fatal molting problem that cannot be reversed once visible.
Baby Shrimp (Shrimplets) Dying
Why newborn shrimp disappear or die when adult shrimp seem healthy. Covers filter intake, predation, starvation, and sensitivity issues specific to shrimplets.
Bacterial Infection in Shrimp
Identifying and treating bacterial infections in aquarium shrimp. Learn to recognize symptoms and understand why prevention through water quality is more effective than treatment.
Planaria in Shrimp Tank
Identifying and eliminating planaria flatworms that prey on shrimp, especially shrimplets. Learn safe treatment methods that won't harm your colony.
Blue Dream Shrimp FAQ
Blue Dream Shrimp display a deeper, more opaque sapphire blue coloration, while Blue Velvet Shrimp have a lighter, more translucent powdery blue appearance. They also come from different genetic lines - Blue Dream from Carbon Rili, and Blue Velvet from Red Rili through a different breeding path.
Yes, they can interbreed since both are Neocaridina davidi. However, crossing them produces brown or wild-type offspring rather than blue or red. Keep Blue Dream colonies separate from other Neocaridina colors to maintain their beautiful blue coloration.
Color loss can result from stress (parameter fluctuations, poor water quality), inadequate diet, or genetics. Ensure stable water parameters, feed color-enhancing foods with spirulina, and source shrimp from reputable breeders with strong genetic lines.
Absolutely! Blue Dream Shrimp are just as hardy as Cherry Shrimp. They tolerate a wide range of water parameters, breed easily, and don't require specialized equipment like RO water systems or buffering substrates that more sensitive species need.
Light-colored substrates like white sand or light gravel provide excellent contrast and make their blue coloration really stand out. Unlike Caridina shrimp, Blue Dreams don't require buffering substrates and thrive with inert options.
Blue Dream Shrimp were selectively bred from Carbon Rili Shrimp, which themselves came from Red Rili Shrimp. Through generations of selective breeding, hobbyists isolated and intensified the blue pigmentation while eliminating the clear Rili sections.
Start with at least 10 shrimp to establish a healthy breeding colony. This provides genetic diversity and allows natural social behaviors. In a 10-gallon tank, you can eventually maintain a colony of 50-100 shrimp.
Track Your Blue Dream Shrimp Parameters
Stop guessing. Start tracking. ShrimpKeeper gives you species-specific parameter ranges, instant diagnostics, and historical graphs for your Blue Dream Shrimp colony.