My Introduction to Cherry Shrimp Keeping
When I first decided to keep cherry shrimp, I was fascinated by their vibrant colors and active personalities. These tiny creatures, known scientifically as Neocaridina davidi, quickly became a central feature of my aquarium hobby. I started with a small group in a 10-gallon tank, carefully choosing each shrimp based on its rich, red coloration.
Watching them explore their new home was mesmerizing, and I soon realized that these little shrimp were more than just decorative—they were industrious and entertaining pets. The experience of keeping cherry shrimp has taught me the importance of patience and attention to detail in aquarium care, as these shrimp, though hardy, require specific conditions to thrive.
Setting Up the Perfect Cherry Shrimp Habitat
Creating an ideal environment for my cherry shrimp was a rewarding challenge. I chose a heavily planted tank, knowing that live plants would provide the shrimp with both food and shelter. I learned that cherry shrimp thrive in water with a pH between 6.5 and 8.0 and a temperature range of 57°F to 86°F (14°C to 30°C). Maintaining a consistent water hardness of 7 to 11 degrees GH was crucial, as it ensured that their exoskeletons developed properly.
I also added a sponge filter to avoid sucking the shrimp into the filtration system, which can be a risk with standard filters. Over time, I found that the shrimp were happiest in an environment with plenty of mosses and carpeting plants, which allowed them to forage and hide from potential threats.
Feeding Cherry Shrimp: A Balanced Diet
One of the most enjoyable aspects of keeping cherry shrimp was experimenting with their diet. I quickly discovered that these shrimp are not picky eaters—they’ll scavenge almost anything. While they naturally consume biofilm and detritus in the tank, I supplemented their diet with a variety of foods. Algae wafers, fish flakes, and even blanched vegetables like zucchini and broccoli became regular additions to their menu.
Actually, I also made sure to provide calcium-rich foods to support their molting process, as a lack of calcium can lead to difficulties in shedding their exoskeletons. Watching them swarm around a slice of zucchini was always a delightful sight, and it was clear that a varied diet kept them healthy and active.
Breeding Success: Growing My Cherry Shrimp Colony
Breeding cherry shrimp turned out to be easier than I expected, and it became one of the highlights of my aquarium journey. With the right water conditions and a stable environment, my shrimp began breeding regularly. The first time I spotted a female carrying eggs under her abdomen, I was thrilled. These tiny, yellow-green eggs were a clear sign that my shrimp were happy and healthy.
As the eggs hatched, I watched the tiny shrimplets hide among the moss and plants, gradually growing in size and developing their characteristic red coloration. Over time, my colony expanded rapidly, and I found myself with more shrimp than I could count. This breeding success was a testament to the importance of maintaining a well-balanced tank environment.
Challenges and Lessons Learned
Keeping cherry shrimp was not without its challenges. One of the first issues I encountered was the introduction of scuds—tiny crustaceans that prey on shrimp eggs. Their presence in the tank significantly reduced the number of shrimplets reaching maturity. This experience taught me the importance of carefully selecting tank mates and maintaining a pest-free environment. I also learned that shrimp are sensitive to sudden changes in water quality.
A few early losses due to improper acclimation reminded me to be patient and gradual when introducing new shrimp to the tank. Despite these challenges, each setback provided valuable lessons, making me a more knowledgeable and attentive aquarist.
Enjoying the Rewards of Cherry Shrimp Keeping
The joy of keeping cherry shrimp extends beyond their striking appearance and interesting behavior. These shrimp have transformed my aquarium into a vibrant ecosystem, where they contribute to the overall health of the tank by consuming biofilm and detritus. Their presence adds a dynamic element to the aquarium, as they are always busy foraging, exploring, and interacting with one another.
Over the years, my experience with cherry shrimp has deepened my appreciation for the intricacies of aquarium keeping. Watching the colony grow and thrive has been incredibly rewarding, and I’m always excited to share my experiences and tips with fellow shrimp enthusiasts.
Cherry Shrimp Care Guide
Cherry shrimp, scientifically known as Neocaridina davidi or simply “Neos,” are delightful freshwater shrimp that grow to about an inch (or 3.4 cm) in length. They are among the most beginner-friendly and enjoyable species to maintain in a planted aquarium.
With years of experience breeding and selling various color morphs like Bloody Mary and Green Jade shrimp, I’ve grown quite fond of these little creatures—they’ve even made it onto my logo! While this guide focuses on cherry shrimp, it applies equally to all color variations within the Neocaridina davidi species.
Origin and Habitat
Cherry shrimp are native to the freshwater streams of Taiwan but have spread to other parts of the world, including Japan, Germany, and Poland. Although they are now found in non-native regions, their impact on local ecosystems remains unclear. Since these areas often lack native shrimp species, cherry shrimp may not pose a significant threat to indigenous wildlife. Nevertheless, it’s essential never to release pets into the wild to prevent potential ecological disruptions.
Water Parameters
Cherry shrimp are incredibly resilient and can thrive under a wide range of water conditions. While many invertebrates are sensitive indicators of water quality, cherry shrimp are an exception. They can tolerate a broader spectrum of conditions than most hardy freshwater fish.
For optimal health, aim for a pH range of 6.5 to 8.0. Although they prefer moderate temperatures, they can withstand both cooler and warmer environments, ranging from 57°F to 86°F (14°C to 30°C). It’s crucial to maintain a general hardness (GH) of 7 to 11 degrees and a carbonate hardness (KH) of 2 to 6 degrees. These hardness levels are vital for the development and maintenance of their exoskeletons. Without the necessary minerals, their shells can become soft and vulnerable.
Cherry shrimp adapt well to tanks with or without CO2 and can handle various water flow levels. While they can survive in low levels of ammonia and nitrites, it’s best to keep these at zero. Nitrates should be kept below 30 PPM to avoid toxicity.
Aquarium Setup
A larger tank provides numerous benefits for cherry shrimp, including greater stability and potential for population growth. I’ve kept colonies in a 75-gallon tank, and at their peak, I could sell 200 shrimp without significantly reducing the population.
While a 5-gallon (20-liter) tank is the minimum recommended size, a larger tank is always better. A heater or filtration system is optional but can help maintain stable conditions. If you choose to use a filter, be sure to cover the intake with a sponge to prevent shrimp from being sucked in. Some filters, like the Oase Biomaster, can safely collect shrimp without harming them. I often release shrimp and scuds that accumulate in my filter during cleanings.
Plants are an excellent addition to a cherry shrimp habitat for two reasons: they provide essential hiding spots, especially for juveniles, and they support biofilm growth, a favorite food source for shrimp. Cherry shrimp are effective biofilm scavengers, making them ideal for keeping your planted tank clean.
If a planted tank isn’t your style, you can use plastic decor, but you’ll need to feed them a varied diet and ensure they have adequate hiding spots. Some aquarists believe that cherry shrimp display richer colors on darker substrates, but this may vary depending on the lineage. Lighting intensity is also a matter of personal preference, as these shrimp are quite outgoing and will be active regardless of the lighting.
Acclimating Cherry Shrimp
Although cherry shrimp are hardy, they can be sensitive to sudden changes in water quality. To acclimate them, it’s advisable to gradually add water from your tank into their transport bag or container. While drip acclimation isn’t necessary, adding four or five scoops of water over five minutes should be sufficient.
Feeding Cherry Shrimp
Cherry shrimp are opportunistic feeders and will consume almost anything you provide. They are not picky eaters and will scavenge on anything from fish food to the remains of other tank inhabitants. They won’t eat your live plants, but they do enjoy biofilm and detritus, which helps keep your tank clean.
Even though they scavenge quite well, it’s still beneficial to add extra food to their diet. This could be a small amount of flake food or algae wafers. Fresh foods like zucchini slices or blanched broccoli are also great options, providing them with essential calcium.
Even while cherry shrimp help decrease biofilm, they are not very good at eating algae. They can prevent algae formation by competing for biofilm but don’t expect them to tackle issues like black beard or hair algae.
Tank Mates
When considering tank mates for cherry shrimp, remember that if a fish can fit a shrimp in its mouth, it will likely eat it. Cherry shrimp can coexist with smaller community fish such as tetras, danios, and rasboras. Even small rainbowfish like threadfins, gertrudes, and forktails can be safe companions.
However, avoid housing cherry shrimp with larger fish like cichlids, even dwarf varieties, as well as archerfish, gouramis, bettas, knife fish, and Siamese algae eaters, as they are likely to prey on the shrimp.
Some species, like sparkling gouramis, may not eat adult shrimp but will hunt down baby shrimp, limiting the reproductive rate. Scuds are particularly troublesome as they consume shrimp eggs before they even hatch. To maximize your shrimp population, avoid keeping them with micro predators.
You can mix cherry shrimp with other shrimp species like Amanos or crystals, but avoid housing them with crawdads or predatory crabs.
Breeding and Color Morphs
Breeding cherry shrimp is a rewarding and straightforward process. However, understanding the different color morphs is essential if you want to maintain specific color varieties in your tank.
In the wild, cherry shrimp are usually clear or mottled with brown or green for camouflage. Bright colors would make them easy prey. The vibrant colors we see today are the result of selective breeding. Early shrimp breeders selected red shrimp from wild populations and bred them to produce more red offspring. Over time, this selective breeding has introduced a wide range of colors and patterns not found in nature.
If you want to breed shrimp with a specific color, you’ll need to regularly remove any shrimp that don’t match your desired color. For example, my Bloody Mary shrimp colony started to revert to lower-grade shrimp because I stopped culling non-red shrimp. Introducing scuds to the tank also reduced the reproductive rate, making it more challenging to maintain a high-grade shrimp population.
To successfully breed cherry shrimp, maintain the water parameters mentioned earlier and choose tank mates wisely. Predators may target colorful shrimp more quickly, leading to a gradual return to the wild type.
Molting
Cherry shrimp have exoskeletons, which they must shed periodically as they grow. Unlike humans, whose skeletons grow with us, shrimp must replace their shells with larger ones during each molting cycle.
Finding clear casings in your tank is a good sign that your shrimp are growing. However, if you notice dead shrimp, they may be struggling with molting. Inadequate minerals can lead to soft shells, making it difficult for shrimp to molt successfully.
To support healthy molting, increase your water hardness with aquarium additives or stones like limestone. Feeding calcium-rich foods can also help.
Parasites, Diseases, and Ailments
While cherry shrimp are generally hardy, they can be susceptible to certain parasites and diseases. The most common parasite is Scutariella japonica, a flatworm that appears as slender white fluffs around the shrimp’s head. Although some consider them harmless, they can be concerning. I’ve found that treating with No Planaria is effective for removing these parasites.
Other less common issues include Vorticella, a parasite that looks like white mold around the head, and shrimp worms, which are visible in clear shrimp. These can be treated with aquarium salt or No Planaria. Unhealthy shrimp may also develop fungal infections, which appear as white fuzz and can be treated with PIMAFIX.
Overall, cherry shrimp are one of the hardiest species you can keep. By carefully inspecting shrimp before purchasing and maintaining a clean, stable environment, you can minimize the risk of parasites and diseases.
This guide should give you a solid foundation for successfully keeping and breeding cherry shrimp. Whether you’re new to shrimp keeping or an experienced aquarist, these fascinating creatures can add color and activity to your aquarium while helping to maintain a healthy, balanced environment.
