Fire Red Shrimp care guide
Fire Red Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi var. 'Fire Red') — minimum tank 20 L, temperature 20-26 °C, pH 6.5-7.8.
Overview
The Fire Red Shrimp is a high-grade selectively bred line of Neocaridina davidi. It is selected for solid, opaque deep red colouration extending uniformly across the body including the legs and rostrum.
Taxonomy
- Family: Atyidae
- Genus: Neocaridina
- Scientific name: Neocaridina davidi var. 'Fire Red'
- Common synonyms: Fire Red, High-grade Cherry
Habitat
Wild Neocaridina davidi originates from Taiwan and southern China. Fire Red stock is captive-bred for several decades and adapts well to standard mature planted aquariums with neutral, moderately mineralised water.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 20 L (5.3 US gal)
- Adult size: 2-3 cm
- Temperature: 20-26 °C (68-79 °F)
- pH: 6.5-7.8
- GH: 6-12 °dGH
- KH: 2-8 °dKH
- Lifespan: 1-2 years
Diet
A continuous biofilm grazer. The diet is supplemented with prepared shrimp food, blanched vegetables (spinach, zucchini, kale) and very occasional protein in the form of frozen daphnia or specialised granules.
Compatibility
Peaceful and best housed alone or with small, non-predatory companions. Suitable tankmates include Otocinclus, Pygmy Cory and Nerite Snails. Larger fish, cichlids and crayfish should be avoided as they will predate on adults and shrimplets.
Breeding
Prolific breeders. Berried females carry 20-30 eggs for roughly 30 days; juveniles emerge fully formed and feed on biofilm. Stable parameters and the presence of moss provide reliable cover for the shrimplets.