Common Name: Cherry shrimp, Fire red cherry shrimp, Red cherry shrimp
Scientific Name: Neocaridina davidi
Genus: Neocaridina
Natural Habitat: Taiwan, China
Lifespan: 1-2 Years
Food Type: Herbivore
Recommended Minimum Aquarium Size: 5-10 gal
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Fire red cherry shrimp are members of the neocaridina shrimp family that have been bred specifically for their vibrant red color. Rigorous culling ensures that only the highest quality specimens make it through the breeding process and into your tank.
Each order is sent with both males and females to ensure you can continue growing your colony. For tips on how to breed your shrimp and to see how easy it is, check out this post on shrimp breeding and starting your colony.
Cherry Shrimp are perhaps the most prevalent aquarium shrimp species due to their hearty nature and striking appearance against virtually any background. They are a fantastic option for those new to owning shrimp due to their high tolerance to different water parameters and temperatures, widespread availability, and low cost.
The fire red cherry shrimp makes a stunning addition to any aquarium as their bright red coloration makes them pop against any background.
In addition to being a beautiful addition to your fish tank, cherry shrimp are some of the best cleaners in the marine kingdom. They feed off the algae (called biofilm) that grows on your plants and decorations, as well as other algae and decaying organic matter.
A well-kept troupe of cherry shrimp may be enough to keep your tank clean and clear with little outside help.
You can provide them additional nutrition through algae wafers or specially formulated shrimp food found here.
Care
Ideal Water Parameters:
Temperature: 65-80
Ideal Ph: 7.2-7.6
Hardness: Hard
GH: 8
KH: 8
TDS: 250-300
Like most Neocaridina shrimp, fire red cherry shrimp are hearty creatures that don't require much when it comes to tank maintenance or water parameters. This means getting your water directly from the tap is completely safe.
Additionally, cherry shrimp are adaptable to temperatures between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, which means that they do not require a water heater.
For best results, keep your fire red neocaridina shrimp in a low-flow, well-cycled tank with appropriately aged water and plenty of algae to feed on
Food
Algae, vegetable-based wafers, biofilm, diatoms, spirinula powder, decaying plants, bee pollen, blanched vegetables, baby shrimp food (For juvenile shrimp)
Appearance
Fire red cherry shrimp are bred for their vibrant red colors. Male shrimp are typically bright red and tend to be smaller than females. Female cherry shrimp have wider and larger tails as well as a saddle-like formation on their back. This saddle contains unfertilized eggs and will grow as the eggs become more mature.
Breeding
Red cherry shrimp are prominent breeders, given correct water parameters and adequate feeding. We recommend that you buy at least 10 shrimp if you are intending on breeding to ensure an adequate male to female ratio. This will also increase the size of the gene pool within your colony, reducing risk of inbreeding.
When ready to breed, the female cherry shrimp will molt and release pheromones to alert the male shrimp.
The gestation period for the eggs is two weeks, after which the shrimp will hatch as minuscule shrimplets. Please ensure that any filtration system you are using in your tank is not going to suck up the shrimplets. I recommend using an air-driven sponge filter as they are generally cheap and available at any fish store.
Baby shrimp will feed on the same diet of algae and detritus as their parents. You may choose to supplement this with baby shrimp food.
New shrimp will molt often. Leave their shells in the aquarium as it is a good source of calcium for the growing shrimp.