Variety of Neocaridina shrimp

Cherry shrimp

Neocaridina davidi

One of 11 varieties of Neocaridina davidi · See all varieties →

Also known as Cherry Red Shrimp

FreshwaterShrimp

Cherry shrimp (Neocaridina davidi) — FishManHari · CC0

Varieties · Neocaridina davidi

See all 11 →

Care at a glance

Temperature: 59–84°F; 15–29°C
pH: 6.5–8.0
Adult size: 1.6 in; 4 cm
Minimum tank: 5 gal; 19 L

Temperament: Peaceful
Social behavior: Social
Swim level: Bottom
Difficulty: Beginner
Breeding: Egg carrier · Easy
Rarity: Very common
Family: Atyidae
Origin: Taiwan

Overview

The cherry shrimp is a peaceful red dwarf shrimp for the bottom of a planted freshwater tank. It is a beginner shrimp.

Did you know

The cherry shrimp's color comes from selective breeding, since the wild type is a plain brownish shrimp. Breeders have pushed it into grades from pale pink up to deep solid red, and the redder lines usually cost more.

Caring for the cherry shrimp

Keep cherry shrimp in a group, the more the better, in 5 gal (19 L) or larger. A planted tank with moss, driftwood and some biofilm to pick at suits them. A mature, stable tank is best, since they live and graze along every surface.

They handle 59 to 84°F (15 to 29°C) and a pH of 6.5 to 8.0. They hate sudden swings, so go slow on water changes.

Cherry shrimp spend the day on the bottom, grazing on algae, biofilm and leftover food. A quality algae wafer, shrimp pellet or blanched vegetable a few times a week rounds out their diet. They molt as they grow and stay soft for a few hours afterward, and they eat the cast shells for their minerals.

Keep them with small, peaceful fish or other dwarf shrimp, or with no fish at all. Anything large will eat the young.

Females grow larger than males and carry 20 to 40 eggs under the tail for three to four weeks. The young hatch as tiny, fully formed shrimp, with no larval stage and no need for brackish water. Breeding is easy, and a colony grows on its own in an ordinary tank. Keep one color per tank, since crossed colors drift back toward the wild brown within a few generations.

Good to know

The cherry shrimp is Neocaridina davidi, a dwarf shrimp in the family Atyidae. Adults usually live one to two years.

In the wild

Cherry shrimp come from streams and ponds in Taiwan. There they graze over rocks, leaf litter and plants.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The cherry shrimp is a peaceful, social species that keeps to the bottom. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

Is a cherry shrimp a different species from the Neocaridina shrimp?

No. A cherry shrimp is a variety of the Neocaridina shrimp, Neocaridina davidi, and it wants the same tank, water and food as the species.

What size tank does a cherry shrimp need?

A cherry shrimp needs at least 5 gal (19 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What does a cherry shrimp eat?

A cherry shrimp grazes on algae, biofilm and leftover food. Round out its diet with a quality algae wafer, shrimp pellet or blanched vegetable a few times a week.

How big does a cherry shrimp get?

An adult cherry shrimp reaches about 1.6 in (4 cm).

How can you tell a male cherry shrimp from a female?

Female cherry shrimp grow larger than males. A female with eggs carries them under her tail.

How does a cherry shrimp breed?

A female cherry shrimp carries 20 to 40 eggs under her tail for three to four weeks. The young hatch as fully formed shrimp with no larval stage, so a colony grows on its own in an ordinary tank.