Shrimp Name: Snowball Shrimp/ White Pearl Shrimp (Neocaridina cf. zhangjiajiensis var. white) (High Order)

Origin: The wild type of the Snowball shrimp were originally found in southern China; however it was in Germany that the white color variety was first bred in captivity.

Description: My snow whitish coloration is the foundation for my naming. You need not look any further because it is self explanatory. Maximum size is 3cm depending on the sex. Lifespan averages between 1-2 years. I am an algae eater and I like to scavenge for food. I am mostly active during the day when scavenging for food. Like all dwarf shrimp I an omnivore and I not only feed on algae but flake food, my exoskeleton and other dead shrimp as well. I am not an aggressive shrimp and I will not hunt down any shrimp or fish for that matter.

Water Parameters: I would recommend frequent water changes as this is a requirement if one wants to continue keeping me. I prefer temperature ranges of 18°C – 29°C with pH levels of 6.5 – 7.8. Despite my fragile whitish appearance I do adjust quiet well to different water parameters and I do not mind soft or hard water. I would urge caution for those who are interested in breeding me, for my rate of reproduction is reduced if temperatures are too low. This is the opposite of Crystal Red Shrimp that actually thrives in lower temperatures.

Sexing: The females are much larger than the males. If the eggs are not visible enough, the females have a ‘saddle’ underneath the bottom section of the carapace. Also, the female has a curved underbelly. The white coloration in females is not as dominant in males just like the male Cherry shrimp. Their underbellies are straight and not curved. There are usually some common traits in terms of sexing when it comes to dwarf shrimp.

Breeding: Just like the Cherry shrimp, Snowball shrimp are easy to breed as long as the tank is well planted. I am a prolific shrimp and clean water is essential to my continuous breeding. The young ones do not go through a larvae stage; they are fully developed miniature adults. Their eggs are full blown white. From being berried to hatching it takes an average of 30 -45 days. The presence of small black dots (eyes) within the berried shrimp is usually a good indication of imminence of a full circle.

Compatibility: I am a non–aggressive dwarf shrimp that can be housed with any live bearers or small fish. If one intends to breed any dwarf shrimp then a separate tank for them will be better as their young can be eaten. I SHOULD NOT be housed with these shrimp as it may lead to cross breeding, in simple words that you can understand; we are in-com-pa-ti-b-le: Algae, (Nectarine), Neocaridina H., Red Cherry, Yellow, Blue Pearl and Blue shrimp.