Bringing home new freshwater shrimp is exciting, but the first few hours after they arrive are the most important. Shrimp are extremely sensitive to sudden changes in temperature, pH, hardness (GH/KH), and Total Dissolved Solids (TDS). Taking the time to acclimate them properly greatly reduces stress and helps them settle into their new environment.

At Shrimp Up Aquatics, every shrimp is carefully inspected and packed before shipment. This guide will walk you through the acclimation process that we recommend for all freshwater shrimp.

Before Your Shrimp Arrive

Before opening your shipment, make sure your aquarium is ready.

Your tank should be:

• Fully cycled
• Free of ammonia and nitrite (0 ppm)
• Stable in temperature
• Appropriate for the shrimp species you purchased

We also recommend gathering a clean container, airline tubing, and a valve or knot for controlling the drip rate before beginning.

Step 1: Inspect Your Shipment

As soon as your package is delivered, bring it indoors and open it immediately.

Carefully inspect each bag while it is still sealed.

If you believe there is an issue covered under our Live Arrival Guarantee, please contact us before opening the bags or introducing the shrimp into your aquarium.

Step 2: Temperature Acclimation

Float the unopened bags in your aquarium for 45–60 minutes.

This allows the water temperature inside the shipping bag to slowly match your aquarium and helps reduce stress caused by sudden temperature changes.

Avoid placing the bags in direct sunlight or allowing them to overheat.

Step 3: Drip Acclimation

After temperature acclimation:

1. Carefully pour the contents of the bag into a clean container.
2. Start a siphon from your aquarium using airline tubing.
3. Adjust the drip rate to approximately 1–2 drops per second.
4. Continue dripping for 2–3 hours.
5. The water volume should increase to approximately four times its original amount.
6. Gently net the shrimp and place them into your aquarium.
7. Dispose of the shipping water. Never pour shipping water into your tank.

A slow drip acclimation allows shrimp to gradually adjust to differences in pH, GH, KH, and TDS, which are often much more stressful than changes in temperature.

Step 4: After Introducing Your Shrimp

Your shrimp have just experienced shipping and acclimation, so it's perfectly normal if they hide for several days.

For the best results:

• Leave the aquarium lights off for the rest of the day.
• Do not feed for the first 24 hours.
• Avoid large water changes during the first week.
• Avoid adding medications or water additives unless absolutely necessary.
• Don't be alarmed if you notice molting within the first few days—it is a common response to shipping stress.

Recommended Water Parameters

For most Neocaridina shrimp:

• Temperature: 68–74°F
• pH: 6.8–7.8
• Ammonia: 0 ppm
• Nitrite: 0 ppm
• Nitrate: Under 20 ppm

Stable water conditions are far more important than chasing an exact pH number.

Understanding Our Live Arrival Guarantee

Shrimp Up Aquatics proudly guarantees that your shrimp will arrive alive when the shipment is received on the first delivery attempt and any qualifying issue is reported according to our Live Arrival Guarantee policy.

Once acclimation begins or the shrimp are introduced into an aquarium, they enter an environment that is entirely outside of our observation and control. Their ongoing health is influenced by numerous variables that differ from aquarium to aquarium, including:

• Water chemistry
• Temperature
• TDS, GH, and KH
• Acclimation methods
• Aquarium maturity
• Existing livestock
• Maintenance practices
• Medications and water treatments

Because these conditions cannot be verified or controlled after delivery, our guarantee is limited to live arrival only.

Beginning the acclimation process or introducing shrimp into an aquarium confirms that the shrimp arrived alive and transfers responsibility for their ongoing care and husbandry to the purchaser.

This policy allows us to stand behind the quality of the livestock we ship while recognizing that every aquarium is unique.

We're Here to Help

If you have any questions before beginning acclimation, please don't hesitate to contact Shrimp Up Aquatics.

Our goal is for every shrimp to thrive in its new home, and we're always happy to help you achieve success.

Happy Shrimp Keeping!