Not furry either, still lovely.
Blue Velvet Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi
Also called Blue cherry shrimp, Blue Neocaridina
From Bred in aquariums from Neocaridina davidi, a shrimp native to East Asia (Taiwan, eastern China, Korea and Vietnam).1
A friendly guide, not veterinary advice. For anything about your pet's health, ask your vet.
At a glance the quick version
Figures for the species: males about 2.5-3 cm, females up to about 4 cm.
Figures for the species; cooler water tends to mean a longer life.
Looks how to spot one
Thin exoskeleton that is shed (moulted) as the shrimp grows
A small freshwater shrimp in solid blue, the same shape and size as the familiar red cherry shrimp. Aquarium Co-Op notes that 'blue cherry shrimp' and 'blue velvet shrimp' are used for the same blue line.23
Personality what they are like
Peaceful, harmless and easy-going, spending its time grazing. It is safe with plants and with other small, gentle tankmates.21
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Busy all day, constantly picking over plants, wood and stones for food.2
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Keep water stable and add new shrimp slowly. Calcium-rich foods support good moulting. To keep the colour strong, breeders remove the paler young from the line over generations.23
Home where they are happiest
A planted freshwater aquarium; around 10 US gallons (about 38 L) or more suits a breeding colony, though nano tanks work. Aquarium Co-Op gives 16-28 °C (about 22-24 °C for breeding), pH 6.5-8.5, GH at least 6 and KH at least 2. Moss and hiding places help the babies.2
Food basics what goes in the bowl
Omnivorous grazers of algae, biofilm and detritus. Supplement with shrimp pellets or gel food, calcium-rich foods and blanched vegetables.12
Company who they like around
Keep as a group of at least ten so both sexes are present. They suit calm community tanks with other small, peaceful animals.2
The story where it all began
Wild Neocaridina davidi are a mottled brown that blends in with their surroundings. Hobbyists selected and bred unusual individuals over many generations to fix new colour lines, and blue is one of the lines that came from this work.12
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
Baby shrimp hatch as tiny copies of the adults, about 1-2 mm long, skipping a free-swimming larval stage.1
- 2
A female carries her eggs under her tail for a few weeks; hobbyists call her 'berried'.2
- 3
Blue in shrimp colouring comes from special reflective pigment cells called iridophores, one of several colour-cell types these shrimp have.1
- 4
Blue velvet is simply a colour form of the cherry shrimp, so it shares the same Latin name as the red, yellow and other lines.3
Recognised by the official bits
- Taxonomy (via Wikipedia)
- A selectively bred colour line of Neocaridina davidi (Bouvier, 1904), family Atyidae; all Neocaridina colour lines belong to the same species.1
- Hobby naming (via Aquarium Co-Op)
- Sold under colour names alongside red, orange, green jade, chocolate and other Neocaridina lines; no formal registry or standard exists.2
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Blue Velvet Shrimp. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- FeedingSmall amountsevery day
- Temperature checkevery day
- Water changeSmall, gentle water changesevery week
- Water testevery week
- Filter rinseRinse in old tank water, never tap waterevery month
Owner questions the things everyone asks
How often should I feed my Blue Velvet Shrimp?
Feed small amounts daily, as they graze constantly on algae and biofilm. Furry Diary's starting plan suggests a small daily feed, and you can adjust based on how quickly they finish it.21 Furry Diary plan
What does a Blue Velvet Shrimp eat, and what should it never eat?
They eat algae, biofilm, shrimp pellets, blanched vegetables, and calcium-rich foods. Never give them anything with copper or medications not labeled safe for invertebrates.21
How much space does a Blue Velvet Shrimp need?
A 10-gallon tank (about 38 liters) is great for a breeding colony, though smaller nano tanks can work. Provide plenty of moss and hiding spots for babies.2
What temperature, light or water does a Blue Velvet Shrimp need?
Keep water at 16-28°C (22-24°C for breeding), pH 6.5-8.5, with GH at least 6 and KH at least 2. Normal aquarium lighting is fine, and stable water is key.2
How often should I clean a Blue Velvet Shrimp's home?
Do small, gentle water changes weekly and test the water each week. Rinse the filter in old tank water monthly, never tap water. Furry Diary plan
Can a Blue Velvet Shrimp live with others?
Yes, they are peaceful and do well in groups of at least ten. They suit calm community tanks with other small, gentle animals.2
How long does a Blue Velvet Shrimp live?
They typically live 1 to 2 years. Good care and stable water help them reach the upper end of that range.21
Can I handle a Blue Velvet Shrimp?
It's best not to handle them, as they are delicate and can be stressed or injured. Enjoy watching them graze instead.2
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Furry Diary's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
You might also like
Cherry ShrimpLike what we are building? Buy Archy a bone.
All of this is free for everyone, with a source on every fact, and it will never show annoying ads. It was a big job to build, so if it helped you, buy Archy a bone. Any amount is lovely, and no is a perfectly fine answer too.
Archy is our Australian Cattle Dog and chief taste tester. Tips go to 4V3D OÜ, the small family studio behind Furry Diary.
Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- Neocaridina davidi - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for taxonomy, origin, size, lifespan, colour cells, diet, history, fun facts
- Cherry Shrimp Care Guide - Aquarium Co-Op aquariumcoop.comused for colour lines, water parameters, tank size, group size, diet, size by sex, lifespan
- Freshwater shrimp guide - Aquarium Co-Op aquariumcoop.comused for blue velvet as another name for blue cherry shrimp, same species as other colours, culling for colour
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Feeding times and frequency for your dog vcahospitals.comused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Dog grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Cat grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: People foods to avoid feeding your pets aspca.orgused for owner questions
- RSPCA: What to feed your rabbit rspca.org.ukused for owner questions
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.