Cherry Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi
Family: Atyidae • Origin: East Asia
Cherry Shrimp are the most popular freshwater invertebrate. Bright red, constantly grazing, and breeding readily.
Min Tank
5 gal
Max Size
1.5"
Temperature
65-80°F
pH
6.5-8
Lifespan
2 years
School Size
6+
Swim Level
bottom
Hardness
6-15 dGH
peacefulbeginneromnivoreschooling
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
5 gallonnano tankplanted tankalgae control
Compatible Tank Mates
View all →
Neon Tetra
Paracheirodon innesi
70-81°FpH 6-710+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+1.5"
Ember Tetra
Hyphessobrycon amandae
73-84°FpH 5.5-75+ gal
peacefulschooling 8+0.8"
Rummy Nose Tetra
Hemigrammus rhodostomus
75-84°FpH 5.5-720+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+2.5"
Black Neon Tetra
Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi
73-81°FpH 5.5-7.510+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+1.6"
Serpae Tetra
Hyphessobrycon eques
72-82°FpH 6-7.520+ gal
semi-aggressiveschooling 6+1.75"
Black Skirt Tetra
Gymnocorymbus ternetzi
70-82°FpH 6-7.515+ gal
peacefulschooling 5+3"
Similar Species
Blue Velvet Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi var. blue
65-80°FpH 6.5-85+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+1.5"
Orange Sakura Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi var. orange
65-80°FpH 6.5-85+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+1.5"
Ghost Shrimp
Palaemonetes paludosus
65-82°FpH 7-810+ gal
peacefulschooling 4+2"
Red Rili Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi var. rili
65-80°FpH 6.5-85+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+1.5"