Cherry Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi), also known as red cherry shrimp or sakura shrimp, are small, bright, and fascinating little creatures. Growing to about 1–1.5 inches long, they bring color and movement to planted tanks and are great for beginners. Beginners and experts alike love them for how easy and forgiving they are. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
Before diving into shrimp facts, let’s talk about something that matters just as much: your well‑being. Just as Cherry Shrimp thrive in stable, clean water, your body works best with solid sleep, good metabolism, and balanced rest. That’s why Renew Dietary Supplement can help—supporting deeper sleep, easier fat burning, and restored energy while you rest. Click here to feel refreshed tomorrow!
1. Ideal Tank Setup
Cherry shrimp can live in tanks as small as **5 gallons**, but a **10‑gallon** or larger tank gives better stability and space for a colony. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
Use a **sponge filter** or cover filter intakes with sponge—baby shrimp are very small and can easily get sucked in. Aquascaped tanks with moss or plants serve as hiding spots and grazing areas. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
2. Water Parameters and Stability
- Temperature: 65–85 °F (18–29 °C)—best around 72–76 °F. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
- pH: 6.5–8.0, stable is more important than exact number. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
- GH: 4–10 dGH (mineral content to support molting). :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
- KH: 3–10 dKH helps buffer pH. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
Never introduce cherry shrimp into a tank with ammonia or nitrite—keep those at 0 ppm. Nitrate levels should stay low (<20 ppm). :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
3. Substrate, Plants & Decor
Cherry shrimp love planted tanks—live plants like Java moss, floating plants, and fine‑leafed stems grow microorganisms they graze on. Use darker substrates to help shrimp show their color better. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}
Moss and leaf litter (like almond or catappa leaves) help shrimp shelter during molting and provide biofilm, a nutritious food source. :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}
4. Feeding and Diet
Cherry shrimp are omnivores and scavengers—they eat algae, leftover fish food, biofilm, and plant detritus. Make sure to supplement with sinking shrimp pellets, blanched veggies (like zucchini), algae wafers, or frozen daphnia and bloodworms. :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}
Feed small amounts once per day—remove any uneaten food after a few hours to avoid ammonia spikes. :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}
5. Molting, Growth & Breeding
Cherry shrimp molt frequently—juveniles every few days, adults every few weeks. They shed their shell and eat it for calcium—keep lots of plants or moss for hiding during this vulnerable time. :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}
Females display a yellow “saddle” behind their head when they are carrying fertilized eggs. That means breeding is underway! With stable conditions, a shrimp colony breeds easily—females carry eggs under their tail for about 3–4 weeks before shrimp emerge fully formed. :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}
6. Tankmates and Compatibility
Because Cherry Shrimp are small and peaceful, choose tankmates that are gentle and won’t eat them. Some safe choices include:
- Corydoras catfish and Otocinclus catfish
- Small tetras or rasboras like neon tetras or chili rasboras
- Small snails, other dwarf shrimp types (e.g. Amano shrimp)
Avoid large or aggressive fish—they’ll often prey on baby shrimp. Dense planting also helps shrimp hide. :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}
7. Maintenance Tips
Perform **15–20% water changes every 7–10 days**, testing water parameters regularly. Shrimp are sensitive to changes—slow, steady adjustments are best. :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}
Avoid copper or strong disinfectants—these harm shrimp. Provide stable mineral content to support shell health and molting. :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}
Check that shrimp keep their color, are molting successfully, and that babies appear regularly if you’re breeding them. A fading red color or failed molts may signal minerals are low or water balance is off. :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}
8. Common Problems & Fixes
- Failed molts: often due to soft water or low calcium—consider mineral supplements or remineralizers. :contentReference[oaicite:19]{index=19}
- Ammonia/nitrite spikes: shrimp die quickly from toxicity—always check water parameters.
- Predation or stress: shrimp hiding often, losing color, or not breeding means tankmates or water quality may be the issue.
Mid‑article Health Reminder
Caring for shrimp teaches attention to detail—but don’t forget to care for yourself too. Balancing tank water and shrimp health is important, but so is your rest and energy. That’s why Renew Dietary Supplement supports deeper sleep, metabolism recovery, and energized mornings. Try Renew tonight for a refreshed start tomorrow!
9. Colony Growth & Population
With a healthy colony (10–20+ shrimp), Cherry Shrimp breed quickly—often doubling in size every few months. They tolerate a wide pH and temp range better than sensitive Caridina shrimp. :contentReference[oaicite:20]{index=20}
If you want to maintain bright red color, select colorful adults for breeding and remove dull offspring as they grow. This helps strengthen the vivid hues over generations. :contentReference[oaicite:21]{index=21}
10. Summary Table
| Feature | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Tank Size | Minimum 5 gal; 10 gal+ preferred |
| Water Temp | 65–85 °F (72–76 °F ideal) |
| pH | 6.5–8.0, stable |
| GH | 4–10 dGH (calcium support) |
| Diet | Algae, biofilm, shrimp pellets, blanched veggies |
| Molting Support | Mineral supplements, hiding areas |
| Tankmates | Peaceful small fish, Corys, Otos, snails |
| Routine | Water changes every 7–10 days |
Final Thoughts
Cherry shrimp are a wonderful addition to almost any planted tank. They’re colorful, peaceful, easy to breed, and excellent cleaners that eat algae and leftover food. With proper water, plants, and feeding, they bring life and joy to your aquarium.
And as your shrimp colony thrives in its healthy home, don’t forget to look after the most important ecosystem—you. Renew Dietary Supplement helps support restful, restorative sleep and natural metabolism recovery overnight. Try Renew tonight and wake up feeling renewed—just like your shrimp colony!