BLUE VELVET SHRIMP

The Blue Velvet Shrimp is a freshwater species that is popular in the aquarium trade due to its vibrant blue color¹. They are a unique color variation of the Red Cherry Shrimp and share a lot of the same care requirements¹. These shrimp are great algae-eaters and spend most of their time scavenging for organic matter such as algae and biofilm in the wild and will do the same in your tank¹. Here’s a comprehensive guide to caring for Blue Velvet Shrimp:

Appearance

• The Blue Velvet Shrimp has a typical shrimp body with three pairs of walking legs and two maxillipeds (that they use for grabbing things). Their abdomen is rather thick and only begins to taper off right before their uropod (tail). They have rather firm antennas that are often in motion. True to their name, this species is entirely blue. The exact shade and hue might differ a bit (there are a few variations of the Blue Velvet Shrimp) but they’re always quite vibrant¹.

Tank Size

• A 5-gallon tank is sufficient for a small group of Blue Velvet Shrimp¹.

Water Parameters

• Keep the water tank temperature between 72 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Maintain a pH level of 6.5 to 7.4².
• Nitrates should be low as well³.

What To Put In Their Tank

• Provide plenty of hiding places for the shrimp to feel secure.
• Use soft, fine-grained substrate for the shrimp to graze on.
• Add plants such as java moss to the aquarium to provide food and shelter for the shrimp².

Common Possible Diseases

• Blue Velvet Shrimp are generally hardy and disease-resistant, but they can be susceptible to bacterial infections and parasites¹.

Food & Diet

• Blue Velvet Shrimp are omnivores and will eat almost anything, including algae, biofilm, and leftover fish food¹.

Behavior & Temperament

• Blue Velvet Shrimp are peaceful and non-aggressive. They are social creatures and should be kept in groups of at least 5¹.

Tank Mates

• Blue Velvet Shrimp can coexist with other peaceful fish and invertebrates, but avoid keeping them with aggressive or predatory species¹.

Breeding

• Blue Velvet Shrimp are easy to breed and can produce up to 30 eggs at a time¹.

Give them a shot! Blue Velvet Shrimp are easy to care for and beneficial to your whole tank¹. Happy shrimp keeping! 🦐🦐🦐