Red Cherry Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi) Care Guide
Neocaridina davidi 'Red Cherry' is the most popular freshwater shrimp: hardy, prolific in neutral medium-hard water, and an effective algae and biofilm grazer.
Overview
Neocaridina davidi is a small atyid freshwater shrimp native to Taiwan, China, the Korean Peninsula and Vietnam. The 'Red Cherry' colour form is the result of selective breeding from wild mottled-brown stock and is by far the most kept freshwater shrimp in the hobby. Adults reach 2-3 cm.
Taxonomy
- Family: Atyidae
- Genus: Neocaridina
- Scientific name: Neocaridina davidi
- Cultivar: 'Red Cherry'
- Trade grades: Cherry, Sakura, Fire Red, Painted Fire Red
Habitat
Wild populations inhabit slow-flowing freshwater streams and ponds with plenty of vegetation and stones in Taiwan, southern China and adjacent East Asia. The species has become invasive in thermally altered waterways in Japan, the United States, Poland and Germany following aquarium releases.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 20 L (5 gal)
- Temperature: 18-28 C (64-82 F)
- pH: 6.5-8.0 (neutral preferred)
- GH: 4-14 dGH
- KH: 2-8 dKH
- TDS: 150-300 µS/cm
- Lifespan: 1-2 years
- Water type: neutral to slightly hard freshwater
Diet
Detritivore-omnivore. In the aquarium feeds on biofilm, soft algae and detritus, supplemented with sinking shrimp pellets, blanched vegetables and occasional protein. Does not eat healthy vascular plants. Shrimp also consume their own moulted exoskeletons to recover calcium.
Compatibility
Peaceful and reef-unrelated. Safe with small peaceful fish such as Otocinclus, pygmy Corydoras, Endler's livebearers and Nerite snails. Avoid Cichlids, Goldfish, Angelfish and Crayfish, which will predate on the shrimp. Interbreeds with other Neocaridina davidi colour forms, producing wild-type offspring.
Breeding
Breeding is easy. Females reach sexual maturity at roughly two months and carry 20-30 eggs under the pleopods for 2-3 weeks. Neocaridina davidi has no larval stage — fully formed miniature shrimp hatch directly in freshwater, simplifying captive breeding.