BBA Worlds / Shrimp

Shrimp Aquarium World

Look closer: a cherry shrimp works across moss, another explores a leaf, and the wood becomes a landscape of grazing surfaces and quiet retreats. Start with one coherent Neocaridina colony, then explore the very different habitats other freshwater shrimp need.

Shop the shrimp botanical route Explore the materials

Red cherry shrimp grazing on Cholla, moss and leaves in a planted freshwater aquarium with open sand and a small shelter — A Neocaridina colony habitat concept. The alternative habitats below are separate aquarium plans, not companions for this scene.

A small world, seen up close

Follow the surfaces through the scene. Each material has a role; a mature habitat also needs stable water, oxygen and measured feeding.

Cherry shrimp on the porous lattice of Cholla among moss — Cholla: a textured meeting place
The lattice adds texture and accessible surfaces. Check openings, condition the wood and leave room to lift it for maintenance. Compare the actual product photographs and dimensions rather than expecting the illustrated piece.
Compare the real BBA material
Catalogue photograph - material example, not the illustrated piece
Cholla Wood / Cactus SkeletonView product and options →

BBA catalogue photograph: Cholla Wood / Cactus Skeleton — Cholla: a textured meeting place
The lattice adds texture and accessible surfaces. Check openings, condition the wood and leave room to lift it for maintenance. Compare the actual product photographs and dimensions rather than expecting the illustrated piece.
Compare the real BBA material
Catalogue photograph - material example, not the illustrated piece
Cholla Wood / Cactus SkeletonView product and options →

Moss attached around branching aquarium wood — Wood gives the planting its shape
Secure the main structure first. Moss and other suitable plants can build cover around it while open routes let you see the colony and remove leftover food.
Compare the real BBA material
Catalogue photograph - material example, not the illustrated piece
Mangrove Root DriftwoodView product and options →

BBA catalogue photograph: Mangrove Root Driftwood — Wood gives the planting its shape
Secure the main structure first. Moss and other suitable plants can build cover around it while open routes let you see the colony and remove leftover food.
Compare the real BBA material
Catalogue photograph - material example, not the illustrated piece
Mangrove Root DriftwoodView product and options →

Cherry shrimp exploring brown leaf litter beside an open sandy route — A leaf layer with breathing space
A modest mix of prepared leaves creates different surfaces without burying the whole floor. Mulberry is one option for supplementary grazing; it does not supply a complete diet. Add small amounts and observe the water and animals.
Compare the real BBA material
Catalogue photograph - material example, not the illustrated piece
Dried Mulberry Leaves – Aquarium Shrimp Food & Leaf LitterView product and options →

BBA catalogue photograph: Dried Mulberry Leaves – Aquarium Shrimp Food & Leaf Litter — A leaf layer with breathing space
A modest mix of prepared leaves creates different surfaces without burying the whole floor. Mulberry is one option for supplementary grazing; it does not supply a complete diet. Add small amounts and observe the water and animals.
Compare the real BBA material
Catalogue photograph - material example, not the illustrated piece
Dried Mulberry Leaves – Aquarium Shrimp Food & Leaf LitterView product and options →

A small woody shelter beside planting and the sandy maintenance corridor — A retreat you can still inspect
A sheltered edge gives the composition depth. Choose openings that suit the inhabitants, keep the structure secure and preserve access for inspection; the real coconut cup is an alternative form, not a promise of the illustrated shape.
Compare the real BBA material
Catalogue photograph - material example, not the illustrated piece
Coconut Cup (Cocos nucifera) – Natural Botanical CaveView product and options →

BBA catalogue photograph: Coconut Cup (Cocos nucifera) – Natural Botanical Cave — A retreat you can still inspect
A sheltered edge gives the composition depth. Choose openings that suit the inhabitants, keep the structure secure and preserve access for inspection; the real coconut cup is an alternative form, not a promise of the illustrated shape.
Compare the real BBA material
Catalogue photograph - material example, not the illustrated piece
Coconut Cup (Cocos nucifera) – Natural Botanical CaveView product and options →

Four approaches. Separate aquariums.

The main scene follows a Neocaridina colony. These alternatives need different water, feeding and layout plans; they are not a stocking list for one tank.

Neocaridina davidi

Neocaridina colony

Mature planting, moss, protected filter intakes and accessible surfaces for a freshwater colony.

Water, layout and feeding

Match the established stock’s water and make gradual, temperature-matched changes. Use suitable leaf portions and conditioned wood as part of the structure. Surface growth is useful grazing, but deliberate balanced feeding and regular maintenance remain necessary. Do not copy Bee-shrimp mineral targets simply because both are small shrimp.

Compare the Shrimp Grazing Kit Explore Nettle Shrimp Food

Caridina logemanni

Crystal Bee shrimp

A dedicated soft-water approach with deliberate mineral and carbonate management.

Water, layout and feeding

Use the established line’s requirements to plan water preparation, substrate and matched changes. Suitable botanicals are a gradual addition, not a way to manufacture the required GH, KH or stability. Keep different breeding lines separate where identity matters; Tiger shrimp have their own profile and are not automatically interchangeable.

Compare Catappa leaf sizes Explore Botanical Grazing Pellets

Caridina dennerli

Sulawesi Cardinal shrimp

Warm, alkaline, consistently mineralised water and mature rocky grazing surfaces.

Water, layout and feeding

This is a separate Lake Matano-inspired plan, not a blackwater variation. Follow the Cardinal guide for mineral preparation, temperature, filtration and measured feeding. Do not add acidic active soil, tannin products or a deep decomposing leaf layer by default. BBA does not list a specialist Sulawesi mineral recipe here; do not substitute a general botanical bundle for it.

Atyopsis moluccensis / Atya gabonensis

Bamboo and Vampire shrimp

Current, oxygenation and secure elevated feeding positions, planned for the chosen species.

Water, layout and feeding

These fan feeders need suitably fine suspended balanced food delivered where their fans can collect it. Flow alone is not nutrition, and a bottom-feeding pellet or Lubao sachet is not a substitute. Vampire shrimp require a larger structural allowance than dwarf shrimp. Compare the two profiles before choosing space, companions and refuges; this route does not require keeping them together.

Explore wood for secure feeding perches

Choose a role, then choose a product

The products below belong to suitable planted colony plans. They are not a universal shopping list for every shrimp habitat.

Structure and sheltered surfaces

Use secure wood and a well-sized shelter to define the layout. Add Cholla where its texture serves a purpose, leaving room for circulation and cleaning.

Cholla Wood Mangrove Root Driftwood Coconut Cup

A varied, modest leaf layer

Compare the shape and portion size of Mulberry and Catappa. Add prepared material gradually to a suitable established aquarium; tannin colour does not prove safe conditions.

Mulberry leaves Catappa leaves

Feeding is a separate job

Plan a balanced ration for the actual shrimp, then use supplementary grazing foods in measured amounts. Remove excess and judge feeding access rather than treating a busy-looking aquarium as proof of adequate nutrition.

Botanical Grazing Pellets Nettle Shrimp Food Snowflake Shrimp Food Compare the food and mineral bundle contents

Bundles with a purpose

A kit can make it easier to compare several material roles. Check every component against the chosen aquarium; use Lubao and biofilm packs as directed, with observation, rather than adding the whole selection at once.

Shrimp Grazing Kit Shrimp Biofilm Builder Pack Premium Lubao Bags

Real BBA products for the planted colony

Current catalogue photographs, options and availability. Compare the contents with your species plan before buying; the illustrated aquarium is not sold as a complete kit.

There is more to explore

Explore different foods and material sizes without repeating the same choice in every habitat.

Feed deliberately

Supplement grazing with a suitable balanced feeding plan. These are products to compare, not foods that every shrimp must receive together.

BBA catalogue photograph: Nettle Shrimp Food

Plant-based supplementary feeding option

Nettle Shrimp FoodView product and options →

BBA catalogue photograph: Snowflake Shrimp Food

Compare ingredients and measured use

Snowflake Shrimp FoodView product and options →

BBA catalogue photograph: Complete Shrimp Food & Mineral Bundle

Read each included product and its role

Complete Shrimp Food & Mineral BundleView product and options →

Explore the shrimp shopping route

Layer the habitat

Select the structure and leaf portion for your actual aquarium. Keep cleaning access and observe breakdown rather than adding more for appearance alone.

Main structure and planting support

Mangrove Root DriftwoodView product and options →

BBA catalogue photograph: Indian Almond / Catappa Leaves – Aquarium Botanicals

Choose an appropriate leaf size

Indian Almond / Catappa Leaves – Aquarium BotanicalsView product and options →

A different form of sheltered space

Coconut Cup (Cocos nucifera) – Natural Botanical CaveView product and options →

Browse shrimp aquarium products

Build the habitat in a sensible order

The picture is a composition idea. A successful shrimp aquarium develops through preparation, maturation and observation.

Choose the species first
Read the care profile and decide on water, temperature, space and food before buying the hardscape. Keep the four routes distinct.
Prepare and secure the structure
Rinse and prepare suitable materials. Protect filter intakes, maintain surface movement and leave access around wood and shelters.
Mature before adding a colony
Establish biological filtration and accessible grazing surfaces. Confirm stable conditions instead of using an attractive finished scene as a readiness test.
Add botanicals gradually
Introduce modest leaf portions and observe their breakdown, the water and the animals. Keep oxygenation and maintenance ahead of a darker colour.
Feed the shrimp you chose
Provide suitable balanced nutrition and watch access to food. Fan feeders need a suspended-food plan; aquarium surface growth is not a complete ration.
Keep the layout accessible
Remove leftover food, make appropriate matched changes and inspect shelters and filter guards. Leave quiet cover during moulting.

Turn the scene into a care plan

Practical reading from the BBA Knowledge Centre, chosen for this World.

How to Prepare Aquarium Botanicals Safely

Prepare the materials and introduce them gradually.

Read the guide →

White Film on Aquarium Botanicals: Normal Process or Warning Sign?

Recognise ordinary surface films and the signs that deserve closer attention.

Read the guide →

Tannins vs Organic Load: Why They Are Not the Same

Separate water colour from the organic load of the aquarium.

Read the guide →

Aquarium Botanicals and Live Plants: Light, Leaf Litter and Growing Space

Keep light, leaves and usable growing space in balance.

Read the guide →

Browse the Knowledge Centre

Meet the Shrimp

Seven existing care profiles, each with its own water, feeding and development requirements. These are alternatives to research, not a mixed-species recommendation.