Description
🌟 Choco Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi var. Chocolate)
📌 Basic Info
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Scientific Name: Neocaridina davidi (Chocolate variant)
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Common Name: Chocolate Shrimp / Brown Shrimp
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Size: ~1 – 1.2 inches (2.5 – 3 cm)
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Lifespan: 1.5 – 2 years
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Tank Zone: Bottom to mid (constantly grazing on plants, substrate, and tank surfaces)
🌊 Water Parameters
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TDS: 100 – 250 ppm
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pH: 6.5 – 7.5
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Temperature: 20°C – 26°C (68°F – 79°F)
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Water Type: Freshwater, soft to moderately hard
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Hardness: GH 4–8, KH 3–6
🐟 Characteristics
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Deep brown to chocolate-colored shell, sometimes with reddish or coffee tones.
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Peaceful and hardy → great for community or nano aquariums.
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Active algae eaters and tank cleaners.
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Easy to breed in stable conditions.
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Females are larger and usually show deeper chocolate coloring.
🍽️ Food
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Type: Omnivorous scavenger.
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Diet: Algae, biofilm, shrimp pellets, blanched vegetables (spinach, cucumber, zucchini), spirulina, quality shrimp food.
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Feeding Frequency: 3–4 times per week in very small amounts.
🛠️ Maintenance
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Perform 15–20% weekly water changes.
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Use a gentle sponge filter (safe for baby shrimp).
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Provide plants, moss, and driftwood → for grazing and hiding.
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Avoid copper in fertilizers/medications (toxic to shrimp).
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Focus on stable water conditions more than “perfect” numbers.
👥 Social Behavior
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Minimum Group Size: 10+ (they thrive in colonies).
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Tank Mates: Peaceful small fish – rasboras, ember tetras, endlers, guppies, otocinclus, snails.
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Avoid: Aggressive or predatory fish (bettas, cichlids, barbs, goldfish).
✅ Do’s
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Keep them in well-planted aquariums with moss and hiding spots.
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Acclimate slowly when adding to a new tank.
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Keep them in colonies for natural behavior and breeding.
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Maintain a cycled, stable aquarium.
❌ Don’ts
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Don’t keep with predatory/aggressive fish.
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Don’t overfeed (causes pollution).
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Don’t use copper-based treatments.
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Don’t place in new or unstable tanks.
⭐ Quick Tips
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Known for their rich chocolate brown color, rare and exotic look.
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Hardy, peaceful, and beginner-friendly.
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Excellent algae cleaners and easy to breed.
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Add a warm, earthy tone to any planted aquarium
