Orange Sunkist Neocaridina

Orange Sunkist Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi var. ‘Orange Sunkist’ or Orange Sunkist Sakura) are a bright, selectively bred freshwater aquarium shrimp variety renowned for their vivid, sun-kissed orange coloration that ranges from bright tangerine to deep, glowing pumpkin-orange. Often called Orange Pumpkin or simply Sunkist Orange, these shrimp deliver a warm, energetic pop of color that contrasts stunningly with green plants, moss, and dark substrates—making them a favorite for adding vibrancy without the intensity of reds or blues.

Key Features & Appearance

• Coloration: Bright, translucent-to-semi-opaque orange with a “sun-kissed” glow; high-grade lines (like SS grade) show more solid, intense hues with subtle mottling or depth for extra flair.
• Size: Adults grow to about 1–1.5 inches (2.5–3.8 cm); juveniles color up quickly.
• Behavior: Peaceful, active foragers that scavenge algae, biofilm, detritus, and leftovers—superb natural cleaners. They do best in groups (10+ for colony vibe) and breed prolifically like their cherry shrimp cousins.
• Lifespan: 1–2 years (up to 3 in ideal setups) with stable care.

These hardy Neocaridina are beginner-friendly, adaptable, and low-maintenance, thriving in a wide range of conditions while rewarding good setups with bold color and steady population growth.

Care Requirements

• Tank Size: 5+ gallons minimum; 10–20+ gal ideal for thriving colonies.
• Water Parameters:
  • Temperature: 18–28°C (64–82°F); optimal 21–26°C (70–78°F).
  • pH: 6.5–8.0 (very adaptable to most dechlorinated tap water).
  • GH: 6–12+ (harder water, GH 8+, enhances color vibrancy and molting).
  • KH: 2–8; TDS: 150–300 ppm.
• Setup Tips: Planted tanks with moss (Java/Christmas), botanicals (Indian almond leaves, cholla), driftwood, and dark substrate make the orange really pop and provide biofilm/grazing spots. Sponge filters are best to safeguard shrimplets; avoid copper meds, ammonia/nitrite spikes, or aggressive filtration.
• Diet: Omnivorous scavengers; supplement with shrimp pellets, blanched veggies (zucchini, spinach), or algae wafers as needed—they clean up efficiently.
• Compatibility: Excellent in peaceful communities with small fish (tetras, rasboras, endlers), snails, or shrimp-only tanks. Avoid large or nippy species; note that mixing Neocaridina colors can lead to cross-breeding and muted offspring.

Breeding is effortless: Females show yellow/orange saddles, carrying 20–50 eggs that hatch into shrimplets after 3–4 weeks. Cover and stability boost survival rates.

At Valley Aquatics, Orange Sunkist Shrimp are a go-to for customers wanting that sunny, warm orange glow with easy care—perfect for pairing with your botanicals in Abbotsford planted tanks!