A New Chapter for Teacher’s Pet: Focusing on High-Quality Caridina Shrimp
Teacher’s Pet has always been a passion project rooted in quality shrimp breeding and responsible livestock care here in the Pacific Northwest.
What began as a fun side business selling freshwater shrimp in the Portland Metro area has grown into a thriving community of hobbyists from East to West Coast who care deeply about healthy, high-grade shrimp and honest service. Over the years, I have had the privilege of shipping Neocaridina and Caridina shrimp across the region and connecting with local hobbyists here in the Portland area.
At the same time, my primary career in education continues to grow. As I take on more responsibility in teaching and instructional leadership, I need to be more intentional about where I invest my time. Rather than trying to scale everything, I’ve decided to narrow my focus so that quality remains the priority.
A Renewed Focus on Caridina Shrimp Breeding
Caridina shrimp have always been my primary interest.
The genetics, selective breeding, sourcing high-grade lines, and refining color and pattern quality are what drew me into the hobby in the first place. Moving forward, Teacher’s Pet will be focusing primarily on breeding and sourcing high-quality Caridina shrimp, with an emphasis on continually improving grade, health, and consistency.
I will also continue working with a few select oddball Neocaridina projects, including Orange Eye Neocaridina, which remain a personal favorite.
By narrowing my scope, I can devote more time to selective breeding, careful culling, and maintaining the kind of shrimp quality that serious hobbyists expect.
Neocaridina Shrimp Transition to The Ray Aquariums
All standard Neocaridina shrimp lines are transitioning to Jessie at The Ray Aquariums.
This is not a sudden change. Jessie has been working with me for the past year, learning the ropes of shrimp keeping, helping with packing and shipping orders, and understanding the quality control standards behind Teacher’s Pet. He has been keeping fish and shrimp for many, many years and brings a deep level of experience to the hobby.
This transition allows Neocaridina shrimp for sale to remain available with the same standards of care and service you are used to.
What Does This Mean for You? (FAQ)
Can I still order Neocaridina from Teacher’s Pet?
Yes. For now, you can order Neocaridina shrimp through the Teacher’s Pet website, and those orders will be fulfilled through The Ray Aquariums. You may also order directly from The Ray Aquariums. The experience will be the same.
Is anything changing about shipping or packaging?
No. It is the same careful packaging, the same DOA policy, and the same attention to shrimp health and safe transit.
Can I combine an order from both websites?
Yes. If you would like to order Caridina from Teacher’s Pet and Neocaridina from The Ray Aquariums and combine them into one shipment or pickup, just email me at teacherspetnw@gmail.com and we will coordinate it.
Where is local pickup?
- Neocaridina pickup is now in Milwaukie, OR 97222.
- Caridina pickup remains in NE Portland.
If you are searching for local shrimp for sale in Portland or Milwaukie, both options remain available.
Why This Change Strengthens Quality
This shift allows me to focus on what I am most passionate about: producing and sourcing exceptional Caridina shrimp.
Selective breeding takes time. Improving grades takes patience. Maintaining strong, healthy lines requires attention. By narrowing the operation instead of stretching it, I can continue to push quality forward instead of simply maintaining volume.
At the same time, Neocaridina shrimp remain available through someone who has been intentionally trained within the same system and who shares the same long-term standards.
Teacher’s Pet is not closing. It is refining.
Thank you for being part of this community and for supporting a small, quality-focused shrimp breeder. I am excited about this next chapter and the opportunity to continue offering premium Caridina shrimp while keeping Neocaridina in trusted hands.
If you have questions about shrimp breeding, local pickup, or current shrimp for sale, feel free to reach out at teacherspetnw@gmail.com.
—
Teacher’s Pet 🦐
