How to Acclimate Neocaridina Shrimp
A step-by-step acclimation routine for Neocaridina and cherry shrimp on pickup day and the first quiet days afterward.
Prepare before pickup, compare the two waters, and make the transition slowly without adding transport water to the tank.
Prepare before the shrimp arrive
Complete normal maintenance at least a day before pickup rather than changing the aquarium on arrival day. Confirm that the tank is cycled, the filter intake is protected, and the temperature is stable.
Set out a clean shrimp-only container, airline tubing or another controlled acclimation method, a small net, and a cover for the container. Dim the aquarium lights and keep the room calm.
Inspect before opening
Check the sealed bag promptly. Shrimp may be pale or less active after transport, and hiding around packing material can be normal. Photograph any concern before opening when it is safe to do so.
Let the sealed container approach room and aquarium temperature gradually. Avoid placing a cold bag directly under hot lights or against a heater.
Compare source water and aquarium water
The size of the parameter difference should guide the transition. Ask for current source-water details and compare them with your tank rather than relying on a fixed timer for every order.
Move the shrimp into the clean acclimation container and introduce aquarium water in small, controlled amounts. Keep the container covered and temperature-stable throughout the process.
Transfer shrimp without transport water
When acclimation is complete, gently net or scoop the shrimp into the aquarium. Do not pour bag or transport water into the display tank.
Keep the aquarium light low after transfer. Shrimp may hide, explore the glass, or become temporarily less colourful while they settle.
- Handle the shrimp as little as possible
- Keep nets, containers, and tubing free of soap or cleaning residue
- Never chase a stressed shrimp around the aquarium
Watch the first 72 hours
Feed lightly, if at all, during the first day when mature grazing surfaces are available. Observe from a distance and avoid changing several things in response to normal hiding.
Repeated frantic swimming, loss of balance, or multiple shrimp remaining motionless in the open deserves a water check. Start with ammonia, nitrite, temperature, and recent changes before reaching for an additive.