Water parameter basics for Caridina and Neocaridina

Shrimp keepers often see a wall of numbers early on: pH, GH, KH, TDS, nitrate, temperature. The key is to understand what each value influences and why stability usually matters more than chasing a tiny daily adjustment.

What the main values mean

• pH gives a rough idea of acidity or alkalinity.
• GH reflects calcium and magnesium available for moulting and physiology.
• KH affects buffering and pH stability.
• TDS is a broad reading of dissolved solids and is useful for consistency, not diagnosis by itself.
• Temperature affects metabolism, oxygen demand, and long-term stress.

Caridina and Neocaridina often overlap less than new keepers expect. It is usually better to build the system around one shrimp type rather than compromise both.