How to acclimate shrimp (drip method, step by step)

Published October 16, 2026 · Updated October 16, 2026 · 5 min read

A bright red cherry shrimp resting on fine, feathery green aquarium plants — Photo: © Nicklas Iversen / http://akvaportalen.no, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)

Quick answer

Float the closed bag for about 15 minutes so the temperature evens out. Then pour the shrimp and their water into a clean container and let tank water drip in through thin airline tubing, at about 1 to 2 drops per second. After about 1 to 2 hours, when the container holds about four times the water they came in, net the shrimp into the tank. Throw the old water away.

Why shrimp need slow acclimation

Acclimation means getting new shrimp used to your water. The water they arrive in can be very different from yours. The temperature may differ, and so can the pH (how acidic the water is), GH (calcium and magnesium), KH (the buffer that keeps pH steady) and TDS (everything dissolved in the water). Our water parameters guide explains each one.

If these values change too fast, shrimp can go into shock. Rushed acclimation is one of the common reasons new shrimp die in their first days.

Drip acclimation solves this. Your tank water drips slowly into a container with the shrimp, so their water changes a little at a time.

What you need

A clean bucket or large container that has never had soap or cleaning products in it.
A length of airline tubing, the thin, soft tube used with air pumps.
An airline valve to control the flow. A loose knot in the tubing also works.
A small fish net.
A cycled tank with conditioned water, ready for the shrimp.

Step by step

Dim the lights. Turn off the tank light and dim the room. Shrimp stay calmer in low light.
Float the bag. Float the closed bag in your tank for about 15 minutes, so the water inside reaches the same temperature. If your shrimp came in a breathable bag, don't float it, because floating blocks the air exchange. Let it rest next to the tank instead.
Move the shrimp to the container. Open the bag and gently pour the shrimp and all their water into the container. Make sure they stay covered. Put the container lower than the tank.
Start the drip. Put one end of the tubing in the tank. Suck gently on the other end until water starts to flow, then put that end in the container.
Set the speed. Use the valve or the knot to slow the flow to about 1 to 2 drops per second. To check, count the drops for 10 seconds and divide by 10.
Wait. Let it drip until the container holds about four times the water the shrimp came in. Then about three quarters of the water is your tank water. This usually takes 1 to 2 hours. If the container gets too full, carefully pour some water off, watching for shrimp, and keep dripping.
Net the shrimp into the tank. Catch them gently and put them in the tank. Don't pour the container water into your tank. Throw it away, because it can carry waste and pests.
Keep it calm. Leave the tank light off for the rest of the day, and don't feed the new shrimp until the next day.

How long to drip

The more your water differs from the water the shrimp came in, the slower and longer you should drip. If you have a TDS meter, measure both. A big difference means you should take your time.

Situation	Drip speed	Typical time
Your water is similar to the seller's	1–2 drops per second	About 1 hour
Your water is very different	About 1 drop per second	2 hours or more

Guides give slightly different numbers. Most say 1 to 2 drops per second for about 1 to 2 hours. The Shrimp Farm, a shrimp seller, uses 2 to 3 drops per second for about 1.5 to 2.5 hours. When in doubt, go slower. A drip that takes a little longer is far safer than one that is too fast.

Watch the shrimp while you wait. If they dart around wildly, slow the drip down.

The first days

New shrimp often hide for two or three days. That is normal. Don't move plants or decorations to look for them.

From the second day, feed a small amount and remove what they don't eat within a few hours. Our feeding guide explains how much to give.

Keep an eye on them in the first week. Shipping is stressful, and the water at the seller also plays a part, so new shrimp are more fragile than usual. If several die, test ammonia and nitrite, and read our guide to why shrimp die.

FAQ

How do I acclimate shrimp that came in the mail?

The same way: dim the lights, let the bag reach tank temperature and drip acclimate slowly. Do not float a breathable bag, because floating blocks its air exchange. Let it rest next to the tank instead.

Is it normal to lose shrimp in the first few days?

A single loss can happen, because shipping and the seller's water both affect how well new shrimp settle in. Several deaths in a row are not normal. Test ammonia and nitrite, check the temperature and look at what changed.

Can I just float the bag and release the shrimp?

Floating only evens out the temperature. It does nothing about differences in pH, GH, KH and TDS, which can shock shrimp. A slow drip over about 1 to 2 hours is much safer.

Should I feed new shrimp right away?

No, wait until the next day. New shrimp often hide and may not eat for a day or two, and uneaten food only dirties the water.