Start with your aquarium and water routine. Color comes next. Use these four paths to decide which collection or care guide to explore before ordering.

Photo: cherry shrimp in a planted aquarium / PxHere, CC0 public domain. Illustrative photo; not a photograph of our current stock.

First: is the aquarium ready?

If the tank is new, its water measurements are unknown, or you are still troubleshooting losses, start with preparation. Record temperature, pH, GH, KH, ammonia, and nitrite. Compare your results with the requirements of the exact shrimp you want. A tank's age alone does not establish readiness.

Read our Neocaridina setup guide or bee Caridina setup guide before choosing livestock.

I want a colorful colony and a manageable starting point

Explore Neocaridina. These are a useful starting point for many shrimp keepers when their aquarium's water matches the selected shrimp's needs. Dennerle identifies Neocaridina as especially suitable for beginners. “Beginner friendly” still means an established aquarium, suitable water, and consistent maintenance. Source: Dennerle beginner guide.

If your aim is to maintain one color line through successive generations, start with one color variety. Mixing Neocaridina colors can produce offspring that differ from the parents, including less colorful animals. Source: Dennerle beginner guide.

Browse Neocaridina shrimp.

I want bee or Taiwan Bee patterns and can maintain their water routine

Plan a dedicated bee Caridina setup. Check the requirements of the exact line before choosing substrate or preparing replacement water. Dennerle distinguishes soft-water bee shrimp from easier starting options. Our bee Caridina setup guide walks through water preparation, soil, maturation, and the pre-purchase checklist. Source: Dennerle beginner guide.

The Caridina collection contains different shrimp. Use each listing's requirements; this path is specifically for bee and Taiwan Bee types, not every animal in the genus.

Explore Caridina shrimp.

I want active grazers rather than a growing cherry-shrimp colony

Consider Amano shrimp. They graze algae and leftover food, but still need an appropriate diet and routine tank maintenance. Their young do not develop like cherry-shrimp babies in a normal freshwater colony setup. Aquarium Co-Op also notes that Amanos are larger and can compete with smaller shrimp for food. Source: Aquarium Co-Op Amano care.

Read our Amano care guide, then view Amano shrimp.

I want a specialist shrimp or already keep other animals

Start with species identification and a compatibility check. A broad group label does not confirm that two animals share suitable conditions. Do not choose a specialist shrimp solely because it appears beside familiar varieties in a collection.

For a community aquarium, list the existing animals, tank size, hiding cover, and measured water conditions before deciding. Ask us about the exact combination if you are unsure.

Your pre-order checklist

• The exact shrimp's requirements match the aquarium's measured conditions.
• Biological filtration is established and water quality is stable.
• You can prepare consistent replacement water.
• Tankmates and filtration have been considered, including protection for small shrimp.
• You have reviewed the shipping information and live-arrival policy.

Choose the shrimp whose care you can sustain, then choose the color or pattern you enjoy.