Cherry Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi
Family: Atyidae • Origin: East Asia
Cherry Shrimp are the most popular freshwater invertebrate. Bright red, constantly grazing, and breeding readily.
Is Cherry Shrimp Right for Your Tank?
Cherry Shrimp is an excellent choice for beginners — rated "beginner" difficulty (1/5). They're hardy, forgiving of minor water parameter fluctuations, and generally easy to feed. At just 5 gallons minimum, they work well in nano tanks and smaller setups.
With a peaceful temperament, Cherry Shrimp makes a great community fish. They coexist well with other non-aggressive species of similar size. This is a schooling species — keep at least 6 together, or they may become stressed and display abnormal behavior. Expected lifespan: 2 years with proper care.
Common Mistakes with Cherry Shrimp
Keeping fewer than 6 together
Cherry Shrimp is a schooling species — they need a group of at least 6 to feel secure. Lone or paired individuals become stressed, hide constantly, and may develop health issues or aggression.
Relying on a heater without a thermometer
Cherry Shrimp needs 65–80°F. Heaters malfunction or drift over time — always use a separate thermometer to verify. Temperature swings of even 3–4°F can trigger stress and disease, particularly ich.
Putting them in a tank under 5 gallons
While 5 gallons is the minimum, nano tanks require more frequent water changes and leave less room for error. A slightly larger tank (10 gal) is much more forgiving.
Care Tips
- • Avoid copper-based medications
- • Provide lots of plants and mosses
- • Breed readily in stable conditions
- • Sensitive to ammonia spikes
- • No dedicated feeding needed in mature tanks
Feeding: Algae, biofilm, blanched vegetables, shrimp pellets.
Compatibility Notes: Only keep with small peaceful fish. Most medium+ fish will eat shrimp.
Tank Setup & Water Parameters
Tank Requirements
- Minimum Tank Size
- 5 gallons
- Recommended Tank Size
- 10 gallons
- Swimming Level
- bottom
- Minimum School Size
- 6+ fish
Water Parameters
- Temperature
- 65–80°F
- pH Range
- 6.5–8
- Hardness (dGH)
- 6–15
- Water Type
- freshwater
Behavior & Temperament
- Temperament
- peaceful
- Aggression Level
- 1/5
- Schooling
- Yes
- Territorial
- No
- Fin Nipper
- No
- Predatory
- No
- Diet Type
- omnivore
- Growth Rate
- moderate
Only keep with small peaceful fish. Most medium+ fish will eat shrimp.
Breeding
- Breeding Type
- egg layer
- Breeding Difficulty
- easy
- Lifespan
- 2 years
Ideal For
Compatible Tank Mates
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Neon Tetra
Paracheirodon innesi
Ember Tetra
Hyphessobrycon amandae
Rummy Nose Tetra
Hemigrammus rhodostomus
Black Neon Tetra
Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi
Serpae Tetra
Hyphessobrycon eques
Black Skirt Tetra
Gymnocorymbus ternetzi
Similar Species
Blue Velvet Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi var. blue
Orange Sakura Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi var. orange
Ghost Shrimp
Palaemonetes paludosus
Red Rili Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi var. rili