Pearl Blue Shrimp Neocaridina Zhangjiajiensis 2cm
Image for illustration purposes only. Exact colours, patterns, and size may vary between individuals.
Delivered alive, guaranteed
Live fish delivery is £20 per order, delivered Thursday, Friday or Saturday, arriving before 1:00pm on the day you choose at checkout. Packed by aquatic specialists and shipped overnight with a dedicated livestock courier, every fish is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee with automatic refunds. See How Live Fish Delivery Works for full details.
When will my fish arrive?
| Order placed | Delivery day |
|---|---|
| Up to Monday 11:00am | Thursday (that week) |
| Monday after 11:00am – Tuesday 11:00am | Friday (that week) |
| Tuesday after 11:00am – Wednesday 11:00am | Saturday (that week) |
| Wednesday after 11:00am – Sunday (any time) | Thursday (following week) |
Overview
The Blue Pearl Shrimp is a selectively bred colour form of Neocaridina zhangjiajiensis with a soft, translucent icy blue body. It is a busy scavenger that spends the day picking over plants, wood and substrate. Descended from wild stock in southern China, it suits planted nano and community tanks kept by beginners upwards.
- Adult Size: Around 2.5–3 cm (1–1.2 in); females larger than males
- Lifespan: 1–2 years
Origin
- Native to: Southern China (captive bred colour form)
- Habitat: Small vegetated streams and ponds
Feeding
- Diet: Omnivorous scavenger
- Preferred Foods: Biofilm, algae, shrimp pellets, blanched courgette, spinach, almond leaves
- Feeding Habits: Small pinch every one to two days; remove uneaten food within hours
Tank Mates
- Best with: Small rasboras, otocinclus, corydoras, nerite and ramshorn snails
- Avoid: Cichlids, bettas, barbs, loaches, Neocaridina davidi (cross-breeds)
Aggression & Behaviour
- Temperament: Completely peaceful
- Territoriality: None
Experience Level
- Difficulty: Beginner
- Challenges: Sensitive to copper and ammonia; needs a mature, cycled tank
Water Parameters
- Water Type: Freshwater, neutral to moderately hard
- Temperature: 18–26°C (64–79°F)
- pH: 6.5–7.8
- Hardness: 4–10 dGH
- Flow: Slow, sponge filtered
- Tank Size: Minimum 20 litres for a colony; larger tanks are more stable
Final Notes
Blue Pearls breed readily in freshwater: females carry eggs for about 30 days and release fully formed shrimplets, so a small group soon becomes a colony. Keep them in a mature planted tank with moss and hiding places for moults, and avoid any medication containing copper. Because the blue is a line-bred trait, cull paler offspring to keep colour strong. They are an easy, rewarding first shrimp.
Please Note
The livestock that is sold on our online site is not held in store at our Birchwood Aquatic Centre shop. Species sold at the Birchwood Aquatic Centre physical store may differ from ones available to order to your door.
Frequently Asked Questions
In insulated boxes designed for live transport, packed by aquatic specialists,
overnight with a licensed live-animal courier, arriving before 1pm.
It is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee.
Photograph it within 4 hours of delivery, email info@birchwoodaquaticcentre.co.uk with your order number, and the refund is processed automatically. The cover continues for 7 days after arrival.
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. You pick your day at checkout; please choose a day someone is home.
Yes. One basket, one checkout; the fish arrive with the specialist courier and the rest of your order ships as normal.
We can deliver to UK mainland only for live fish.
Follow the five-minute acclimatisation steps in our When Your Fish Arrive guide: float the bags, add tank water gradually, net the fish in, lights low, feed tomorrow.