Wild Type Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi)  are a hardy, natural-color freshwater shrimp that are very popular in aquariums, especially if you're looking for something close to their original, non-selectively bred appearance.

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What “Wild Type” Means

• Wild type refers to the shrimp’s natural coloration (usually brown, olive, or translucent with speckling).
• These are the original form of Neocaridina davidi, before selective breeding created varieties like Cherry, Blue Dream, Yellow, etc.
• They often appear more camouflaged and less vibrant, but are typically very robust and adaptable.

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Key Benefits

• Hardy & beginner-friendly
• Usually cheaper than color morphs
• Genetically strong (less inbreeding than high-grade colors)
• Excellent algae and detritus cleaners
• Great for mixing into colonies to improve genetics

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Things to Know

• If you breed wild types:
  • Offspring stay mostly wild-colored
  • If mixed with colored shrimp, offspring often revert toward wild coloration
• They can be less visually striking, but very active and natural-looking

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Care Requirements

Parameter	Ideal Range
Temperature	20–26°C (68–79°F)
pH	6.5–7.8
GH	6–12
KH	2–8
Tank size	5+ gallons (bigger = more stable)

Tank Setup Tips:

• Lots of plants (moss is perfect)
• Gentle filtration (sponge filters ideal)
• Stable, cycled tank (very important)

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Diet

• Biofilm (main food source)
• Algae
• Shrimp pellets
• Blanched veggies (zucchini, spinach)
• Occasional protein treats

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 Breeding

• Very easy to breed:
  • Females carry eggs under abdomen (“berried”)
  • Hatch in ~3–4 weeks
• Babies are mini versions of adults (no larval stage)

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Who They’re Best For

• Beginners starting a shrimp tank
• Breeders wanting strong genetics
• Aquarists who prefer a natural biotope look
• Budget-friendly stocking

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