Blue Shrimp

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:

• Red Cherry Shrimp(most common)
• Blue Dream Shrimp(deep blue)
• Yellow Golden Shrimp(bright lemon-yellow)
• Black Rose Shrimp(dark black)
• Green Jade Shrimp(emerald green)
• Orange Sunkist Shrimp(vibrant orange)
• Glass Shrimp (Transparent Shrimp)
• Ghost 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:

• Temperature:65–78°F (18–26°C) (cooler = longer lifespan, warmer = faster breeding)
• pH:5–8.0 (neutral to slightly alkaline)
• GH (General Hardness):6–8 dGH (needed for proper molting!)
• KH (Carbonate Hardness):2–5 dKH
• Ammonia/Nitrites:0 ppm (very sensitive!)
• Nitrates:<20 ppm

✅ Filtration: Sponge filter (safe for baby shrimp)
✅ Substrate: Sand or fine gravel (dark substrate enhances color)
✅ Plants & Decor:

• Java moss, Marimo balls, Anubias(hiding spots & biofilm food)
• Cholla wood, Indian almond leaves(natural grazing surfaces)

🍽️ Diet & Feeding

Cherry shrimp are omnivorous scavengers—they eat:
✔ Main Diet:

• Biofilm & algae(their natural food source)
• Shrimp pellets/wafer(high in calcium for molting)
  ✔ Supplemental Foods:
• Blanched veggies (spinach, zucchini, cucumber)
• Bacter AE (boosts biofilm growth)
• Frozen/live foods (baby brine shrimp, daphnia)

🚫 Avoid overfeeding! (Feed tiny amounts 2–3x a week)

🦐 Tank Mates (Safe & Unsafe)

✅ Safe Companions:

• Other dwarf shrimp (Neocaridina & Caridina species)
• Small peaceful fish (Otocinclus, Ember Tetras, Endlers)
• Snails (Nerite, Mystery, Ramshorn)

❌ Avoid:

• Aggressive fish(Bettas, Cichlids, Goldfish)
• 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:

• Baby shrimp are mini-adults (no larval stage)
• Feed powdered food, biofilm, or crushed algae wafers
• Use a sponge filterto 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

• Failed Molting(due to low calcium) → Add cuttlebone or mineral supplements
• Bacterial Infections(white/pink patches) → Quarantine & use shrimp-safe meds
• 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! 😊 🦐