Cherry Shrimp Care Guide
The perfect beginner invertebrate. Red Cherry Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi) are hardy, colorful, and breed readily in home aquariums. They're also excellent algae cleaners for planted tanks.
Why Keep Cherry Shrimp?
Water Parameters
| Parameter | Acceptable Range | Ideal |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 65-78°F (18-26°C) | 70-74°F (21-23°C) |
| pH | 6.5-8.0 | 7.0-7.5 |
| GH | 6-12 dGH | 7-10 dGH |
| KH | 2-8 dKH | 3-6 dKH |
| TDS | 150-350 ppm | 180-250 ppm |
| Ammonia/Nitrite | 0 ppm | Always 0 |
| Nitrate | <20 ppm | <10 ppm |
Tank Setup
Substrate
Dark substrates make shrimp colors pop. Inert substrates (black sand, gravel) are ideal as active substrates can make water too soft over time.
Plants & Hiding Spots
Cherry shrimp thrive in planted tanks. Plants provide biofilm, hiding spots for molting, and shelter for shrimplets. Moss is particularly important.
Filtration
Use a sponge filter or cover intake with a pre-filter sponge. Shrimplets can be sucked into unprotected intakes. Sponge filters also provide grazing surface.
Cherry Shrimp Grades
Cherry shrimp are graded by color intensity. Higher grades command higher prices but all grades have the same care requirements.
| Grade | Color | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Cherry | Translucent with red spots | $1-2 |
| Sakura | Solid red with some clear | $2-4 |
| Fire Red | Solid deep red | $3-5 |
| Painted Fire Red | Intense opaque red | $5-10 |
| Bloody Mary | Red including legs | $8-15 |
Tank Mates
Safe Tank Mates
Use Caution
Adults may survive but shrimplets will likely be eaten, limiting colony growth.
Avoid
These fish will actively hunt and eat cherry shrimp.
Breeding Cherry Shrimp
Cherry shrimp breed readily when conditions are right. You don't need to do anything special - they'll breed on their own if the tank is established and stable.
- Keep water parameters stable - fluctuations can cause egg dropping
- Provide mineral supplements (cuttlebone, mineral rock) for shell health
- Lots of moss and hiding spots for shrimplets
- Don't remove molting shrimp - they eat their old shell for calcium
- A colony of 10+ ensures good genetic diversity
Track Your Shrimp Colony
Log water parameters, track your colony growth, and get reminders for water changes and maintenance.
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