Chocolate Shrimp | The Sunken Garden’s Little Chocolatiers

Chocolate Shrimp | The Sunken Garden’s Little Chocolatiers

Rich as dark chocolate and every bit as irresistible, the Chocolate Shrimp brings a delicious touch of elegance to the Sunken Garden.

Dressed in shades of warm cocoa, deep mahogany, and nearly black velvet, these tiny freshwater creatures are living jewels among aquatic greenery. Their beautiful coloring is the result of selective breeding, creating a shrimp whose appearance can range from reddish-brown to the darkest bittersweet chocolate.

A variety of Neocaridina davidi, Chocolate Shrimp are peaceful, hardy, and delightfully industrious. They spend their days exploring moss-covered branches, investigating leaves, and grazing on the algae and biofilm that naturally develop in established aquariums.

Their small size and gentle temperament make them wonderful inhabitants of planted freshwater tanks, while their rich coloring creates a striking contrast against pale gravel, light-colored stones, and vibrant green plants.

And although they may look like tiny pieces of chocolate, these little confections are far too busy tending their underwater garden to sit prettily in a box.

Appearance & Characteristics

• Scientific Name: Neocaridina davidi
• Common Name: Chocolate Shrimp
• Coloration: Reddish-brown, mahogany, dark chocolate, or nearly black
• Adult Size: Approximately 1.2 inches (3 cm)
• Temperament: Peaceful, active, and nonaggressive
• Environment: Freshwater
• Experience Level: Beginner-friendly
• Diet: Omnivorous

Aquarium Care

Tank Size: A minimum of 5 gallons is recommended, although larger aquariums offer greater water stability and more space for a growing colony.

Water Conditions: Chocolate Shrimp are adaptable to a range of freshwater conditions, but consistency is essential. A stable temperature of approximately 65–80°F (18–27°C) is suitable, with adequate mineral content to support healthy molting. Avoid sudden changes in water chemistry.

Aquarium Environment: A mature, planted aquarium with aquatic mosses, driftwood, and plenty of sheltered spaces provides an excellent home. These surfaces encourage natural biofilm growth and offer protection during molting.

Diet: Chocolate Shrimp are enthusiastic little scavengers, grazing on soft algae, biofilm, and decaying organic matter. Supplement their natural diet with high-quality shrimp pellets, algae wafers, and occasional blanched vegetables such as zucchini or spinach.

Compatibility: Their peaceful nature makes them suitable companions for other gentle freshwater invertebrates and carefully selected small fish. Keep in mind that even peaceful fish may eat baby shrimp.

Breeding: Chocolate Shrimp reproduce readily in suitable freshwater aquariums. Females carry developing eggs beneath their abdomens, and the young hatch as miniature versions of the adults. Dense plants, mosses, and shrimp-safe filter intakes help improve survival rates.

Color & Grading: Their distinctive coloration is the result of selective breeding, and individual shrimp may vary in shade and opacity. Chocolate Shrimp kept with other Neocaridina davidi color varieties may interbreed, potentially producing offspring with less predictable coloring.

Special Considerations: Like other freshwater dwarf shrimp, Chocolate Shrimp are sensitive to copper-based aquarium treatments and sudden water parameter changes. Always introduce them gradually to a stable, fully cycled aquarium.

A Little Bit of Bittersweet Magic

There is something wonderfully charming about a colony of Chocolate Shrimp moving through an underwater garden.

One might be tucked beneath a leaf like a forgotten chocolate truffle, while another marches across a pale stone with all the determination of a creature convinced it has very important business to attend to.

Sweet in appearance, hardworking by nature, and utterly delightful to watch, these miniature chocolatiers bring a little richness to life beneath the water.

Live Arrival Policy

Chocolate Shrimp are living aquatic animals and require prompt attention upon delivery.

Please inspect your shipment immediately upon arrival. Any dead-on-arrival concerns must be reported to hello@thelovefern.com within 2 hours of confirmed delivery, accompanied by clear photographs of the affected livestock and packaging.