Red Cherry Shrimp

Neocaridina davidi var. Red

Temperament

Peaceful and non-aggressive. Red Cherry Shrimp spend their days grazing and will not bother fish or other invertebrates. They make excellent community tank residents as long as tankmates are similarly gentle.

Adult Size

Females reach up to 1.5 in (3.8 cm); males stay slightly smaller at around 1 in (2.5 cm). Females are also the more intensely colored of the two.

Compatible Tankmates

• Small, peaceful fish — ember tetras, chili rasboras, otocinclus, pygmy corydoras
• Snails — nerite, mystery, Chopstick
• Other Neocaridina shrimp of similar grade
• Avoid: cichlids, bettas (individual personalities vary), large gouramis, or any fish with a mouth large enough to swallow a shrimp

Planted-Tank Role

A natural clean-up crew. Cherry shrimp continuously graze algae, biofilm, and decaying plant matter from leaves, substrate, and hardscape — reducing maintenance and contributing to a balanced ecosystem. Dense planting (java moss, hornwort, java fern) gives juveniles essential cover and accelerates colony growth.

Feeding

Primarily grazers; supplemental feeding 2–3× per week is sufficient. Offer:

• Shrimp-specific pellets or wafers (blanched zucchini, spinach, or cucumber work great too)
• Biofilm and algae already present in a mature tank
• Remove uneaten food within 24 hours to protect water quality

Water Parameters

• Temperature: 65–80 °F (18–27 °C) — optimal 72–76 °F
• pH: 6.5–8.0 — optimal 7.0–7.5
• GH: 6–8 dGH  |  KH: 2–8 dKH
• TDS: 150–250 ppm
• Sensitive to ammonia and nitrite — cycle your tank fully before adding shrimp

Stocking Guidance

• Start with a group of 10–15 to establish a breeding colony
• A 5-gallon tank supports a starter colony; 10+ gallons allows a thriving, self-sustaining population
• Shrimp reproduce readily in well-maintained tanks — expect a visible population increase within 6–8 weeks
• Density of 5–10 shrimp per gallon is typical in species-only setups; reduce this in community tanks

In-Store Pickup

All live animals are available for in-store pickup only. Select Pickup at checkout and your shrimp will be held in our holding system until you're ready to collect. We acclimate and bag your order fresh — no shipping stress, no DOA risk.