About Blue Velvet Shrimp
Blue Velvet Shrimp are a beautiful variety of Neocaridina davidi known for their soft, translucent blue coloration that has a distinctive powdery or velvety quality. Unlike the solid, opaque blue of Blue Dream Shrimp, Blue Velvets have a more ethereal appearance where light seems to filter through their semi-transparent bodies, creating a gentle, dreamy effect that many hobbyists find enchanting. The Blue Velvet lineage originated from the Red Rili line through a different breeding path than Blue Dream Shrimp. While both varieties appear blue, their genetics are distinct, and they have notably different appearances. Blue Velvets maintain some of the translucency inherited from their Rili ancestors, giving them their characteristic velvety look. Some specimens may occasionally show faint reddish or pink spots, a trait carried over from their Red Rili heritage. As a member of the Neocaridina family, Blue Velvet Shrimp are incredibly hardy and adaptable, making them perfect for beginners. They thrive in the same conditions as Cherry Shrimp and breed just as readily. Their unique coloration provides a softer aesthetic option for those who find the intense colors of Blue Dream or Cherry Shrimp too bold for their planted tank setup.
Quick Facts
Water Parameters for Blue Velvet Shrimp
Maintaining stable water parameters is crucial for the health and coloration of Blue Velvet 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 Velvet Shrimp
- Minimum 5 gallon tank recommended
- Light or white substrate creates beautiful contrast
- Dense planting with Java Moss and other fine-leaved plants
- Sponge filter provides gentle flow and grazing surfaces
- Driftwood and botanicals for additional hiding spots
Care Tips for Blue Velvet Shrimp
- Maintain stable water parameters for best coloration and health
- Keep in groups of at least 10 to encourage natural behavior
- Provide plenty of hiding spots with plants, moss, and hardscape
- Light substrates enhance their delicate blue appearance
- Do not mix with other Neocaridina varieties to maintain pure genetics
- Avoid copper-based medications which are toxic to all shrimp
- Small frequent water changes (10-15% weekly) are ideal
Feeding Blue Velvet Shrimp
- Feed quality shrimp foods 2-3 times weekly as supplementation
- Biofilm on tank surfaces should be their primary food source
- Blanched vegetables provide excellent variety
- Spirulina foods may help enhance blue coloration
- Always remove uneaten food within a few hours
Breeding Blue Velvet Shrimp
- Blue Velvet Shrimp breed true when kept in isolated colonies
- Do not cross with Blue Dream - despite both being blue, they have different genetics
- Females carry 20-30 eggs for approximately 30 days
- Shrimplets are fully independent at birth and need no special care
- Occasional offspring may show red spots - a trait from their Rili ancestry
Blue Velvet Shrimp Grading System
Blue Velvet 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 Velvet
Light blue coloration with noticeable translucency. The velvety blue appearance is present but may be patchy.
Characteristics
- Light to medium blue color
- Semi-transparent body
- Velvety powder-like appearance
- Some areas may be lighter
High Grade Blue Velvet
More consistent blue coverage while maintaining the characteristic translucent, velvety appearance.
Characteristics
- Consistent blue throughout
- Strong velvety quality
- Minimal pale areas
- Good color intensity
Grades listed from lowest to highest quality
Common Problems with Blue Velvet Shrimp
- Color may appear washed out under certain lighting - adjust spectrum if needed
- Red spots appearing is normal and relates to Rili ancestry genetics
- Mixing with Blue Dream produces offspring of variable quality
- Parameter swings can cause stress and color loss
- Insufficient minerals lead to molting problems
Troubleshooting Blue Velvet 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 Velvet Shrimp FAQ
Blue Velvet Shrimp have a softer, more translucent blue with a powdery appearance, while Blue Dream Shrimp are deeper, more opaque sapphire blue. They come from different genetic lines - Blue Velvet from Red Rili, and Blue Dream from Carbon Rili. Blue Velvets look more ethereal, while Blue Dreams look more solid.
While they can technically live together, breeding them will produce offspring with mixed and often unpredictable coloration since they have different genetics. For best results maintaining either variety, keep them in separate tanks.
This is normal and traces back to their Red Rili ancestry. Some Blue Velvet Shrimp carry genes that can express as faint red or pink spots. This is not a sign of illness or poor quality, just a reminder of their genetic heritage.
No, they have identical care requirements. Blue Velvet Shrimp are just as hardy and beginner-friendly as Cherry Shrimp. They tolerate the same water parameters and breed just as readily in proper conditions.
Blue Velvets are naturally more translucent than Blue Dreams, so some paleness is normal. However, stressed shrimp can lose color. Ensure stable parameters, proper diet, and avoid recent additions that might cause stress. Lighting spectrum can also affect how their color appears.
Color is primarily genetic, but you can enhance it by: feeding spirulina-based foods, maintaining stable water parameters, using appropriate lighting, and selectively breeding your best-colored individuals over time.
A minimum of 5 gallons is recommended, though 10 gallons provides more stable water parameters. Blue Velvet Shrimp have a small bioload, so you can keep 5-10 per gallon in a well-maintained tank.
Track Your Blue Velvet Shrimp Parameters
Stop guessing. Start tracking. ShrimpKeeper gives you species-specific parameter ranges, instant diagnostics, and historical graphs for your Blue Velvet Shrimp colony.