Dirk Blankenhaus, Neocaridina heteropoda var yellow, CC BY-SA 3.0
appearance
The Yellow Fire Shrimp is native to Asia and can be found in the wild in Japan and Taiwan. It owes its name to its intense yellow colour. The older the shrimp gets, the more intense the color glows. Young animals usually only shimmer slightly yellowish or are completely transparent. The color of the females is often even more intense than that of the males.
Another difference between the sexes: Females are usually slightly larger and stockier than their male counterparts. In contrast to that of the males, the back line of the females can often be clearly identified. The shrimp belongs to the Neocaridina family. It grows up to three centimeters. Their life expectancy is two years.
attitude
Yellow Fire Shrimp should not be kept alone as they are group animals. Groups of 10 to 20 animals are optimal. The shrimp are satisfied with a small aquarium (capacity of approx. 25 litres). The water temperature should be between 18 and 28 degrees and the pH of the water should be in the range of six to eight. It is important to ensure that the water does not contain copper.
The shrimp are not choosy when it comes to the floor covering of the aquarium. However, they form a particularly nice contrast to dark sand or gravel soil. In terms of the further setup of the aquarium, the Yellow Fire shrimp are not quite so undemanding. In any case, the aquarium should have plenty of plants, wood, roots, stones and other hiding places. The shrimp like to graze on moss or other fine-leaved plants. Aquatic plants such as Wendt’s water cup, red tiger lotus or red Ludwigia can also be planted in the shrimp’s aquarium without hesitation. A shrimp-friendly filter is recommended.
lining
A varied diet is one of the basic requirements for shrimp to feel good. Although the yellow fire shrimp is an omnivore, it prefers plant food. It feeds mainly on algae and dead plant parts. The shrimp keep their aquarium clean: stones or wood on which algae are growing are cleaned by them. This should always be considered when feeding. The little animals also like to eat brown autumn leaves and provide variety in the diet. Boiled carrots or peppers can also be fed. In addition, the shrimp can be given protein food once or twice a week.
breed
If the shrimp feel comfortable in the aquarium, they reproduce quickly. Good water values, lots of plants and a varied diet are the basic requirements for this. The reproduction of the shrimp works as follows: In the neck of the female shrimp, the eggs mature for about four weeks. The female then molts and releases scents to attract a male. The fertilized eggs mature for three to four weeks before the offspring finally hatch.
About 30 baby shrimp hatch per female. The young are fully formed when they hatch. However, their carapace is not yet colored yellow, but rather transparent. They do not require any care from the parents. The adult animals pose no danger to the young. Especially in the first few weeks after hatching, a varied diet is particularly important to support the growth of the animals. During the growth phase, the animals shed their skins again and again and gradually their coloration changes to the typical yellow of the yellow fire shrimp.
socialization
The Yellow Fire Shrimp has no objection to company in the aquarium. She is a peaceful animal and this characteristic should of course also apply to her roommates. Non-predatory fish, for example, are well suited for socializing with the Yellow Fire shrimp. Crayfish, freshwater crabs, mussels and snails can also be placed in the aquarium without hesitation.