Neocaridina Red Cherry Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi)

Neocaridina Red Cherry Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi)

Scientific Name: Neocaridina davidi
Common Names: Red Cherry Shrimp, Cherry Shrimp, Neo Cherry Shrimp
Family: Atyidae
Origin: Taiwan (selectively bred from wild Neocaridina)

 

Overview

Red Cherry Shrimp are one of the most लोकप्रिय and beginner-friendly freshwater shrimp in the aquarium hobby. Known for their bright red coloration and constant grazing activity, they are excellent additions to planted tanks. Their hardiness, ease of breeding, and algae-cleaning ability make them ideal for both beginners and advanced aquarists. Color intensity can vary depending on grading, ranging from light translucent red to deep solid red.

 

Size

• Adult Size: 1–1.5 inches
• Growth Rate: Fast

 

Lifespan

• Typically 1–2 years

 

Temperament

• Completely peaceful
• Highly social; best kept in groups/colonies
• Non-aggressive and safe with other peaceful tank mates
• Easily preyed upon by larger fish

 

Tank Requirements

• Minimum Tank Size: 5 gallons
• Recommended: 10+ gallons for stable colonies
• Substrate: Sand or fine gravel (darker substrates enhance coloration)
• Aquascape: Heavily planted tanks with moss (Java moss, Christmas moss), driftwood, and biofilm-rich surfaces
• Filtration: Sponge filter preferred to prevent shrimplet loss

 

Water Parameters

• Temperature: 20–26°C (68–78°F)
• pH: 6.5–7.8
• Hardness: 6–12 dGH
• Thrive in stable, well-established aquariums

 

Diet

• Omnivorous scavengers
• Feed on:
  • Algae and biofilm
  • High-quality shrimp pellets
  • Blanched vegetables (zucchini, spinach, cucumber)
• Require calcium for proper molting

 

Feeding

• Feed once daily or every other day
• Avoid overfeeding to maintain water quality
• Mature tanks provide natural grazing opportunities

 

Tank Mates

Compatible:

• Small peaceful fish (ember tetras, chili rasboras, endlers)
• Snails (nerite, mystery, ramshorn)
• Other Neocaridina shrimp (same color line preferred)

 

Avoid:

• Aggressive or predatory fish (cichlids, larger tetras, goldfish)
• Fish known to nip or eat shrimp

 

Breeding

• Very easy to breed in freshwater
• Females carry eggs (“berried”) under abdomen
• Eggs hatch into miniature shrimp (no larval stage)
• Populations can grow rapidly under stable conditions

 

Reef Safe

• Not applicable (freshwater species)

 

Care Level

• Easy
• Perfect for beginners and nano tank setups

 

Special Notes

• Color grading ranges from low-grade (translucent red) to high-grade (deep solid red)
• Avoid mixing with other Neocaridina colors to prevent reverting to wild-type
• Sensitive to copper—never use copper-based medications
• Stable water parameters are more important than chasing exact numbers
• Regular maintenance and a mature tank will promote strong colony growth