Blue Velvet Shrimp Care: Everything You Need To Know About Blue Velvet Shrimp

According to experts, Blue Velvet shrimps thrive in temperatures from 72 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit with a pH anywhere between 6.8 and 7.5. However, these parameters are not enough to keep the fish alive and healthy for their entire lives. Other things like specific diets and social interaction with other fish are also necessary for Blue Velvet Shrimp care!

As beautiful as these fish are, Blue Velvet Shrimp care requires specific knowledge about the species, what it eats, and its compatibility with other fish. And to make sure that your aquatic pets live to their fullest and stay healthy for longer, make sure you know all there is to know about them and their behaviors.

From their lifespan to the possible diseases these fish may have, you need to know everything. Not only will it ensure a longer life for the Blue Velvet shrimp, but it is also crucial for the other tank mates you’re planning to get.

Types of Shrimps

For those who are not very aware of the shrimp community, this might come as quite a shock. There is a minimum of 300 different shrimp species in our world, and only the smallest portion of it is available commercially. However, we can narrow down these species into some broad categories, like red, brown, white, and pink.

• Pink shrimps are the commonly found shrimps that most people see in grocery stores and meat marts. When they are raw, they are typically pink, which gives them their designated name.

• White shrimps are generally sweeter but nuttier compared to pink shrimps. There are further subcategories in white shrimps as well, including Mexican and Chinese white shrimps, which are not typically wild-caught but farmed species.

• Brown shrimps are different from both pink and white shrimps since they have more iodine in them and give off more minerals in their flavor. Once you cook them, they start turning pink, and you will spot them in gumbo and other similar dishes.

• Red shrimps are called so because of their bright and vibrant color. They also have a firm texture and rich flavor similar to that of a lobster.

• Rock shrimps are typically found residing inside hard shells when they are sold and cooked. They are deshelled first and then sold or consumed. These, too, have a very firm texture, similar to a lobster. In fact, rock shrimps are often used as a substitute for lobsters since they are a more budget-friendly and affordable form of protein.

• The tiger shrimp, a lesser-known type of shrimp, is quite large and has stripes on its surface, hence its name. These shrimps, however, are usually farmed, so they are not sustainable.

Blue Velvet Shrimp Species

These blue shrimps are a unique species originating from freshwater shrimps. They result from breeding from wild Red Cherry shrimps, and they are a beautiful color variant of the species Neocaridina Davidi.

The blue velvet shrimps are not rare, per se. However, they require specific breeding, and they’re native to Taiwan. You can’t find them in the wilds, and they don’t occur naturally, so they’re quite a sight to behold. Needless to say, they’re expensive too! To be honest, it’s hard to get your hands on one of these in general fish stores and aquariums, and if you do get one, it’s quite an investment.

Blue Velvet Shrimp Lifespan

If given the proper Blue Velvet Shrimp care, these fish can live around 1 to 2 years. Their lifespan essentially depends on two things: their breeding and environment. Don’t worry, a few days of irregular food timings won’t kill the fish! However, poor conditions and long-term neglect can potentially, and eventually, kill these aquatic beauties.

Breeding also decides how long the shrimps will live. If there are any genetic defects, problems, diseases, or a naturally smaller lifespan, there’s not much you can do except manage it and adapt to it. In such cases, even the healthiest environments and utmost care cannot extend the shrimp’s lifespan.

Blue Velvet Shrimp Appearance

In terms of appearance, these Blue Velvet shrimps are not very different from other shrimps. They have two maxillipeds for grabbing different items and six walking legs, three on each side. They have a thick abdomen, and it starts to become thinner and taper off near the tail, also called the uropod. Their antennas are usually moving, and they are pretty firm.

So, the details and body structure is pretty much the same, so are the dimensions and sizes. However, the significant difference and a very obvious one is the color.

The bright, vibrant blue color of the shrimp is so eye-catching and unusual that it almost looks fake at first glance. The hue and shades might differ slightly among different shrimps, but they are all a beautiful vibrant blue.

Interestingly enough, their entire body is the same shade of blue, including their abdomen, legs, tail, and head. So all the different parts of their structure will be the same color, it almost looks as if they are painted with a brush.

Some blue velvet shrimps also have dark tiny dots over their body. Most shrimps will have them in abundance near the front, where the legs are. It is not surprising at all that this breed is so in-demand, and everyone wants it in their aquatic collection- it makes quite a statement!

In terms of size, the blue velvet shrimps are not very large. Their maximum growth size is two inches, and only the biggest, most giant female shrimps grow this big. The average length of a blue velvet shrimp is around 1.5 inches in females, and in males, it is 1.25 inches. Hence, these are generally very small sea creatures.

Blue Velvet Shrimp Care

Now that you know what the shrimp looks like, where it comes from, and all the other details about the species, let’s get into the care and conditioning of the Blue Velvet shrimp.

The care of the fish involves where you put it what you feed it and who you pair it up with. There are specific temperatures and pH requirements that you need to keep in mind when putting these shrimps in the aquarium.

If the environment these shrimps are kept in is subpar or below average, as mentioned earlier, their lifespan will decrease massively, and they will die sooner than they should. So, here are some of the most important things to keep in mind about Blue Velvet Shrimp care:

Tank size

The size of the tank matters more than you think. If you buy a tank too small for your shrimps, they’ll feel suffocated. Plus, when your shrimps breed and create new blue velvet shrimps, the population will increase rapidly, and the tank will become too small for it.

Replacing the tank frequently is bad for the fish and your pocket! It’s quite a hassle too and takes a lot of time and effort.

Experts recommend a tank size of a minimum of 5 to 10 gallons for blue velvet shrimps. If you plan to breed the shrimps, getting a 10-gallon tank would be the right choice, so you don’t have to replace the tank for a very long time.

The habitat would also become more elaborate, and water parameters would be more consistent. Getting large freshwater tanks is also sometimes a good idea if you want to add more fish to the tank and create an ecosystem of your own.

The pH level of the water

Water pH is extremely important, but unfortunately, it is mostly overlooked. Cases of fish dying because of wrong pH levels are not very rare, which is a perfect example of how quickly you can kill your blue velvet shrimps or any other aquatic pet for that matter if you don’t know these essential details.

For blue velvet shrimps, the water pH inside the tank should be around 6.8 to 7.5, which is the ideal range. However, if it varies from 6.4 to 8.0. there is still a good chance that the shrimp will survive.

Temperature and harshness of the water

Just like pH, the temperature of the water is another significant feature that affects the lifespan and health of the shrimps. If the water inside the tank is too hot or too cold, your fish will die and you will never find out what happened.

For blue velvet shrimps, the temperature range should be around 72 Fahrenheit to 82 Fahrenheit. Temperature fluctuations slightly above and below these readings are bearable, but too much of these fluctuations can eventually make the environment unbearable for the fish.

As for the hardness, the ideal water hardness level is 0 to 8 KH for blue velvet shrimps. However, these species are known to be capable of tolerating water even harder.

What To Put In Their Tank

Blue Velvet shrimps, especially dwarf shrimps, love plants for many reasons. Firstly, they love the shade that these plants provide. Secondly, newborn as well as adult blue velvet shrimps love to graze on the algae. And thirdly, the plants cleanse the water and keep it fresh and clean for the fish.

Adding rocks, ornaments, and driftwood would also be a good idea because these large surfaces grow algae. When biofilm accumulates there, the blue velvet shrimps can eat it later.

If you wonder what substrate you should use, the shrimps don’t really mind as they are a flexible aquatic species. They do have a preference for rocky bottoms, but they will live well with sand as well. If there are special requirements of the other fish in the tank, you can work your way according to their needs, and the blue velvet shrimp will adapt.

Lighting Conditions

Blue Velvet shrimps typically don’t need special lights in their tank. So, if you have any other fish in the tank or plants with specific lighting requirements, you can plan the environment according to them.

Common Possible Diseases Of A Blue Velvet Shrimp

If you take good care of blue velvet shrimps, they don’t really get sick or catch any diseases. However, you must remember that copper does not do well with these fish. If you have copper in the tank, even the slightest amount of it can kill the blue velvet shrimps very quickly.

In order to avoid such a hazardous situation, make sure you do a water test first and then introduce the fish inside the tank. If you want to add specific medications for other fish in the tank, make sure you remove the blue velvet shrimps first because most medications for fish contain heavy amounts of copper in them.

Food & Diet Of A Blue Velvet Shrimp

The most important part of the Blue Velvet Shrimp care is its food, and it’s surprisingly more straightforward than you may think. These shrimps feed on organic matter like biofilms and algae since they are omnivores.

Hence, most of their diet comes naturally, and you don’t have to do much except keep an eye on the tank and make sure they have lots of food to eat. You should add supplements to it, like plant-based flakes. These supplements will make sure that the shrimps get all their basic nutrition. Just make sure you get these from a good, reputable brand.

The occasional addition of veggies is also an excellent way to amp up their diet and keep it fun.

Behavior & Temperament of Blue Velvet Shrimps

These shrimps are lovely when it comes to behavior! They’re simple, small, and extremely harmless. In fact, they spend most of their time looking for algae, staying away from drama! They’re peaceful fish and typically make good companions for other peace-loving aquatic creatures.

Possible Tank Mates And Compatibilities Of The Blue Velvet Shrimp

A considerable part of the Blue Velvet Shrimp care is who it lives with and who you decide to put in its company. Blue Velvet shrimps are not compatible with every fish in the ocean, and they have specifications when it comes to keeping tank mates. For example, any fish that is aggressive, large, and eats dwarf shrimps is a major no! These include:

If you put baby blue velvet shrimps or dwarf shrimps with these fish, their lifespan will decrease to one aggressive fight or an hour’s delay in lunch!

On the other hand, small, calm, and peaceful fish will make a good match for blue velvet shrimps. Some good choices for tank companions would be:

These creatures are peace-loving and won’t harm the blue velvet shrimps. In fact, you can keep otocinclus along with breeding blue velvet shrimps as well.

Breeding Of Blue Velvet Shrimps

Surprisingly enough, breeding Blue Velvet shrimps is pretty straightforward. In fact, their breeding doesn’t even require a lot of time or effort from your side. Just give it the right environment and proper conditions and put a pre-filter on your filter’s intake (a sponge would work).

Remove all the fish from the tank (even the otocinclus if you can; if you can’t, don’t stress over it, they’ll be perfectly fine). Female blue velvet shrimps can carry around 30 to 50 eggs under their tails in the form of a cluster.

When the baby shrimps hatch, the newborns look very similar to their parents. In fact, they just look like a smaller version of a fully adult blue velvet shrimp. So far, so good! The breeding process is pretty easy up till this point.

However, the real challenge begins now because keeping these newborns alive and allowing them to grow into mature adults is the real task. The tank must have adequate biofilm and/or algae for the babies to eat. If the tank lacks both of these things, which is usually the case in new tanks, the shrimps start to starve.

If you own a new tank, you must be aware of this fact and feed the shrimp by crushing the algae into small flakes. You can drop these flakes inside the water, and the shrimps will be fed very easily. Once this newborn blue velvet shrimp is about three months old, it will become sexually mature and have babies of its own.

Under proper Blue Velvet shrimp care and a good environment, ten shrimps can multiply and become 1,000 in only 6 to 8 months.

Why my Blue Velvet Shrimp Dying?

Blue velvet shrimp just need a small amount of food to survive. Feeding it more food than it can consume in two hours is a typical cause of death, so don’t overfeed them. A shrimp of this type may not require additional feeding in established tanks with enough biofilm and algae.

Any food, prescription, or plant fertilizer that includes copper in any form should be avoided. Copper can poison invertebrate animals like shrimp.

Copper, or more often copper sulfate, is found in many commercial fish meals, pharmaceuticals, and plant fertilizers. Always check the ingredient list before adding anything to the tank to be sure it’s copper-free. There are other possible causes why your blue velvet shrimp could die:

Water Sources

Examine the water source from which you refilled your tank. Many locations clean their water using chlorine and, in some instances, chloramine, which is necessary for human consumption but harmful to shrimp.

Tank

Check to see whether the tank’s silicone is a different color than it ought to be. The silicone may have absorbed a drug or chemical if it appears colored or tinted. Certain drugs that are suitable for other aquatic animals aren’t always safe for blue velvet shrimp. Any cleaning solution or product (detergent, soap, etc.) should be avoided because it could harm your shrimp.

Are Blue Velvet Shrimps Nocturnal?

Blue velvet shrimps are not nocturnal animals but their activity may make them seem that way. The activeness of the blue velvet shrimp is very dependent on their surroundings as they are very shy creatures and tend to hide under the plants or rocks.

These creatures are usually very active for the majority of the day but will hide and remain inactive when overwhelmed by the presence of other animals such as fish that they might be sharing their tank with.

Blue velvet shrimp is a freshwater shrimp with a beautiful blue color. These creatures are very easy to care for as they live off of the algae and plants that are placed with them that grow on the tank. They are easy to manage as they clean their own tank making them not only a beautiful sight to see but also a great benefit for your fish tank.

So if you ask the question, “Is blue velvet shrimp nocturnal?” the simple answer is no.

Final Words

Blue Velvet Shrimp care requires precision, attention, and knowledge. However, it’s not very complicated or tiring. Once you understand the species and its behavior, all goes well, and caretaking becomes effortless.

Besides, if you take good care of the shrimps, they’re a sight to sore eyes and definitely worth the care and efforts you put into them. The more you understand them, the easier their handling gets.

If you still have any questions regarding the care of these beautiful aquatic creatures, don’t hesitate to comment down below and ask them out.