Wild Clear Shrimp Care Guide: Everything You Need to Know

Wild Clear Shrimp are an interesting and unusual choice for a freshwater aquarium. Unlike brightly coloured Neocaridina varieties, wild-type and clear shrimp have a more natural appearance that can make them particularly appealing to aquarists who enjoy a more understated aquarium.

They are also hardy, relatively easy to maintain and can breed readily when kept in the right conditions.

In this guide, we'll explain everything you need to know about Wild Clear Shrimp care, including their aquarium setup, water parameters, diet, breeding, tank mates and how to give them the best chance of thriving.

What Are Wild Clear Shrimp?

Wild Clear Shrimp are a naturally coloured form of Neocaridina, with LG Pleco listing the species as Neocaridina denticulata.

Rather than having the intense colours associated with selectively bred varieties such as red, blue or orange Neocaridina, wild-type shrimp have a more natural, translucent appearance.

This makes them an excellent choice for aquarists who prefer natural-looking freshwater aquariums.

At LG Pleco, the Wild Clear Shrimp are bred in-house and established in aquarium conditions before being offered for sale.

Why Keep Wild Clear Shrimp?

There are several reasons to consider adding Wild Clear Shrimp to your aquarium.

Hardy and adaptable

Neocaridina shrimp are popular partly because they can adapt to a range of aquarium conditions when introduced correctly and kept in a stable, mature aquarium.

Natural appearance

If you're creating a planted or biotope-inspired aquarium, the more subtle appearance of Wild Clear Shrimp can complement the tank without dominating the aquascape.

Easy to breed

Once established, Neocaridina can reproduce in freshwater aquariums without requiring a complicated breeding setup.

Excellent grazers

Shrimp spend much of their time exploring aquarium surfaces and grazing on biofilm, algae and tiny particles of food.

Interesting behaviour

Their small size doesn't make them boring.

Wild Clear Shrimp are constantly exploring plants, wood, rocks and other surfaces in search of food.

How Big Do Wild Clear Shrimp Get?

Wild Clear Shrimp are small freshwater shrimp.

The shrimp currently supplied by LG Pleco are approximately 1 cm, while the listed adult size is up to 4 cm

Because juveniles can be significantly smaller and less developed in colour than mature shrimp, don't be surprised if newly purchased shrimp look different from photographs showing fully grown individuals.

Wild Clear Shrimp Aquarium Setup

A mature aquarium is one of the best environments for keeping Wild Clear Shrimp.

They don't require an elaborate setup, but there are a few things worth prioritising.

Filtration

Choose filtration that provides good biological filtration without creating excessive flow.

A sponge filter is a popular choice for shrimp aquariums because it provides filtration while reducing the risk of small shrimplets being pulled into the filter.

If you're using another type of filter, consider protecting the intake with a suitable pre-filter sponge.

Plants

Live plants are highly recommended.

Plants provide additional surfaces for biofilm to develop and give shrimp places to explore and hide.

Mosses are particularly useful because their fine leaves provide lots of grazing surfaces and shelter for young shrimp.

Hiding places

Wood, rocks, moss and dense plants can all provide useful cover.

This is particularly important if Wild Clear Shrimp are being kept with fish, as young shrimp are vulnerable to predation.

Mature aquarium

Avoid adding shrimp to a brand-new aquarium.

A mature aquarium contains naturally occurring microorganisms and biofilm that provide an important food source for shrimp.

Wild Clear Shrimp Water Parameters

According to the current LG Pleco product listing, Wild Clear Shrimp are kept at a temperature range of 26–29°C and a pH range of 6.0–7.5.

The most important thing when keeping shrimp is to maintain stable conditions rather than making frequent, dramatic changes.

Before adding shrimp, test your aquarium and make sure ammonia and nitrite are at zero.

A stable, fully cycled aquarium is far more important than constantly attempting to adjust the water to a particular number.

What Do Wild Clear Shrimp Eat?

Wild Clear Shrimp are natural scavengers and grazers.

In an established aquarium, they'll spend much of their time searching for:

• Biofilm
• Algae
• Microorganisms
• Small particles of food
• Decaying plant matter

You can supplement this natural food with a quality shrimp food.

Shrimp pellets and specialised aquarium shrimp foods are useful, while small amounts of suitable vegetables can also be offered occasionally.

The biggest mistake to avoid is overfeeding.

Uneaten food can break down and negatively affect aquarium water quality.

It's better to feed small amounts and monitor how quickly your shrimp consume the food.

Do Wild Clear Shrimp Need Plants?

They don't absolutely require live plants, but plants are one of the best additions you can make to a shrimp aquarium.

Plants provide:

• Grazing surfaces
• Shelter
• Biofilm
• Protection for young shrimp
• Additional oxygen production
• A more natural environment

Mosses are especially useful for breeding colonies because shrimplets can hide within the dense growth.

Can Wild Clear Shrimp Live With Fish?

They can, but choosing tank mates carefully is essential.

Many aquarium fish will eat baby shrimp if they can catch them.

Even small and relatively peaceful fish may view tiny shrimplets as food.

If your main goal is to build a large Wild Clear Shrimp colony, a dedicated shrimp aquarium is the safest option.

If you do keep fish with your shrimp, provide plenty of plants, moss and hiding places.

You should still expect some young shrimp to be lost.

How Do Wild Clear Shrimp Breed?

One of the most interesting aspects of keeping Neocaridina shrimp is watching them reproduce.

Once mature, females can carry eggs beneath their bodies. This is commonly referred to as a female being "berried".

After the eggs develop, tiny shrimplets are released into the aquarium.

Unlike some other freshwater shrimp, Neocaridina don't require a separate marine or brackish larval stage.

This makes them relatively straightforward to breed in a home aquarium.

How to encourage breeding

The best way to encourage a healthy breeding colony is to provide:

• Stable water conditions
• Good water quality
• Plenty of food and biofilm
• Plants and hiding places
• Minimal stress
• A suitable group of mature shrimp

Once a colony becomes established, you may start noticing very small shrimplets moving around the aquarium.

How Many Wild Clear Shrimp Should You Keep?

Shrimp are social animals and generally look more comfortable when kept in groups.

LG Pleco recommends keeping these shrimp in groups because this can increase their confidence and encourage them to remain visible in the aquarium.

Starting with a group also gives you a better chance of establishing a breeding colony if you have both males and females.

Are Wild Clear Shrimp Good for Beginners?

Yes.

Wild Clear Shrimp can be an excellent option for someone who wants to start keeping freshwater shrimp.

Their small size, natural appearance and relatively straightforward care requirements make them appealing to beginners, while their breeding behaviour and constant activity also make them interesting for experienced aquarists.

The key is to remember that "hardy" doesn't mean indestructible.

Shrimp still need a properly cycled aquarium, stable water parameters and good water quality.

Common Wild Clear Shrimp Care Mistakes

Adding shrimp to a new aquarium

A newly established aquarium may not have enough biofilm or biological stability to support shrimp successfully.

Give the aquarium time to mature.

Overfeeding

Extra food isn't necessarily beneficial.

Excess food can decay and contribute to poor water quality.

Sudden water changes

Large differences in temperature or water chemistry can stress shrimp.

When carrying out maintenance, aim to keep replacement water as consistent as possible with the aquarium.

Using unsuitable tank mates

Always consider whether a fish is capable of eating shrimp or shrimplets.

A peaceful fish isn't necessarily a shrimp-safe fish.

Keeping too few hiding places

Shrimp feel more secure when they have plenty of cover.

Plants, moss, wood and other aquarium decorations can all help.

How to Introduce Wild Clear Shrimp to Your Aquarium

When your shrimp arrive, don't rush the introduction.

Temperature and water chemistry can differ significantly between the transport water and your aquarium.

Allow the shrimp to acclimatise gradually before releasing them.

Once they're acclimated, transfer them carefully into the aquarium.

Try to avoid adding unnecessary transport water to your main aquarium.

Wild Clear Shrimp at LG Pleco

LG Pleco's Wild Clear Shrimp are bred in-house, meaning they're accustomed to aquarium conditions before being offered for sale.

The current listing describes them as hardy, adaptable, easy to maintain and easy to breed. They are also sold as juveniles, so their appearance can develop as they mature.

If you're looking for a natural-looking Neocaridina for your freshwater aquarium, Wild Clear Shrimp can be a fascinating alternative to the more brightly coloured varieties.

Wild Clear Shrimp FAQs

What are Wild Clear Shrimp?

Wild Clear Shrimp are naturally coloured Neocaridina shrimp. LG Pleco lists the species as Neocaridina denticulata.

Are Wild Clear Shrimp easy to care for?

Yes. They are considered hardy and adaptable, making them a suitable choice for beginners who have a mature, properly cycled aquarium.

How big do Wild Clear Shrimp get?

LG Pleco currently lists their juvenile Wild Clear Shrimp at approximately 1 cm, with an adult size of up to 4 cm.

What do Wild Clear Shrimp eat?

They naturally graze on biofilm, algae and microorganisms in the aquarium. You can supplement this with dedicated shrimp food.

Can Wild Clear Shrimp breed in freshwater?

Yes. Neocaridina can breed in freshwater aquariums and don't require a separate marine larval stage.

Can Wild Clear Shrimp live with fish?

They can, but fish may eat shrimplets. If breeding is your priority, a dedicated shrimp aquarium is the safest option.

What temperature do Wild Clear Shrimp need?

LG Pleco currently lists a temperature range of 26–29°C for these shrimp.

What pH do Wild Clear Shrimp need?

The current LG Pleco listing gives a pH range of 6.0–7.5