Neocaridina shrimp (Neocaridina davidi) are the easiest dwarf shrimp to keep, and they come in many colors: fire red cherry, blue velvet, yellow and more. They graze on algae and biofilm all day and, in a healthy tank, breed on their own.
| Adult size | About 1–1.5 inches |
|---|---|
| Minimum tank | 5 gallons (10+ is more stable) |
| Temperature | 68–78°F |
| pH | 6.5–8.0 |
| Hardness | GH 6–8, KH 2–6 |
| TDS | About 150–250 ppm |
| Lifespan | 1–2 years |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
Setting up a shrimp tank
- Start with a fully cycled tank. Shrimp are more sensitive to ammonia and nitrite than most fish.
- Use a sponge filter or cover your filter intake with a sponge so baby shrimp are not sucked in.
- Add plants and moss. Java moss, floating plants and leaf litter give shrimp grazing surfaces and hiding places after molting.
- Keep it stable. Shrimp handle a range of conditions, but sudden changes cause stress and failed molts.
Acclimating new shrimp
Drip acclimate over 1–2 hours: float the bag to match temperature, then slowly add tank water to their container until the volume has roughly tripled before moving them over. Shrimp often hide for a day or two after arriving.
Feeding
Shrimp eat biofilm and algae constantly, so feed lightly: a small amount of shrimp food every day or two, removing leftovers after a few hours. Good choices are Fluval Bug Bites Shrimp Formula, blanched vegetables and leaf litter. Overfeeding is the most common cause of problems in shrimp tanks.
Molting
Shrimp shed their shell as they grow. You'll find empty, see-through shells. Leave them in; shrimp eat them for minerals. Trouble molting (a shrimp stuck with a white ring around its middle) usually points to hardness that's too low or big water changes with very different water.
Breeding
Berried (egg-carrying) females fan their eggs under the tail for about 3–4 weeks before tiny shrimplets hatch. No special setup is needed. Keep the tank peaceful and provide moss. Keep colors separate: different Neocaridina colors interbreed, and the babies tend to revert toward brown or clear over generations.
Tankmates
- Great: nerite snails, mystery snails, otocinclus and small peaceful fish like chili rasboras
- Risky: bettas and most tetras will eat baby shrimp; adult shrimp usually survive in a well-planted tank
- Avoid: cichlids, goldfish, loaches and any fish big enough to eat them
Watch out for copper
Copper is deadly to shrimp. It's found in many fish medications and some plant fertilizers, so check labels before treating a shrimp tank.
Frequently asked questions
Why are my shrimp dying after a water change?
Usually a sudden change in temperature, hardness or chlorine. Match temperature, always dechlorinate and change smaller amounts more often.
Can I mix red and blue cherry shrimp?
They can live together, but they will interbreed and the offspring lose their color over time. Keep one color per tank for best results.
How fast do cherry shrimp breed?
A healthy colony grows quickly. A female can carry a new batch of eggs every month or so.
Do cherry shrimp eat plants?
No. They graze on algae and biofilm on plants but do not eat healthy leaves.
Shop for this guide
- Fire Painted Red Cherry Shrimp
- Blue Velvet Shrimp
- Yellow Neocaridina Shrimp
- Fluval Bug Bites Shrimp Formula
- All freshwater shrimp
Questions? Call us at 786-642-3001 or visit the store at 8338 West State Road 84, Davie, FL (Wednesday to Sunday, 12–7 p.m.).