Pumpkin Shrimp

The Pumpkin Shrimp is a selectively bred color morph of Neocaridina davidi, the exact same freshwater shrimp species as the common Red Cherry Shrimp. The orange to pumpkin-orange coloration was developed through generations of selective breeding from the same base species.

You can keep them together, but because they are the same species they will interbreed freely. Over time, the mixing of orange and red color genes tends to produce offspring with wild-type brownish or clear coloration, diluting the bright colors of both morphs.

Pumpkin Shrimp require the same care as other Neocaridina davidi morphs, preferring freshwater with a pH roughly between 6.5 and 8.0 and temperatures in the range of 65 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. They are generally hardy and beginner-friendly, making them one of the easier freshwater shrimp to keep.

The Pumpkin Shrimp's orange coloration was achieved through selective breeding by aquarium hobbyists working with naturally occurring color variations in Neocaridina davidi. Breeders isolated and intensified the orange pigment over multiple generations, similar to how Yellow Shrimp and Blue Velvet Shrimp were developed from the same species.