What Are Red Cherry Shrimp?
Red cherry shrimp are small freshwater crustaceans. That means they have hard body parts. The shrimp can be a peaceful, easy-to-keep pet instead of fish. Whether you already have an aquarium at home or are new to the hobby, red cherry shrimp make great pets.
They have scientific names such as Neocaridina davidi, Neocaridina denticulata sinensis, and Neocaridina heteropoda. They’re a little different from the shrimp you eat (marine shrimp).
Red cherry shrimp have five walking legs called periopods. They use the first two legs (called chelate) like claws to grab their food. They also have three pairs of maxillipeds. These jaw legs pick up food.
And they have five pairs of limbs called pleopods for swimming. But the female shrimp use their pleopods to hold eggs.
In the wild, these shrimp are greenish-brown. But breeders have selected colorful ones. Now, you can get them in bright colors and patterns. The different colors are sometimes called morphs. You can find cherry shrimp morphs that are:
- Red
- Blue
- Orange
- Yellow
- Green
- Blue
The neocaridina red cherry shrimp are a popular beginner-level choice for freshwater tanks (aquariums). It's relatively simple to care for your shrimp.
There are just a few specific rules to follow when you set up your tank. Learn more about them and see if this pet is right for you and your family.
What to Know Before Buying Red Cherry Shrimp
You may be unsure about choosing a cherry red shrimp. Or perhaps you're considering another small aquatic pet.
Here are some things to consider:
You can keep red cherry shrimp in a small aquarium. Unlike most freshwater fish, cherry red shrimp have very little “bioload.” This means they don't make a lot of stool. And this doesn’t put a large strain on your tank’s living environment (ecosystem).
So, you can keep dozens of them in a 10-gallon tank. Or if you want, keep hundreds of shrimp in a 55-gallon tank. And they breed rapidly under the right conditions.
They’re ideal “first pets” for children. Cherry shrimp are easy to keep when you follow a few important care steps. And you don’t need to interact with them. Cherry shrimp could make a perfect pet if your child is too young to care for something else.
You can buy them from a pet store or a breeder. Pet stores may or may not carry red cherry shrimp. If you’re looking for a certain color, you can look online or ask a breeder. Do your research first to make sure the breeder is trustworthy and ships aquatic life ethically and safely.
Breeding your shrimp. If you’d like to have baby cherry shrimp, buy at least 10 cherry shrimp. This is thought to be a good ratio mix for male and female to start your tank.
Your shrimp might become a snack. Be careful about choosing tankmates for your shrimp. Adult red cherry shrimp typically get around 1.2 to 1.5 inches long. Even when they’re fully grown. But some shrimp are much smaller.
They’re easy food sources for cichlids. Even smaller fish like bettas or mollies eat them. Experts say to keep a shrimp-only tank or add a harmless pet like a snail.
They enjoy a planted tank. Shrimp love plants, especially aquatic moss. But they are called opportunistic feeders. They'll eat algae, biofilm, and even dead plants at the bottom of your tank.
But if you have a densely planted tank, avoid fertilizers with copper or other metals. These ingredients are toxic to your shrimp and can kill them.
It’s also a good idea to soak your plants in water for a few hours. Then add them to your tank. Change your water a few times after fertilizing, too. This will help remove any potential poisons such as pesticides from your plants.
Red Cherry Shrimp Care
Your shrimp will eat every day. Cherry red shrimp spend most of the time grazing on your tank's plants. They can eat decaying plants, too. Here are a few tips to care for your little shrimp:
Minerals for red cherry shrimp. If you have soft water, it can stop your shrimp from shedding their skin (molting). This leads to a condition called “white ring of death." It can cause your shrimp to die.
You can buy “shrimp sticks” or “mini wafers” at your pet store. It has extra minerals your cherry shrimp need, such as calcium.
They aren’t tank cleaners. The little shrimp will also eat any small microorganisms (like bacteria) at the bottom of your tank. They only eat a little. Keep in mind they don’t really clean your tank for you. So, you’ll still need to keep your tank clean.
Diet for color. Some studies suggest that what you feed your shrimp (diet) can bring out its color — unless it's white. Feed them a diet rich in lipids (fats) and carotenoids (yellow, orange, and red veggies).
It may brighten up your shrimp's color. Try boiling zucchini, spinach, or squash for them.
Darker substrates. If you do have white cherry shrimp, you can change their color. Add a dark substrate at the bottom of the tank. In about three months, you'll likely see their black spots grow darker.
It seems they like to match their environment. Red morphs may get redder, while brown ones may get darker.
Water for baby cherry shrimp. If you’re breeding your pets, once they’re berried (have eggs), you’ll see them under their tails. They’ll fan the cherry red shrimp eggs to control oxygen levels. You can help, too.
Add an aerator instead of a filter to your tank. Or add thick wool layers to your filter to block or slow your intake siphon rate.
Also, keep calcium levels high in your tank to help the eggs mature and the babies develop properly. You can add limestone chips to your filter or feed them “shrimp sticks.”
How to Set Up a Tank for Red Cherry Shrimp
These little crustaceans are willing to eat many types of food. They’re not as picky as some species of fish and don't need specific tank decor. But it’s important to make sure they’re comfortable.
Here are some steps for a good cherry red shrimp habitat:
Water. Strive to keep your water clean and free of harmful chemicals like chlorine. Make sure to buy a heater for your tank. Red cherry shrimp are tropical creatures.
They need to stay warm. While cherry shrimp can live in a wide range of temperatures, keep your water at about 65 F to 85 F.
Also, buy a filter intake covered in gauze or sponge. Look for one that’s designed for small, delicate shrimp. Also, get a water testing kit.
This will help you know the levels of certain chemicals in your water.
You’ll need to regularly check the levels of:
- Ammonia: 0 parts per million (ppm)
- Nitrite: 0 ppm
- Nitrate: Less than 20 ppm
- pH: Between 6.5 to 8.0
This keeps your water safe for your shrimp. If you have soft water, you may need to add mineral supplements for your shrimp, too. Ask the breeder or pet store about this if you aren’t sure.
You can also change about 30% (a portion) of your shrimp tank’s water each week. This helps keep toxins and other chemicals at a low level.
Decorations. Red cherry shrimp do well with a variety of decorations and enjoy climbing on and playing in live aquatic plants. They also like to seek shelter. You can pick out a shrimp cave for them to cover up in.
Live plants benefit your tank by helping keep the water clean. They can also offer nutrition for your pets. Cherry red shrimp like to eat many types of aquatic plants, as well as algae.
Add decoration or plastic plants that are specific for aquariums. Don’t get them from your pond or garden. These can carry parasites or other harmful pests.
Substrate. This term refers to the material covering the bottom of the tank. You can choose not to have a substrate, but it does look nice and fosters helpful bacteria growth, too. This also helps keep your tank’s water clean.
Freshwater aquariums can hold several pounds of gravel, sand, or soil. Shrimp aren’t picky about the substrate they walk on.
But they do prefer to blend in with a darker one. Remember to buy aquarium-friendly gravel or sand. It won’t contaminate your tank.
Should I Breed My Red Cherry Shrimp?
Shrimp are easy to breed if you have the right water conditions. They need warmer water with plenty of plant cover, making it feel like summer in the tropics. And that’s breeding time. If you wish to breed your red cherry shrimp, keep these points in mind:
Lots of baby cherry shrimp. Red cherry shrimp eggs hatch quickly. Babies will soon fill your tank. Consider if you have room for hundreds of shrimp before you start this process.
Unlike other crustaceans, cherry red shrimp don’t have a larval stage (a young form between the egg and adult). So the shrimp emerge from their eggs as little adults. If you don’t want to keep them, you can sell or re-home your future baby shrimp.
Diet for cherry shrimp. They need a healthy diet. Feed them commercial red cherry shrimp food. It has special minerals to help.
You can also add fresh vegetables like zucchini to produce healthy eggs. This is the best red cherry shrimp diet to follow. It's good even if you're not breeding your pets.
Breeding temperature. You should use a water heater to keep the temperature in the ideal breeding range for your shrimp. Experts recommend a red cherry shrimp water temperature of 81 F to 82 F for breeding.
If you don’t want your shrimp to breed, you could try lowering your shrimp tank’s temperature to below 77 F. A lower temperature tells your shrimp it isn't time to breed. However, lower-than-ideal temperatures make your shrimp more prone to disease and health problems.
What Is the Typical Red Cherry Shrimp Lifespan?
Red cherry shrimp are not long-lived creatures. It’s rare for them to live for more than two years.
Once the females carry eggs, they’re called berried. They carry the eggs under their body until they hatch. Holding their eggs under their belly helps them keep the eggs clean.
It can take about 16 to 19 days for eggs to hatch. Cherry red shrimp can carry about 43 to 60 eggs. Their little ones will emerge about 1 to 2 millimeters (1/25 to 1/16 inch) long.
When they hatch from their eggs, they’re already fully formed crustaceans. These little adults are sexually mature after 30 days. Then, they’ll start to have more babies.
Cherry red shrimp are great low-maintenance pets. But they’re also great for more experienced aquarists wishing to care for a new species. Remember to check on your tank’s water quality. You’ll want to get that set before you purchase your shrimp.
Red Cherry Shrimp FAQs
How often do cherry shrimp breed?
Red cherry shrimp eggs take about 16 to 19 days to hatch. Once they emerge, the little adults are sexually mature and ready to breed again in about 30 days. So in less than two months, a single egg can produce up to 60 little shrimp.
How many babies do red cherry shrimp have?
Cherry red shrimp can carry 43 to 60 eggs under their tails. They hatch as little adults and can breed again in about 30 days. A 55-gallon tank can hold up to 1,000 cherry red shrimp.
Are red cherry shrimp edible?
These little shrimp only get 1.2 to 1.5 inches long. They’re sometimes called ornamental shrimp. This refers to colorful shrimp, but we usually don’t eat them.
Can red cherry shrimp live with other fish?
Not all fish can live with red cherry shrimp. Red cherry shrimp can make a good snack for some fish. Be careful about your cherry red shrimp’s tankmates. Choose peaceful friends for your pet, such as snails.
Do red cherry shrimp need a heater?
You’ll need a heater to keep your water between 65 F and 85 F. But if you’d like to breed your little shrimp, keep it near the higher end. The ideal temperature to breed your shrimp is 81 F to 82 F.
