Cherry Shrimp Care Guide: Neocaridina davidi Aquarium Setup

Cherry Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi), known for their vibrant red color and small size, have become a popular choice among aquarists for both their beauty and their practical benefits in maintaining a clean and balanced aquarium. These freshwater shrimp are relatively easy to care for, making them ideal for both beginners and experienced aquarists. This guide covers everything you need to know about caring for and maintaining Cherry Shrimp in your aquarium.

Understanding Cherry Shrimp

Cherry Shrimp are native to Taiwan and have been selectively bred over generations to enhance their red coloration. The intensity of their color can vary, with higher grades displaying a deeper, more vivid red. They are peaceful, hardy, and adapt well to various freshwater environments, making them a versatile addition to many types of aquariums.

Aquarium Setup

Tank Size: Cherry Shrimp are small, typically growing up to 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) in length, so they do not require large tanks. A 5-gallon (19-liter) tank is sufficient for a small colony, but larger tanks provide more stability and room for population growth.

Substrate: A dark substrate is ideal for Cherry Shrimp, as it contrasts nicely with their red color, making them more visually striking. Fine gravel or sand is suitable, and the substrate should be smooth to avoid injuring their delicate bodies.

Decor: Cherry Shrimp enjoy a well-planted tank with plenty of hiding spots. Live plants like Java Moss, Anubias, and Hornwort are excellent choices, as they provide cover and surfaces for biofilm growth, which shrimp feed on. Driftwood and rock caves also offer additional hiding places, helping them feel secure.

Lighting: Moderate lighting is suitable for a Cherry Shrimp tank. While they don’t have specific lighting needs, the plants in the tank may require a certain level of light to thrive. Too much light can encourage algae growth, but a balanced light cycle of 8-10 hours a day is generally effective.

Filtration: Cherry Shrimp are sensitive to poor water quality, so a good filtration system is essential. Sponge filters are a popular choice because they provide gentle filtration and aeration without posing a risk of sucking up the shrimp. Ensure the filter is shrimp-safe, with no large intake openings where they could get trapped.

Water Parameters

Maintaining stable water parameters is crucial for the health and well-being of Cherry Shrimp.

Temperature: Cherry Shrimp thrive in water temperatures between 65°F and 80°F (18°C to 27°C). They can adapt to a wide range, but the optimal range for breeding is between 72°F and 78°F (22°C to 26°C).

pH and Hardness: The ideal pH for Cherry Shrimp is between 6.5 and 8.0. They prefer slightly acidic to neutral water, but can tolerate slightly alkaline conditions as well. Water hardness should be kept between 4 to 8 dGH (degrees of general hardness). Soft to moderately hard water is suitable, as long as it remains consistent.

Water Quality: Cherry Shrimp are highly sensitive to ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates. Regular water changes of 20-30% weekly are necessary to maintain good water quality. Test the water regularly to ensure that ammonia and nitrite levels are at 0 ppm, and keep nitrate levels below 20 ppm.

Diet and Feeding

Cherry Shrimp are omnivorous and feed on a variety of foods, making them excellent scavengers in an aquarium.

Staple Diet: A balanced diet can include high-quality shrimp pellets or flakes specifically formulated for freshwater shrimp. These foods contain essential nutrients that help maintain their color and health.

Supplemental Foods: In addition to commercial shrimp food, Cherry Shrimp enjoy blanched vegetables like zucchini, spinach, and carrots. They also feed on biofilm, algae, and detritus naturally occurring in the tank. You can occasionally offer treats like algae wafers, or dried leaves like Indian Almond (Catappa) leaves, which provide both food and beneficial tannins.

Feeding Frequency: Feed Cherry Shrimp small amounts once or twice a day. It’s important to avoid overfeeding, as leftover food can decompose and negatively impact water quality. Since Cherry Shrimp are active foragers, providing them with a varied diet will ensure they get all the nutrients they need.

Behavior and Tank Mates

Cherry Shrimp are peaceful and social creatures, typically thriving in small colonies.

Behavior: They are active throughout the day, constantly scavenging the tank for food. Cherry Shrimp are known for their cleaning abilities, as they consume algae, uneaten food, and other organic debris, helping to keep the tank clean.

Tank Mates: When choosing tank mates, it’s important to consider the peaceful nature and small size of Cherry Shrimp. Ideal tank mates include small, non-aggressive fish like Tetras, Guppies, and Rasboras. Avoid housing them with larger, aggressive species that may see the shrimp as food, such as Cichlids or larger Catfish. Cherry Shrimp also do well in species-only tanks, where they can breed and form larger colonies without any predation threats.

Breeding Cherry Shrimp

Cherry Shrimp are prolific breeders, making them easy to propagate in a well-maintained aquarium.

Mating Behavior: In a stable environment with optimal water parameters, Cherry Shrimp will breed readily. Males are smaller and less brightly colored than females. When a female molts, she releases pheromones that attract males, leading to mating.

Eggs and Fry: After mating, the female carries the fertilized eggs under her abdomen, known as “berried.” The eggs are usually green or yellow and take about 2-3 weeks to hatch, depending on the temperature. The fry, or baby shrimp, are tiny replicas of the adults and do not go through a larval stage. They can fend for themselves from birth, feeding on biofilm and finely crushed food.