Cherry Shrimp Care Guide – Colour, Character & Simplicity
At White Cliff Aquatics, one of our most popular freshwater invertebrates is the humble Cherry Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi). These little gems are full of personality, easy to care for, and bring a burst of colour and activity to any aquarium. Whether you’re new to shrimp keeping or expanding your clean-up crew, here’s everything you need to know to keep your colony thriving.
💧 Tank Setup
Cherry shrimp don’t need a massive aquarium — a 10-litre tank can house a small group, though 20 litres or more is ideal for stability and growth. Use fine gravel or sand substrate, and add plenty of live plants, moss, and hiding spots like driftwood or shrimp tubes.
They feel safest when they have cover, and live plants also help maintain water quality — plus, baby shrimp love grazing on the biofilm that grows there.
🌡️ Water Parameters
Cherry shrimp are hardy but appreciate stable, clean water. Aim for:
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Temperature: 20–26°C
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pH: 6.5–8.0
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GH: 6–8
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KH: 3–8
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Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm
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Nitrate: below 20 ppm
A gentle sponge filter is perfect, as it won’t suck up tiny shrimp or fry. Regular small water changes (around 10–20% weekly) keep conditions ideal.
🍽️ Feeding
Cherry shrimp are scavengers, feeding on algae, detritus, and leftover fish food. Supplement their diet with high-quality shrimp pellets, blanched vegetables (like spinach, courgette, or cucumber), and biofilm enhancers.
Feed sparingly — if food remains after a few hours, you’re likely overfeeding. Less is more for a clean and healthy shrimp tank.
🧬 Breeding
One of the best things about cherry shrimp is how easily they breed in the right environment. Females carry eggs under their tails for around 3–4 weeks before releasing tiny, fully formed shrimplets.
Keep water stable, avoid predators, and provide moss or fine plants where babies can hide and feed — soon you’ll have a thriving colony!
🚫 Tank Mates
Cherry shrimp are peaceful and should be housed with other calm species. Ideal tank mates include:
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Small snails (Nerite, Ramshorn, etc.)
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Small tetras, rasboras, or nano fish
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Otocinclus catfish
Avoid anything that might view shrimp as a snack — especially larger or predatory fish.
🌿 Why Keep Cherry Shrimp?
Cherry shrimp add constant movement, interest, and colour to your tank — plus they help with algae control and detritus cleanup. They’re also fascinating to watch as they graze, molt, and breed.
At White Cliff Aquatics, we regularly stock high-quality Cherry Shrimp in a range of colours, from standard red to fire red and sakura grades. Pop in to see them in person — they’re even more vibrant up close!