Snowball shrimp care
Snowball shrimp are a white, slightly see-through dwarf shrimp, also sold as white pearl shrimp. They are a Neocaridina, the same easy group as cherry shrimp, and The Shrimp Farm rates them as easy to keep and breed. Their name is usually linked to the eggs, which can look like tiny snowballs under the female's tail.
What is a snowball shrimp?
The Shrimp Farm lists the snowball as Neocaridina zhangjiajiensis 'Snowball' and gives Taiwan as its origin. Aquarium Breeder points out that the classification is disputed: some hobby sources place it under N. zhangjiajiensis and others under N. palmata, and the arguments aren't settled in peer-reviewed work. For keeping them, it doesn't matter much; they behave like other Neocaridina. Aquarium Breeder says the snowball reached the German hobby in 2006 and that the blue pearl shrimp was later selected from it.
| Snowball shrimp | |
|---|---|
| Also called | White pearl shrimp |
| Group | Neocaridina (see Caridina vs Neocaridina) |
| Look | Translucent white body; the female's saddle of developing eggs looks white |
| Adult size | About 2.5–3 cm (Aquarium Breeder) |
| Difficulty | Easy (The Shrimp Farm) |
| Lifespan | About 1–2 years (Aquarium Breeder) |
Tank setup
- Size: The Shrimp Farm suggests at least 5 gallons (19 L); Aquarium Breeder calls 10 gallons optimal. More water swings less. See how many shrimp per gallon.
- Cycle first: both sources stress a fully cycled tank, with ammonia and nitrite at zero. See how to cycle a shrimp tank.
- Filter: The Shrimp Farm calls a filter the one must-have, and suggests a sponge filter or an intake cover so babies aren't sucked in. See shrimp-safe filters.
- Cover and plants: hiding places and live plants help them feel safe and grow the biofilm they graze. Aquarium Breeder also suggests almond leaves and alder cones. See best plants for shrimp tanks and driftwood and botanicals.
- Heater: The Shrimp Farm says room temperature is usually fine, but a heater helps if the room swings, for example with open windows. See nano shrimp tank heaters.
Water parameters
The Shrimp Farm says snowballs handle a wide range of pH, hardness and indoor temperatures, and that a cycled tank and stable water matter more than exact numbers. If you want targets, these are Aquarium Breeder's:
| Parameter | Aquarium Breeder: optimal (range) | More detail |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 72–82 °F | shrimp tank temperature |
| pH | 7.0–7.5 (6.0–8.0) | shrimp tank pH |
| GH | 6–8 (4–14) | GH and KH explained |
| KH | 2–4 (1–8) | GH and KH explained |
| TDS | 150–200 (80–300) | TDS explained |
| Nitrate | Under 20 ppm | nitrate in a shrimp tank |
The Shrimp Farm recommends liquid test kits over strips for accuracy; see shrimp water test kits. Many keepers use dechlorinated tap water if it sits inside these ranges; see can shrimp live in tap water.
Feeding
Snowballs are omnivores that graze biofilm and algae. The Shrimp Farm suggests a good shrimp food about once a day in a clean tank, with blanched vegetables, frozen foods and dried leaves such as nettle as extras, and removing leftovers within a few hours. Aquarium Breeder warns against overfeeding, which fouls the water and can feed pests such as planaria and hydra. In a mature, planted tank many keepers feed less often. See best shrimp food and what shrimp eat.
Water changes
The Shrimp Farm recommends weekly water changes to keep nitrate low, always matching temperature and pH and adding the new water slowly. See shrimp tank water changes.
Breeding and the "snowball" eggs
Snowballs breed readily in a settled tank. The Shrimp Farm says females are nearly always carrying eggs, that the eggs hatch after 30–45 days into tiny copies of the adults, and that you don't need to separate the babies. Aquarium Breeder notes that females are larger, with a saddle on the back, that shrimp mature at about 2–3 months, and that a female can release around 30–50 young every 5–6 weeks. It recommends starting with a group of at least 10.
The eggs are where the name is usually said to come from: the saddle and freshly laid eggs look white against the body. Aquarium Breeder calls them pure white in one section and describes a clutch of yellowish eggs in another, so expect anything from white to pale cream. See berried shrimp care, baby shrimp care and how to breed cherry shrimp, which works the same way.
Tank mates and crossbreeding
- Safest: a shrimp-only tank, which The Shrimp Farm says is best for breeding. Snails are fine (see snails with shrimp).
- Peaceful fish: The Shrimp Farm suggests very small, peaceful fish such as pygmy Corydoras or kuhli loaches. Any fish will eat some babies. See shrimp tank mates.
- Other shrimp: snowballs cross with cherry shrimp and other Neocaridina. The Shrimp Farm warns that a mixed tank may look striking but can end in brownish offspring, and Aquarium Breeder says hybrids drift back toward the wild look within a couple of generations. Caridina such as crystal reds don't cross with them, though they usually want softer water. See cherry shrimp colors and grades.
To keep the line bright white, The Shrimp Farm suggests removing the dullest shrimp, or moving the best ones to their own tank to breed.
Common mistakes
- Adding shrimp to a new tank that hasn't finished cycling.
- Big water changes with water that doesn't match on temperature or pH.
- Overfeeding, then fighting cloudy water, planaria or hydra.
- Keeping them with cherry or blue shrimp and wondering why the babies turn brown.
If shrimp are dying, work through why are my shrimp dying.
Track it
Log temperature, pH, GH and TDS on the free Water Parameter Log printable so you can spot drift before it costs you shrimp.
Frequently asked questions
Are snowball shrimp easy to keep?
Yes. The Shrimp Farm rates them easy. A cycled tank, stable water and light feeding are the main needs, much like cherry shrimp.
What size tank do snowball shrimp need?
The Shrimp Farm suggests at least 5 gallons (19 L), and Aquarium Breeder calls 10 gallons optimal. A larger tank is more stable.
Do snowball shrimp need a heater?
Usually not. Room temperature is fine for most homes, but a heater keeps things stable if the room temperature swings.
Why are they called snowball shrimp?
The name is usually linked to their eggs and saddle, which look white against the body, like tiny snowballs. Up close the eggs are often pale cream or yellowish.
Can snowball shrimp breed with cherry shrimp?
Yes. Both are Neocaridina, so they can cross, and the babies tend to drift toward a brownish wild look. Keep one color per tank to keep the line white.
How fast do snowball shrimp breed?
Aquarium Breeder says they mature at about 2–3 months and a female can release around 30–50 young every 5–6 weeks. The Shrimp Farm says eggs hatch after 30–45 days.
What do snowball shrimp eat?
Biofilm and algae, plus a good shrimp food, blanched vegetables, frozen foods and dried leaves. Feed lightly and remove leftovers within a few hours.
Sources: The Shrimp Farm, Snowball shrimp care sheet (Neocaridina zhangjiajiensis 'Snowball', white pearl shrimp, Taiwan, easy; at least 5 gallons/19 L; filter the must-have, sponge filter or intake cover; hiding places and live plants; room temperature usually fine, heater if the room fluctuates; wide water range but cycled, zero ammonia and nitrite; liquid test kits over strips; weekly matched water changes added slowly; pygmy Corydoras or kuhli loaches, shrimp-only best for breeding; feed about daily, blanched vegetables, frozen foods, nettle, remove leftovers within a few hours; females nearly always berried, eggs hatch after 30–45 days, no need to separate babies; remove less colorful shrimp; mixing with other Neocaridina may give brownish offspring); Aquarium Breeder, Snowball shrimp detailed guide (classification disputed between N. zhangjiajiensis and N. palmata; German hobby 2006; blue pearl selected from snowball; 10 gallons optimal; 2.5–3 cm; 72–82 °F, pH 7.0–7.5 (6.0–8.0), GH 6–8 (4–14), KH 2–4 (1–8), TDS 150–200 (80–300), nitrate under 20; lifespan 1–2 years; group of at least 10; mature at 2–3 months; females larger with a saddle; eggs described as both white and yellowish; about 30–50 young every 5–6 weeks; hybrids revert toward wild type; snails and Caridina as tank mates; overfeeding linked to planaria and hydra; almond leaves and alder cones); The Shrimp Farm, Neocaridina shrimp care and breeding (general Neocaridina care; don't mix color lines to avoid hybrids).