Premium Skittles Shrimp are one of the most colorful and beginner-friendly freshwater shrimp available. Instead of choosing a single color variety, our Skittles Shrimp Pack includes a hand-selected assortment of vibrant Neocaridina shrimp that may include Red Cherry Shrimp, Blue Dream Shrimp, Yellow Shrimp, Orange Sakura Shrimp, Green Jade Shrimp, Snowball Shrimp, and Rili varieties. The result is an eye-catching rainbow shrimp colony that instantly transforms any planted aquarium.
At The Shrimp Farm, we've bred, imported, and shipped thousands of freshwater shrimp nationwide. Our Skittles Shrimp Packs have become one of our most popular products because they combine the hardiness of Neocaridina shrimp with incredible color diversity in a single colony. Whether you're setting up your first shrimp tank or adding more color to an established aquarium, Skittles Shrimp provide constant activity, natural algae grazing, and endless visual interest.
These assorted Neocaridina shrimp thrive in planted aquariums with mosses, driftwood, and plenty of biofilm-rich surfaces. They pair especially well with peaceful tank mates and are often considered one of the best freshwater shrimp options for beginners. Over time, many hobbyists enjoy watching their colony grow and discovering the unique color combinations that develop as the shrimp breed.
Every order is carefully packed and backed by The Shrimp Farm's Live Arrival Guarantee, so you can order with confidence and receive healthy, active shrimp ready for their new home.
Scientific Name: Neocaridina davidi
Common Name: Skittles Shrimp, Assorted Neocaridina Shrimp
Size: 0.75–1.25 inches
Temperament: Peaceful
Care Level: Easy (Great for Beginners)
Diet: Omnivore (algae, biofilm, shrimp foods, blanched vegetables)
Temperature: 68–78°F
pH Range: 6.5–8.0
GH: 6–12
KH: 2–8
Tank Size: 5+ gallons (10+ gallons recommended for larger colonies)
Lifespan: 1–2 years
Breeding: Easy—readily breeds in established aquariums
Colors Included: May include Red Cherry, Blue Dream, Blue Velvet, Yellow, Orange Sakura, Green Jade, Snowball, Rili varieties, and other Neocaridina color morphs
Shrimp Safe: Yes
Fish Safe: Best kept with small, peaceful fish
Plant Safe: Yes
Best For: Colorful planted aquariums, shrimp colonies, nano tanks, and beginner shrimp keepers
Yes, Skittles Shrimp are one of the best freshwater aquarium shrimp options for beginners. Because they are a mix of hardy Neocaridina shrimp varieties, they are generally more forgiving than many other shrimp species and can thrive in a wide range of stable aquarium conditions.
Unlike more delicate Caridina shrimp that often require specialized water parameters, Skittles Shrimp adapt well to most established freshwater aquariums. Their peaceful temperament, colorful appearance, and ease of breeding make them an excellent choice for hobbyists looking to start their first shrimp colony.
For the best success, we recommend keeping Skittles Shrimp in a fully cycled aquarium with stable water parameters, plenty of biofilm, and lots of plants or moss for grazing and shelter. A planted tank with species such as Java Moss, Subwassertang, or floating plants can significantly improve survival and breeding rates.
Many first-time shrimp keepers choose Skittles Shrimp because they provide the excitement of multiple colors in a single colony while still being easy to care for. As the colony grows, you'll enjoy watching the shrimp graze, molt, and reproduce throughout the aquarium.
Why beginners love Skittles Shrimp:
Easy to care for compared to many other shrimp species
Beautiful mix of colors in one aquarium
Peaceful and safe for planted tanks
Readily breed in stable conditions
Excellent cleanup crew that helps consume algae and biofilm
Suitable for nano tanks and community aquariums with peaceful fish
If you're looking for your first freshwater shrimp colony, Skittles Shrimp are one of the most colorful and beginner-friendly options available.
-Red Cherry
-Blue Dream
-Yellow
-Orange
-Green Jade
-Snowball
One of the most common questions we receive is what happens when different colors of Neocaridina shrimp are kept together and allowed to breed.
The good news is that Skittles Shrimp breed readily in established aquariums, making them an excellent choice for hobbyists who want to grow a colorful shrimp colony. Females typically carry eggs every few weeks under good conditions, and baby shrimp often survive well in heavily planted tanks with plenty of biofilm and hiding places.
However, because Skittles Shrimp are a mix of multiple Neocaridina color varieties, their offspring will not consistently reproduce the same colors as their parents. In the first few generations, you may see a wide range of beautiful colors including reds, blues, yellows, oranges, greens, and Rili patterns. Over time, as different color lines continue to interbreed, many colonies gradually begin producing more wild-type brown, gray, or transparent shrimp.
This is completely normal and does not indicate poor health. Wild-type coloration is simply the natural genetic outcome when multiple selectively bred color strains are mixed together over several generations.
If your goal is to maintain a vibrant rainbow colony with lots of color variety, Skittles Shrimp are a fantastic choice. If your goal is to preserve a specific color line such as Blue Dream Shrimp or Cherry Shrimp, those varieties should be kept and bred separately.
What to expect when Skittles Shrimp breed:
Easy and prolific breeding in established aquariums
Colorful offspring in early generations
New and unexpected color combinations may appear
Some offspring may display Rili patterns or unique markings
More wild-type brown and gray shrimp may appear over time
Larger colonies often develop naturally with minimal intervention
For many hobbyists, watching the colony evolve and produce unique color combinations is one of the most enjoyable aspects of keeping Skittles Shrimp.
At The Shrimp Farm, we've worked with thousands of Neocaridina shrimp over the years, and one thing we've consistently observed is that Skittles Shrimp perform best in mature, heavily planted aquariums. While stable water parameters are important, a tank rich in biofilm, mosses, driftwood, and natural grazing surfaces often has a bigger impact on long-term success than chasing perfect water numbers.
For hobbyists looking to grow a large colony, we recommend adding Java Moss, Subwassertang, or floating plants to provide shelter for baby shrimp. These plants not only create hiding places but also encourage biofilm growth, which serves as a natural food source for young shrimp.
One common question we receive is whether mixed-color colonies eventually lose their color. While some wild-type shrimp may appear over multiple generations, many hobbyists find that the constantly changing variety of colors, patterns, and markings is one of the most enjoyable aspects of keeping Skittles Shrimp. If your goal is maximum color diversity and a vibrant display aquarium, Skittles Shrimp are hard to beat.
Our biggest piece of advice is simple: focus on stability. Avoid sudden changes in water parameters, feed a quality shrimp diet, and allow the aquarium to mature naturally. Healthy, stable tanks almost always produce the best results.
✅ Healthy, Active Shrimp
We take pride in shipping healthy, well-established shrimp that are actively feeding and adapting well before they ever leave our facility.
✅ One of Our Most Popular Shrimp Packs
Skittles Shrimp are a customer favorite because they offer the beauty of multiple shrimp varieties in a single colony without the expense of purchasing several separate color lines.
✅ Perfect for Beginners
Neocaridina shrimp are among the hardiest freshwater shrimp available, making Skittles Shrimp an excellent choice for both first-time shrimp keepers and experienced hobbyists.
✅ Live Arrival Guarantee
Every order is backed by The Shrimp Farm's Live Arrival Guarantee, allowing you to order with confidence year-round.
✅ Expertly Packed for Safe Shipping
We have shipped thousands of shrimp across the United States and use proven packing methods to help ensure your shrimp arrive healthy and stress-free.
✅ Breeding Potential
Given stable water parameters and a mature aquarium, Skittles Shrimp readily reproduce, allowing hobbyists to enjoy a growing colony over time.
✅ Trusted by Shrimp Keepers Nationwide
The Shrimp Farm has helped thousands of customers successfully keep and breed freshwater shrimp, earning a reputation for quality livestock, excellent customer service, and reliable shipping.
BACKED BY THE SHRIMP FARM'S LIVE ARRIVAL GUARANTEE!
Great for new hobbyists or seasoned experts, the Shrimp Starter Pack includes ten assorted varieties of healthy and hardy Neocaridina shrimp! These colorful aquatic crustaceans are an entertaining addition to any aquarium and can be used in planted tanks as well.
Shrimp is a fun and entertaining addition to any aquarium. With 10 assorted Neocaridina shrimp, this starter pack is ideal for first-time aquarists, or hobbyists looking to add more variety to their tanks.
You will get a randomly selected pack of 10 Neocaridina shrimp. The pack of 10 will include at minimum at least three of these types of shrimp (We try to include more types when possible). Special requests are not accepted to choose certain types from below. This is a random selection.
These Neocaridina Shrimp are kept in GH of 8-12, PH of 7.0-7.6, KH-4-6.
We feed our shrimp Ebita Breed Quatro 2 which can be found on our website.
| Feature | Skittles Shrimp | Single-Color Neocaridina |
|---|---|---|
| Color Variety | Excellent | Limited |
| Visual Impact | Excellent | Moderate |
| Breeding True | No | Yes |
| Beginner Friendly | Excellent | Excellent |
| Colony Uniqueness | High | Moderate |
Skittles Shrimp are among the easiest freshwater shrimp to care for, making them an excellent choice for both beginners and experienced shrimp keepers. Because they are a mix of hardy Neocaridina shrimp varieties, they adapt well to a wide range of aquarium conditions when provided with clean, stable water.
A 5-gallon aquarium is sufficient for a small Skittles Shrimp colony, but a 10-gallon or larger tank is recommended for long-term success. Larger aquariums provide greater water stability and more room for the colony to grow and breed.
Skittles Shrimp thrive in stable water conditions:
Temperature: 68–78°F
pH: 6.5–8.0
GH: 6–12
KH: 2–8
Ammonia: 0 ppm
Nitrite: 0 ppm
Nitrate: Under 20 ppm
Consistency is often more important than chasing exact numbers. Sudden changes in water parameters can stress shrimp and lead to molting issues.
Heavily planted aquariums provide the best environment for Skittles Shrimp. Plants, driftwood, mosses, and botanicals encourage the growth of biofilm, which serves as a natural food source.
Popular shrimp plants include:
Subwassertang
Anubias
Bucephalandra
A sponge filter is highly recommended because it provides gentle filtration while protecting baby shrimp from being sucked into traditional filter intakes.
Skittles Shrimp are omnivorous scavengers that spend most of their day grazing on algae, biofilm, and microorganisms throughout the aquarium.
Supplement their diet with:
Algae wafers
Blanched zucchini
Blanched spinach
Feed sparingly to avoid excess waste and water quality issues.
Skittles Shrimp do best with peaceful tank mates that will not prey on adults or baby shrimp.
Good tank mates include:
Otocinclus
Small Rasboras
Nerite Snails
Avoid large or aggressive fish such as Cichlids, Goldfish, and larger Loaches.
Skittles Shrimp breed readily in established aquariums with stable water conditions. Females will carry eggs under their abdomen for approximately 3–4 weeks before releasing fully formed baby shrimp.
Providing plenty of moss, plants, and biofilm-rich surfaces will greatly improve baby shrimp survival rates and help establish a thriving colony.
Perform regular water changes of approximately 10–20% weekly using dechlorinated water that closely matches your aquarium's existing temperature and parameters. Small, consistent water changes are generally safer for shrimp than large water changes.
With proper care, Skittles Shrimp can live 1–2 years and quickly develop into a colorful, active colony that becomes the centerpiece of a planted aquarium.
Live plants are one of the best investments you can make for a Skittles Shrimp aquarium. Not only do plants make the tank more attractive, but they also provide shelter, improve water quality, encourage biofilm growth, and increase baby shrimp survival rates.
Because Skittles Shrimp spend much of their day grazing, heavily planted aquariums often produce healthier, more active colonies with better breeding success.
Java Moss is widely considered one of the best plants for freshwater shrimp. Its dense structure provides excellent hiding places for baby shrimp while collecting biofilm and microorganisms that shrimp naturally feed on.
Subwassertang creates a soft, tangled structure that shrimp love to explore. It offers exceptional cover for baby shrimp and quickly becomes coated with beneficial biofilm.
Anubias is an easy-to-grow plant that thrives in low-light aquariums. Its broad leaves provide excellent grazing surfaces where shrimp can feed on algae and biofilm throughout the day.
Bucephalandra is a favorite among shrimp keepers because its slow-growing leaves develop a steady supply of biofilm. It also adds beautiful colors and textures to planted shrimp tanks.
Floating plants such as Frogbit, Red Root Floaters, and Salvinia help create a more natural environment by reducing excess light and absorbing nutrients from the water. Their root systems also provide additional grazing areas for shrimp.
Many experienced shrimp keepers create moss-covered driftwood, moss walls, or dense shrimp forests to maximize surface area for biofilm growth. These structures often become the most active areas of the aquarium.
Plants provide numerous benefits for a shrimp colony:
Increase biofilm production
Improve water quality
Provide hiding places for baby shrimp
Reduce stress
Improve breeding success
Create natural grazing surfaces
Enhance the overall appearance of the aquarium
For the healthiest and most colorful Skittles Shrimp colony, we recommend combining several plant species along with driftwood, leaf litter, and other natural hardscape elements to create a mature, biofilm-rich environment.
Skittles Shrimp are a colorful assortment of Neocaridina shrimp that may include red, blue, yellow, orange, green, white, and Rili varieties. They are one of the most popular options for hobbyists who want a vibrant, eye-catching shrimp tank without purchasing multiple color lines separately.
Our Premium Skittles Shrimp Pack includes 10 healthy assorted Neocaridina shrimp. Larger quantity options may also be available for hobbyists looking to start a larger colony.
Each Skittles Shrimp Pack is hand-selected for maximum color diversity. Possible colors may include Cherry Shrimp for sale, Blue Dream Shrimp, Blue Velvet Shrimp, Yellow Shrimp, Orange Sakura Shrimp, Green Jade Shrimp, Snowball Shrimp, and Rili varieties. Exact colors and quantities vary based on availability.
Because Skittles Shrimp are sold as an assorted mix, we cannot guarantee specific colors. Our goal is to provide the most colorful and diverse assortment possible with every order. We include a minimum of 3 colors per 10 shrimp ordered.
Yes. Skittles Shrimp are Neocaridina shrimp, which are widely considered one of the easiest freshwater shrimp species to keep. Their hardiness, adaptability, and peaceful nature make them an excellent choice for beginners.
A 5-gallon aquarium can support a small colony, but a 10-gallon or larger planted tank is recommended for the best long-term success and breeding potential.
Skittles Shrimp thrive in stable water conditions with a temperature of 68–78°F, pH of 6.5–8.0, GH of 6–12, and KH of 2–8. Stability is often more important than chasing exact numbers.
Yes. Neocaridina shrimp are prolific breeders and will readily reproduce in established aquariums with stable water parameters, adequate food, and plenty of hiding places.
Mixed-color Neocaridina shrimp can produce a wide variety of offspring colors. Over multiple generations, colonies may gradually produce more wild-type brown or gray shrimp unless colors are selectively separated and bred.
Yes, they can be kept with many small, peaceful fish species. Good tank mates include Corydoras catfish, Otocinclus, small Rasboras, and Medaka Ricefish. Avoid large or aggressive fish that may prey on shrimp.
Skittles Shrimp are omnivores that feed on algae, biofilm, shrimp pellets, blanched vegetables, and other naturally occurring microorganisms found in healthy aquariums.
Most Neocaridina shrimp live approximately 1–2 years when kept in stable water conditions and provided with a high-quality diet.
Absolutely. Skittles Shrimp are completely plant-safe and are commonly kept in heavily planted aquariums where they help clean biofilm and algae from leaves and hardscape.
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