Fire Red Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi
Animalia›Arthropoda›Malacostraca›Decapoda›Atyidae
📍 China (Yunnan Province)
Fire Red Shrimp are a vibrant red color morph of Neocaridina davidi, prized for their striking appearance and ease of care. These peaceful invertebrates are excellent for planted tanks and community setups, thriving in stable freshwater conditions. They are prolific breeders that produce fully-formed shrimplets, making them ideal for beginners and experienced aquarists alike.
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Tanks keeping this 🐟
Kept by 1 hobbyistCommunity tanks featuring Fire Red Shrimp.
Care Guide
Diet
Fire Red Shrimp are detritivores that primarily feed on biofilm, algae, and decaying plant matter in established tanks. Supplement with high-quality shrimp pellets, algae wafers, and blanched vegetables (zucchini, spinach, carrot) 2-3 times weekly. A mature, well-planted tank with established biofilm is essential for their long-term health and coloration.
Behavior
These shrimp are active foragers that spend most of their time on the substrate and plants searching for food. They are social and thrive in groups, displaying minimal aggression toward each other. Molting occurs regularly as they grow; provide plenty of hiding spots and calcium-rich foods to support healthy shell development.
Breeding
Fire Red Shrimp breed readily in freshwater without special conditions, making them excellent for beginners interested in breeding. Females produce 20-30 shrimplets every 4-6 weeks, and the young are fully-formed miniatures that require no special care beyond the main tank environment. High population growth can occur quickly in stable, well-fed colonies.
Tank Mates
Same peaceful temperament; compatible colony mates
Non-aggressive; can cohabitate without issue
Small, peaceful fish that ignore shrimp
Tiny, non-predatory; safe with shrimp colonies
Peaceful algae eater; shares same ecological niche without conflict
Generally peaceful but may occasionally nip at shrimp; monitor behavior
Common Diseases
Molting Issues / Failed Molt
Shrimp stuck in old exoskeleton, inability to shed, lethargy, death within 24-48 hours
Ensure adequate calcium via cuttlebone, mineral supplements, or shrimp-specific foods; maintain stable water parameters; provide hiding spots to reduce stress during molt
Copper Toxicity
Lethargy, loss of color, erratic swimming, sudden death; often triggered by tap water or medications
Use copper-free water conditioner; avoid all copper-based medications and fertilizers; perform 25-30% water changes; use RO or distilled water if tap water is contaminated
Bacterial Infection / Fungus
White fuzzy growth on body or appendages, discoloration, lethargy, loss of appetite
Increase water changes to 25% every 2-3 days; maintain pristine water quality; remove dead shrimp immediately; avoid antibiotics (lethal to shrimp); ensure adequate biofilm and nutrition
Parasitic Flukes / Protozoan Infection
Excessive grooming, rubbing on surfaces, color loss, rapid gill movement, sudden death
Quarantine affected shrimp; perform frequent water changes; raise temperature slightly (within tolerance); avoid copper-based treatments; focus on water quality and stress reduction
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Quick Facts
- diet
- Omnivore/detritivore - biofilm, algae wafers, blanched vegetables, commercial shrimp pellets
- lifespan
- 1-3 years
- max size
- 3.8 cm (1.5 in)
- tank size
- 5 gallons minimum
- temperament
- peaceful
Water it likes
- ph
- 6.5-8.0
- ammonia
- 0 ppm
- nitrate
- <20 ppm
- hardness
- 4-8 dGH
- temperature
- 64–82°F (18–28°C)
Legality
No state or federal restrictions on record for this species.
Not legal advice, and possibly incomplete or out of date. Rules vary by state and locality and change over time — always confirm the current regulations with your state wildlife or agriculture agency before buying, keeping, or shipping this species.