Care at a glance
Translucent white body with iconic white egg saddle. Same Neocaridina care profile as cherries; prefers slightly harder water than Caridina lines.
By Mike ElmiraUpdated 1 min read
Part of our complete freshwater shrimp guide.
Shrimp
Snowball Shrimp
Neocaridina palmata var.
Selectively bred (China)Beginner
TL;DR, Snowball Shrimp
Translucent white body with iconic white egg saddle. Same Neocaridina care profile as cherries; prefers slightly harder water than Caridina lines.
Snowball Shrimp (Neocaridina palmata var.) reaches 2.5–3 cm and needs a minimum tank of 20 L with a colony of 10+. Native to Selectively bred (China). Aim for 18–28 °C, pH 7.0–8.0, 6–15 dGH, and 180–280 ppm TDS. Lifespan: 1.5 years. Breeding: very easy, eggs are white like snowballs. Diet: omnivore / detritivore, Biofilm, algae, blanched veg, sinking pellets. Plant-safe: Yes. Tank-mates: Nano fish only.
Tank fit
The parameters that decide whether snowball shrimp fits in your tank.
Parameters
15 °C20 °C25 °C30 °C
4.05.06.07.08.0
0 dGH5 dGH10 dGH15 dGH20 dGH25 dGH
035810
50 ppm150 ppm250 ppm350 ppm500 ppm
Still
Low
Medium
High
V. high
Profile
Colony minimum
10+
Diet
Omnivore / detritivore
Biofilm, algae, blanched veg, sinking pellets.
Clean-up crew
Strong
Breeding
Very easy, eggs are white like snowballs
Lifespan
1.5 yrs
Habitat
Bred from Neocaridina, wild kin in Eastern Chinese streams
Selectively bred (China)
Who it lives with
Tank-mate safety and the species this one is documented to thrive (or fail) alongside.
Good tank mates
Same as Cherry.
Avoid
Other Neocaridina morphs (colour reversion).
Pro tips
Hard-won lessons from the tank.
Stunning against dark substrate and dark plant backdrop. Their egg-carrying displays are arguably the most photogenic of any shrimp. Will eat algae and biofilm enthusiastically.
Things to watch for
What can go wrong and how to spot it.
Things to watch for
Failure modes, in order of how dramatic the fix is.
Health
Diseases
Same as Cherry shrimp.
Common mistakes
Common mistakes
Mixing with red Neocaridina, leading to muddy half-breeds within generations.
How to care for it
The practical routine, read top to bottom.
Tank setup
Identical to Cherry, but slightly preferring harder water (dGH 8–15). pH neutral to slightly alkaline.
Background
Where it comes from, how it behaves, and the variants you'll see at retail.
Show backgroundHide background
In the wild
Where it lived before it came home.
Native rangeChina
Origin · Selectively bred (China)
Selectively bred Neocaridina palmata (some sources still classify as N. zhangjiajiensis).
Behavior & breeding
How they pair, reproduce, and grow.
- Stage 1
Telling them apart Sexing
Same as all Neocaridina.
- Stage 2
Molting cycle Molting
Same as Cherry.
- Stage 3
Life stages Lifecycle
Direct freshwater development. White-coloured eggs are the visual signature.
Variants & identification
The named cultivars and the lookalikes worth flagging.
Color grades / variants
Translucent white body with opaque white spots (eggs visible as white 'snowballs' under tail — hence the name).
Frequently asked questions
Direct answers to the questions search engines and AI assistants surface most often about this species.
What tank size do Snowball Shrimp need?
Minimum tank: 20 L with a colony of 10+. Snowball Shrimp (Neocaridina palmata var.) reach 2.5–3 cm as adults.
What water parameters do Snowball Shrimp need?
Target 18–28 °C, pH 7.0–8.0, 6–15 dGH, and 180–280 ppm TDS. Mature, cycled, low-nitrate water is non-negotiable.
Are Snowball Shrimp safe with fish?
Tank-mate notes: Nano fish only. Plant safety: Yes.
How do Snowball Shrimp breed?
Breeding: Very easy, eggs are white like snowballs. In a stable colony of 10+ adults you will see berried females naturally once parameters and food are right.
What do Snowball Shrimp eat?
Diet: omnivore / detritivore, Biofilm, algae, blanched veg, sinking pellets. Algae-eating rating: 4/5.
How long do Snowball Shrimp live?
Typical lifespan: 1.5 years.
Sources & further reading
More shrimp
See all shrimpAdjacent specimens in the catalogue.
Cross-references
Build the rest of the tank.
A planted tank is a system. Pair this shrimp with one entry from each other pillar to plan the whole scape.
