Golden Back Yellow Shrimp (Neocaridina Davidi)

The Yellow Golden Back Shrimp is a selectively bred color variant of the Neocaridina davidi species (often called Cherry Shrimp). It is a favorite among aquarists because it combines the hardy nature of its species with a vibrant, high-grade appearance .

 Species & Appearance

• Scientific Name: Neocaridina davidi 

• Common Names: Yellow Golden Back Shrimp, Golden Back Shrimp, Yellow Cherry Shrimp 

• Key Feature: The defining trait is a bright, solid golden or neon-yellow "racing stripe" running down its back, contrasting with its lighter yellow body. Lower lighting and a dark substrate can help them achieve the most vibrant colors .

• Adult Size: They typically grow to about 1 to 1.5 inches (2.5 - 4 cm) .

 Water Parameters

Stable water conditions are crucial for their health and breeding success. Below is a compiled list of recommended parameters, though many sources agree they are adaptable as long as changes are gradual .

 Tank Setup

• Tank Size: A minimum of 5 to 10 gallons is recommended. Larger tanks provide more stable water conditions, which is beneficial for a growing colony .

• Substrate: An inert substrate like fine sand or gravel is ideal. A dark substrate is often preferred as it makes their yellow coloration "pop" .

• Aquascaping: Provide plenty of live plants (Java Moss, Anubias), driftwood, and cholla wood. These create grazing surfaces for biofilm and offer essential hiding spots, especially for baby shrimp .

• Filtration: A sponge filter is the gold standard. It provides gentle flow and will not suck up baby shrimp .

 Diet & Feeding

Yellow Golden Back Shrimp are omnivorous scavengers. In a well-established, planted tank, they will spend most of their time grazing on biofilm and algae .

• Supplemental Food: If the tank is new or the colony is large, supplement with high-quality shrimp pellets, algae wafers, or blanched vegetables like spinach or zucchini .

• Feeding Tip: Be careful not to overfeed. Only offer small amounts once a day and remove any uneaten food to prevent water quality issues .

 Breeding & Social Behavior

• Breeding: They are prolific and easy to breed. Once a colony is established with both males and females, they will breed naturally. A female will carry fertilized eggs under her tail (becoming "berried") for about 30 days before they hatch into miniature versions of the adults .

• Tank Mates: They are peaceful and should only be kept with other non-aggressive species. Ideal tank mates include small fish like Ember Tetras, Otocinclus catfish, and Nerite snails . Avoid keeping them with large or predatory fish like cichlids.

A Note on Crossbreeding: If kept with other varieties of Neocaridina davidi (such as Red Cherry or Blue Dream shrimp), they will interbreed. The offspring will likely revert to a less desirable wild-type color (brown/clear). To maintain the pure yellow line, they are best kept in a species-only tank .