Snowball Shrimp (Neocaridina zhangjiajiensis)

Family: Atyidae

Snowball Shrimp — the porcelain-white morph of Neocaridina zhangjiajiensis from Zhangjiajie-region stock. Slightly larger and stockier than cherry shrimp, 2.5-3 cm, hardy at 18-26 °C, breeds freely; will not hybridize with N. davidi colors.

Care parameters

Water temperature: 18–25 °C
pH: 6.5–7.5
GH hardness: 6–12 dGH
Adult length: 2–2.5 cm
Minimum tank: 20 L
Water layer: Bottom — grazing plants and hardscape
Difficulty: Easy
Temperament: Extremely peaceful
Origin: Selective-bred form of the Chinese Neocaridina zhangjiajiensis

Species overview

Snowball Shrimp is the milky-white morph of Neocaridina zhangjiajiensis, a close relative of the cherry shrimp named after the sandstone scenery of Zhangjiajie in China's Hunan province, where the wild stock was first collected from cool, well-oxygenated hill streams. Taiwan breeders selected the palest wild individuals until the snowball line bred true — an opaque porcelain white that glows against dark aquasoil and green moss, one of the brightest-looking shrimp in the hobby. It grows slightly larger and stockier than N. davidi at up to 2.5-3 cm, and keeps the family's famous hardiness: 18-26 °C, pH 6.5-7.8, moderate hardness, and an easy-going appetite for algae, biofilm and standard shrimp foods. In the aquarium it is as active and visible as a red cherry and breeds with the same ease in pure freshwater — females carry a conspicuous snow-white clutch visible through the transparent underside. Because it is a different species from the davidi color morphs it will not hybridize with them, so it can share a tank with cherries without diluting either line.

Native biotope

Habitat: Any stable freshwater community aquarium
Flow: Gentle current
Dissolved O₂: Moderate oxygen

Aquascape & hardware

Substrate: Fine inert gravel or shrimp-safe sand
Hardscape: Java moss and driftwood for grazing
Plants: Dense moss and fine-leaf plants

Temperament, diet & tankmates

Schooling: Groups of 10 or more
Diet: Algae and biofilm grazer; color foods are unnecessary
Recommended tankmates: Neocaridina davidi color morphs — Different species — no hybrid risk, colors stay pure
Small peaceful community fish — Adults safe; moss for shrimplets
Otocinclus catfish — Gentle algae crew companion
Freshwater snails — Peaceful cleanup partners
Avoid keeping with: Copper-based medications — Lethal to all invertebrates
Large predatory fish — Shrimp are prey
High-temperature tanks above 27 °C — Shortens lifespan and fades the white

Breeding & notes

Sexual dimorphism: Females are noticeably larger and stockier with a deeper, rounded abdomen; males are slim and almost glassy white.
Breeding method: Breeds readily in pure freshwater. Females carry 20-30 creamy-white eggs for about three weeks; the white clutch shows clearly through the transparent swimmerets — a favorite sight in a mature tank. Hatchlings are miniature adults.

Frequently asked questions

Can snowball shrimp breed with cherry shrimp?

No — they are different species (N. zhangjiajiensis vs N. davidi). They will live together happily, but they will not hybridize, so both lines stay pure. This makes snowballs the safest mix-in for a multi-color shrimp tank.

Why do my snowballs look yellowish?

A yellow gut line is usually just food showing through — normal and actually a useful health sign. If the whole body yellows, check nitrate and temperature; chronic stress or high nitrate dulls the white.

Are snowball shrimp hard to keep?

No — they are as forgiving as cherry shrimp, with the same wide water tolerance and the same prolific freshwater breeding. A cycled tank and basic feeding discipline are all they need.

How big do snowball shrimp get?

Slightly larger than cherries: 2.5-3 cm for a well-fed female, with a noticeably deeper body. Males stay slimmer at about 2 cm.

What substrate shows snowball shrimp best?

Dark — black aquasoil, dark gravel or brown-black sand. White shrimp on light gravel become nearly invisible; on dark substrate they glow.