ShrimpbeginnerFreshwater

Red Cherry Shrimp

Neocaridina davidi

Animalia›Arthropoda›Malacostraca›Atyidae

📍 Taiwan

Red cherry shrimp are the most popular dwarf shrimp in the hobby, bred in a variety of red intensity grades from pale pink to deep 'painted fire red'. They are tireless algae and biofilm grazers that thrive in established planted tanks. A mature tank with mosses and fine-leaf plants provides ideal conditions for breeding.

Size1.2"

Min Tank5g

School6+

peaceful

Zoneall

Care Guide

Diet

Red cherry shrimp are omnivorous grazers that primarily consume biofilm, algae, and decaying plant matter in established tanks. Supplement their natural grazing with high-quality shrimp pellets (2-3 times weekly) and blanched vegetables like zucchini, spinach, or cucumber. Avoid overfeeding pellets, as uneaten food degrades water quality quickly.

Behavior

Red cherry shrimp are peaceful, active foragers that spend most of their time grazing on surfaces and plants throughout the tank. They are social animals that thrive in groups of 6 or more, displaying natural hierarchies and breeding behaviors in stable conditions. They are sensitive to sudden water changes and predation, so they benefit from dense plant cover for security.

Breeding

Red cherry shrimp breed readily in mature, established tanks with stable water parameters and abundant plant cover—no special conditioning required. Females produce 20-30 shrimplets every 4-5 weeks under good conditions, making them prolific breeders. Survival rates are high in planted tanks with minimal predation, making them excellent for beginners interested in shrimp reproduction.

Tank Mates

Amano Shrimp

Similar water requirements and peaceful temperament; excellent algae control partners

excellent

Ghost Shrimp

Compatible water parameters; may occasionally prey on shrimplets if not provided adequate cover

good

Otocinclus

Peaceful algae eater with identical water requirements; excellent planted tank companion

excellent

Ember Tetra

Small, peaceful fish that won't prey on adult shrimp; requires similar warm water temperatures

good

Dwarf Gourami

Generally peaceful but may occasionally nip at shrimp; provide dense plants for shrimp refuge

caution

Nerite Snail

Peaceful algae eater with compatible water needs; excellent cleanup crew partner

excellent

Common Diseases

Bacterial Infection

Symptoms

Discoloration, lesions on body, lethargy, loss of appetite, cloudy appearance

Treatment

Perform 25% water changes daily, maintain pristine water quality, isolate affected individuals if possible; antibiotics rarely necessary if water conditions improve

Molting Problems

Symptoms

Inability to shed exoskeleton, stuck between old and new shell, death shortly after molting attempt

Treatment

Ensure adequate calcium and minerals through quality diet and water parameters (6-20 dGH); avoid sudden pH or temperature fluctuations that stress molting

Parasitic Infection

Symptoms

Excessive scratching on surfaces, white spots or film on body, lethargy, reduced feeding

Treatment

Increase water change frequency to 30-50%, maintain optimal water parameters, quarantine new additions; salt baths are not recommended for freshwater shrimp

Sudden Death Syndrome

Symptoms

Rapid death with no visible symptoms, often after water changes or introduction to new tank

Treatment

Acclimate shrimp slowly (2-3 hours drip method), maintain stable parameters, avoid copper-based treatments and medications; ensure water is free of chlorine/chloramine