With a tantalizing shade of green, the Melachite Green makes for a fascinating addition to any aquarium. Originating from South East Asia, a genus of dwarf freshwater shrimp, Neocaridinas are hardy and comparatively easy to keep. They have very small bodies and usually add little to the bioload of an aquarium, especially when kept with other tankmates and not target fed. However, when kept in species tanks, they have more impact as they need to be target fed rather than take leftovers.

Still adaptable to very small tanks that are well-planted and with adequate filtration, any dwarf shrimp needs high water quality. Even a small trace of ammonia is fatal and these creatures are also intolerant of nitrite. As such they should only be stocked in well-established aquariums with fully ‘cycled’ filtration.

Fish companionship can be tricky and recommended are those that are too small to make a meal of the neocaridina. Plant or algae eaters are primarily good as tankmates, however, only few fish are a hundred percent vegetarian and most will take a meaty morsel if presented.