Calico Sunkist Neocaridina Shrimp

Calico Sunkist Neocaridina Shrimp Calico Sunkist Neocaridina Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi) is a striking multi-colored variant of the Sunkist line — a Neocaridina developed for warm orange pigmentation. Where the standard Sunkist displays a solid or near-solid orange body, the Calico Sunkist shows an irregular patchwork of orange, white, and sometimes yellow across the body — a mottled or marbled effect that makes each individual shrimp visually unique. The "calico" descriptor refers to this irregular, multi-toned patterning, borrowed from the same term used in calico cats and calico platies. The Sunkist line gets its name from the vivid orange color reminiscent of the citrus brand — a warm, saturated orange quite distinct from the cooler or redder tones of Cherry or Fire Red Neocaridina. The Calico Sunkist carries this warm orange base color but with the added visual interest of irregular white patterning that breaks up the solid orange in unpredictable ways. No two Calico Sunkist shrimp look exactly alike. All Neocaridina davidi color varieties are color-selected lines of a single species native to Taiwan. Decades of selective breeding by Taiwanese hobbyists have produced an extraordinary range of colors — when you keep a Neocaridina shrimp, you are keeping one of the most extensively domesticated freshwater invertebrates in the world. A note on mixing colors: Neocaridina color varieties will interbreed freely. Subsequent generations of crosses revert toward the ancestral wild-type — a muddy brown-olive. Keep each color variety in its own aquarium to maintain color quality. ⚠ Copper Warning: Copper is fatal to all shrimp — even trace amounts. Never use copper-based medications in any aquarium housing shrimp. ⚠ Water Changes: Keep water changes to 10% maximum at a time. Always match temperature precisely. Sudden parameter changes are a leading cause of shrimp losses. ⚠ Acclimation: Drip acclimate for at least 60–90 minutes. Add one tablespoon of tank water to the bag every 5 minutes if drip equipment is unavailable. Feeding & Care Tip: GlasGarten Shrimp Dinner 2 is the recommended daily staple. GlasGarten Bacter AE builds essential biofilm. Rotate GlasGarten Shrimp Snacks and Shrimp Lollies 4 in 1 2–3× per week. GlasGarten Mineral Junkie Bites and Mineral Food support healthy molting. GlasGarten Shrimp Baby Food for juveniles. Calico Sunkist Neocaridina Shrimp Difficulty Beginner — Easy Temperament Peaceful — safe with small non-predatory fish Adult Size 1.0–1.5 inches (2.5–4 cm) — females larger Group Size 10 minimum — colonies of 20–30+ thrive and breed readily Ideal Temperature 70–78°F (21–26°C) Ideal pH 7.0–7.5 Ideal GH 8–12 dGH Ideal KH 2–6 dKH Ideal TDS 150–250 Staple Food GlasGarten Shrimp Dinner 2; GlasGarten Bacter AE Treat / Supplement GlasGarten Shrimp Snacks; GlasGarten Shrimp Lollies 4 in 1; GlasGarten Mineral Junkie Bites; GlasGarten Mineral Food; GlasGarten Shrimp Baby Food (for juveniles) Origin Taiwan (captive-bred color selection of Neocaridina davidi) Notes Copper: Fatal — never use copper medications in shrimp tanks Color Mixing: Do not mix Neocaridina color varieties — offspring revert to wild-type brown Pattern: Each individual is unique — irregular orange and white calico pattern Molting: Do not remove molted shells — shrimp consume them for minerals Breeding: Berried females carry eggs 3–4 weeks; shrimplets need Bacter AE and Baby Food