Cherry Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi) – Complete Care Guide
Cherry shrimp (Neocaridina davidi) are among the most popular freshwater dwarf shrimp, loved for their bright colors, easy care, and algae-cleaning abilities. They’re perfect for beginners and experienced aquarists alike.
🔴 Cherry Shrimp Overview
✔ Scientific Name: Neocaridina davidi
✔ Size: 1–1.5 inches (2.5–4 cm)
✔ Lifespan: 1–2 years (longer in optimal conditions)
✔ Temperament: Peaceful, active scavengers
✔ Origin: Selectively bred from wild-type shrimp (originally from Taiwan)
🌈 Color Varieties
Cherry shrimp come in many color morphs, all bred from the same species:
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Red Cherry Shrimp (most common)
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Blue Dream Shrimp (deep blue)
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Yellow Golden Shrimp (bright lemon-yellow)
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Black Rose Shrimp (dark black)
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Green Jade Shrimp (emerald green)
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Orange Sunkist Shrimp (vibrant orange)
- Glass || Ghost Shrimp (Transparent Shrimp)
The care for all colors is the same—only their appearance differs!
🏡 Tank Setup & Water Conditions
✅ Minimum Tank Size: 5 gallons (10+ gallons recommended for stable breeding)
✅ Water Parameters:
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Temperature: 65–78°F (18–26°C) (cooler = longer lifespan, warmer = faster breeding)
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pH: 6.5–8.0 (neutral to slightly alkaline)
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GH (General Hardness): 6–8 dGH (needed for proper molting!)
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KH (Carbonate Hardness): 2–5 dKH
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Ammonia/Nitrites: 0 ppm (very sensitive!)
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Nitrates: <20 ppm
✅ Filtration: Sponge filter (safe for baby shrimp)
✅ Substrate: Sand or fine gravel (dark substrate enhances color)
✅ Plants & Decor:
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Java moss, Marimo balls, Anubias (hiding spots & biofilm food)
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Cholla wood, Indian almond leaves (natural grazing surfaces)
🍽️ Diet & Feeding
Cherry shrimp are omnivorous scavengers—they eat:
✔ Main Diet:
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Biofilm & algae (their natural food source)
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Shrimp pellets/wafer (high in calcium for molting)
✔ Supplemental Foods: -
Blanched veggies (spinach, zucchini, cucumber)
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Bacter AE (boosts biofilm growth)
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Frozen/live foods (baby brine shrimp, daphnia)
🚫 Avoid overfeeding! (Feed tiny amounts 2–3x a week)
🦐 Tank Mates (Safe & Unsafe)
✅ Safe Companions:
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Other dwarf shrimp (Neocaridina & Caridina species)
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Small peaceful fish (Otocinclus, Ember Tetras, Endlers)
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Snails (Nerite, Mystery, Ramshorn)
❌ Avoid:
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Aggressive fish (Bettas, Cichlids, Goldfish)
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Fin-nippers (Tiger Barbs, larger Tetras)
🔄 Breeding Cherry Shrimp
✔ Breeding Difficulty: Very Easy (they breed readily in stable tanks)
✔ Gestation Period: ~30 days (females carry 20–30 eggs under their tails)
✔ Fry Care:
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Baby shrimp are mini-adults (no larval stage)
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Feed powdered food, biofilm, or crushed algae wafers
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Use a sponge filter to prevent babies from being sucked in
🚀 Pro Tip: For best breeding, keep only one color variant per tank (they’ll interbreed and revert to wild brown).
⚠️ Common Health Issues
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Failed Molting (due to low calcium) → Add cuttlebone or mineral supplements
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Bacterial Infections (white/pink patches) → Quarantine & use shrimp-safe meds
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Planaria/Hydra (tiny white worms) → Treat with Fenbendazole (carefully dosed)
💡 Why Keep Cherry Shrimp?
✔ Perfect for nano tanks (5+ gallons)
✔ Excellent algae cleaners (low-maintenance cleanup crew)
✔ Breed easily (colony grows fast with good care)
✔ Peaceful & fun to watch (active scavengers)
🔥 Pro Tip: To enhance color, feed astaxanthin-rich foods (like krill or color-enhancing pellets).
🎯 Final Verdict
Cherry shrimp are one of the best beginner shrimp—hardy, colorful, and easy to breed. They thrive in planted tanks and make a great addition to any aquarium!
Want help setting up a shrimp tank? Ask me! 😊 🦐
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