Orange Eye Yellow Goldenback Shrimp are a selectively bred Neocaridina line that combines three distinct colour elements on a single animal: a vivid yellow base body, a bright gold to yellow-gold dorsal stripe running along the back from head to tail, and contrasting orange eyes. The goldenback stripe is the differentiating characteristic from standard Yellow Neocaridina -- where Yellow shrimp carry a solid, even yellow body without patterning, the Goldenback line is selected to intensify a dorsal stripe that creates a clearly visible two-tone pattern within the yellow spectrum. The orange eyes add a warm contrasting point that makes each individual distinctly readable at the small scale of a nano tank. Beginner-friendly Neocaridina in all other respects: hardy, broad parameter tolerance, breeds freely in freshwater. Do not house with other Neocaridina colour variants to prevent colour reversion.
6.8-7.8pH
6-14GH
2-8KH
65-78FTemperature
What to Expect
Pattern, Colour and Behaviour
Vivid yellow body with a bright gold dorsal stripe -- two-tone pattern within the yellow spectrum -- the goldenback stripe is typically brighter and more saturated than the base body yellow -- a gold or deep yellow-gold that runs visibly along the spine from the head to the base of the tail. The intensity of the stripe varies between individuals and improves with selective breeding across generations; the best specimens carry a clearly defined, vivid stripe that reads as a distinct second colour against the body yellow rather than a subtle tonal variation.
Orange eyes -- a warm contrasting point on each individual -- the orange eyes provide a third colour element at the head of each animal that completes the visual interest of the pattern. At the scale of a dwarf shrimp the eyes are a clearly visible feature and the orange-on-yellow contrast at the head is immediately apparent when the shrimp is viewed from above or from the front.
Colour saturation improves with each generation in stable conditions -- like all selectively bred Neocaridina, the colour and stripe intensity of Orange Eye Yellow Goldenback shrimp improve progressively with each generation produced under stable, well-maintained parameters. Selecting the most vividly striped and most intensely coloured individuals as breeding stock across successive generations deepens the goldenback stripe and the body yellow simultaneously.
Dark substrate maximises all three colour elements -- the yellow body, gold stripe, and orange eyes all read most vividly against dark substrate. On pale or white substrate the yellow body blends with the background and the stripe contrast is less immediately apparent.
Hardy and beginner friendly -- same broad tolerance as all Neocaridina -- Orange Eye Yellow Goldenback carry no additional fragility from their enhanced colour selection. They tolerate the same broad parameter range as standard yellow Neocaridina and are fully appropriate for beginner keepers setting up a first shrimp tank.
How to Set It Up
Getting Started
1Dark substrate and stable parameters before introduction -- set up with dark substrate and run at pH 7.0-7.4, GH 6-8, KH 3-5, temperature 72-75F for at least one week before introducing shrimp. Test daily to confirm stability.
2Drip acclimate over 45-60 minutes -- float bag for 15 minutes, then drip tank water at one drop per second for 45-60 minutes before release.
3Dense moss and biofilm surfaces from the start -- Java Moss, Christmas Moss, or similar fine-structure plants provide biofilm foraging and shrimplet shelter. Establish moss growth before introducing shrimp.
4Feed varied diet and select most vivid offspring as future breeders -- a varied diet -- comprehensive staple food, occasional blanched vegetables, biofilm -- supports colour development. When the colony produces offspring, identify the most vividly striped individuals and ensure they contribute to the next generation.
Bonus TipOrange Eye Yellow Goldenback alongside Blue Velvet or Blue Dream Neocaridina -- housed separately to prevent cross-breeding -- creates the most vivid warm-cool Neocaridina display pairing available in the yellow line. The three-element warm-toned pattern of the Goldenback against the solid cool blue of Blue Velvet on dark substrate reads as a complete complementary colour composition across the tank floor.
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Browse more Neocaridina shrimpPair with Blue Velvet, Green Jade, or other Neocaridina for a display colony. Browse our Neocaridina Shrimp collection.
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