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Cherry Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi) have been popular in the aquarium hobby since the 1990’s. Despite their common name, Cherry Shrimp are not always red in colour. There are many other colour variations within the species due to selective breeding.
Blue, orange, yellow, and even green Cherry Shrimp are not unusual at Pet Stores and Aquatic Dealers. And there are many other colour variations, some of which are a little rarer. Depending on the depth of their colour/pattern they are named and graded differently. This grading makes a difference in the price of the variations.
Although they originate from Taiwan and the surrounding areas Cherry Shrimp have also been found further afield. Even in substantially cooler climates. Wherever they are found though, their native habitat is in freshwater streams that contain lots of plants and leaf/plant debris.
The Cherry Shrimp that you buy from a Pet Store/Aquatic Dealer/Online are likely to be aquarium bred rather than wild caught. But knowing something about their native origins is not only interesting it’s useful knowledge if you’re planning to keep them.
So, that’s a brief introduction to Cherry Shrimp
But what about the more specific questions that you’re bound to ask if you want to keep Cherry Shrimp in your aquarium?
Below is a list of frequently asked questions about Cherry Shrimp. Just click on the links to take you straight to the answers. Or read as you scroll through the post to get the bigger picture. There’s also a lot of subheadings within most of the main categories that are full of facts and useful information.
- How Long Do Cherry Shrimp Live For?
- How Big Are Cherry Shrimp?
- What Do Cherry Shrimp Eat?
- Why Do Cherry Shrimp Moult?
- What Tank Water Conditions Do Cherry Shrimp Need?
- Do Cherry Shrimp Need A Filter?
- Do Cherry Shrimp Need A Heater?
- Do Cherry Shrimp Need A Tank Light?
- Do Cherry Shrimp Need Live Plants?
- Fish/Snails/Shrimp – Tankmates For Cherry Shrimp
- Is My Cherry Shrimp Male or Female?
- How Do Cherry Shrimp Breed?
Let’s get started on your in-depth care guide to keeping Cherry Shrimp
1 . How Long Do Cherry Shrimp Live For?
Cherry Shrimp typically live for between 12-18 months but they have been known to live a little longer. Unfortunately, some only live for a short time. Which isn’t unusual in the natural scheme of things and is quite common after they have been moved to a different tank. Nonetheless, the majority tend to live out their full life span given the right conditions.
2 . How Big Are Cherry Shrimp?
Female Cherry Shrimp are larger than the males at between 1-2 inches (2.54-5.08 cm) when full grown. Females are also ‘fatter’ than the males. Male Cherry Shrimp reach between 0.75 – 1 inch (1.90-2.54 cm) in size as adults and have a more slender abdomen than females.
When Do Cherry Shrimp Reach Full Size?
Cherry Shrimp are full grown when they reach about 4-6 months old. Probably near the 6 month mark. Although their growth rate can depend on tank conditions and the available food supply.
3 . What Do Cherry Shrimp Eat?
Cherry Shrimp are definitely not picky eaters. Because they’re omnivorous they will eat both vegetation and meaty protein.
Cherry Shrimp spend all day grazing on the algae, biofilm and decaying plant matter that naturally occur in an established tank. They also feed off of leaf litter such as Catappa, Oak, Banana and Mulberry leaves to name but a few. However, they do need other types of food in their diet.
Here’s some of the foods you can offer to your Cherry Shrimp
- Algae Wafers (Amazon link)
- Shrimp/Fish Pellets
- Snowflake Food (Amazon link)
- Fish Flake Food
- Bee Pollen (Amazon link)
- Shrimp Lollies (Amazon link)
- Blanched Vegetables
- Protein e.g. Brine Shrimp (Amazon link) Mosquito Larvae, Bloodworms
They will also eat their own moulted exoskeletons. They like to graze on Alder Cones and Seed Pods. And if they are sharing a tank with fish they will eat any leftover fish food that they find. Basically they will eat almost anything. Which makes them a good clean-up crew to have in your aquarium and good housekeepers in a Cherry Shrimp only tank.
Tip: A feeding dish with a feeding tube is useful for feeding shrimp of all kinds. It’s also handy for snails and bottom feeding fish. A dish helps to keep the food in one area of the aquarium. Which makes it easier to remove leftover food from the tank.
If you would like to add a feeding dish, or dish and feeding tube (Amazon link) to your tank there are lots available. The feeding tube needs to sit at least 0.78 inches (2 cm) above the waterline to allow easy feeding. Although you can have the top of the tube sitting as high as you like to suit your aquarium. So be sure to measure the height of the water from the top of the substrate to above the usual fill level of the tank before you buy.
How To Feed Your Cherry Shrimp
Most food for Cherry Shrimp can be dropped straight into the tank. You’ll find that your shrimp won’t have any trouble finding it in the water column, or on the plants and substrate. However, some of the food will be lost amongst the substrate, particularly within loose forms of substrate like gravel. And waste food will pollute the water column making it smelly and unhealthy. So it’s important not to overfeed your shrimp.
Using a feeding dish with a feeding tube, or even one without a tube, is an easy way to reduce food waste and water pollution. And the good news is that they’re cheap to buy and easy to install. They also help to reduce the amount of tank maintenance you need to do because they keep the majority of the food in one place. Which makes cleaning the tank a lot easier to do.
Tip: Shrimp Lollies are food on a stick. You can buy different ‘flavours’ for your Cherry Shrimp to try. You just push the lolly into the substrate, or a gap in wood/rocks, so it stands up. The shrimp will soon find it and start feeding off it.
How To Feed Vegetables To Your Cherry Shrimp
Cherry Shrimp love vegetables. Here’s a few that you can treat them to.
- Kale
- Spinach
- Courgette (Zucchini)
- Broccoli
- Peas
- Cauliflower
- Lettuce
And on the sweeter side of things Cherry Shrimp are partial to Carrots, Sweet potato and even a little bit of Pumpkin. There a lot more vegetables that you can try with your shrimp. So it’s worth experimenting a bit to see which ones they like best.
If you have a feeding dish in your tank put the vegetables into that because it makes it easier to clean up the leftovers.
Tip: You need to soften the vegetables first by simmering/microwaving until the veg is soft enough for the shrimp to eat. Let the vegetables cool down to room temperature before putting them into the tank.
How To Feed Protein Foods To Your Cherry Shrimp
Despite their love of algae and vegetables Cherry Shrimp need some protein in their diet too. Protein foods also encourage breeding. And some shrimp keepers say that it increases the number of eggs a female will produce.
A good quality flake or pellet food will contain both meaty protein, veg and additional nutrients to keep your shrimp healthy. But a little extra protein is always welcomed. Especially when the shrimp are getting ready to breed.
Bloodworms, Mosquito Larvae and Brine Shrimp are popular ways to feed Cherry Shrimp a little extra protein. They will eat other types of protein packed organisms too. So you could experiment a little if you want to.
You can usually buy protein foods either frozen or dried at Pet Stores, Aquatic Dealers and Online.
I prefer to buy mine dried rather than frozen. The reason for this is that, despite it’s big appetite, the Cherry Shrimp only has a tiny mouth. Dried bloodworms for example, are so much easier to crush down to size for my shrimp. I admit that I’m a little squeamish too. I really don’t fancy having to chop live, or even defrosted Bloodworms, up before I put them into the tank.
Once I’ve crushed the dried bloodworms down I soak them in a little tank water for a while. Usually for about 10 minutes. Rehydrating them means they will start sinking more quickly rather than floating on the top for ages. Then I just drip them slowly down the feeding tube so they land in the feeding bowl. If you don’t have a bowl and tube you can just tip them into the tank.
It’s up to you how you want to do it. But remember not to overfeed your shrimp or you’ll have a difficult job removing any excess from the aquarium.
When it comes to meaty snacks Cherry Shrimp will also eat any fish, snails, and even other shrimp, that die in the tank. It might sound a bit gruesome but it’s just nature.
It’s still best to remove any dead tankmates as soon as you spot them though. If you leave it too long and the deceased starts to decay you can end up with a big ammonia spike in the tank water. Which will put all of the tank community at risk.
Tip: Live protein foods are unlikely to be eaten by your Cherry Shrimp because they are scavengers not hunters. So you need to make sure you buy dead protein foods.
How Much And How Often Should You Feed Cherry Shrimp?
You can feed your Cherry Shrimp as frequently or infrequently as you like. But that’s as long as you take their tank conditions into account. Cherry Shrimp that live in an established shrimp only tank that has plenty of plant debris, biofilm and algae will need feeding less often than ones in a less mature tank. And Shrimp that live in a community tank, where their tankmates are fed a couple of times a day, may only need a little extra food as a treat now and again. So it’s a case of using your judgment. The main thing is don’t overfeed the tank whether it’s a shrimp only or a community tank.
Will Cherry Shrimp Eat My Aquarium Plants?
Even though Cherry Shrimp love to eat green stuff they rarely eat live aquarium plants. That’s not to say they won’t ever eat them if they’re hungry enough. Or maybe if a particular shrimp has taken a fancy to one of the plants in your aquarium.
But It’s not something they’re generally known for.
They will eat leaves that are decaying though. Especially if the leaf has fallen to the bottom of the tank.
Cherry Shrimp will also eat algae off the plants. Which can make it look like they’re eating the plant itself even though they’re just cleaning up for you.
So, in general, your aquarium plants should be safe from being eaten by your Cherry Shrimp.
Tip: If your Cherry Shrimp are too well fed with other foods they will eat far less algae, biofilm and dead plant matter. So if you want to encourage them to keep your aquarium clean be sparing with the rest of the food.
4 . Why Do Cherry Shrimp Moult?
Cherry Shrimp are invertebrates. Which means that they don’t have an internal skeleton like we do. The shrimp’s ‘skeleton’ is on the outside of its body and is called an exoskeleton. Which basically means it’s an outside, instead of an inside, skeleton. As the Cherry Shrimp grows it gets too big for its exoskeleton. The way it gets around this problem is to shed the one that’s now too small, and it grows a new better fitting one.
Cherry Shrimp moult on a regular basis while they grow into adulthood. Usually about every 4-6 weeks or so, until they reach their maximum size. After that the moulting happens less often. But the shrimp will continue to replace its exoskeleton throughout its life.
Once a Cherry Shrimp has moulted it’s new exoskeleton is soft. Which makes the shrimp feel more vulnerable from attack. So the shrimp will hide away for a couple of days or so until it’s new outer shell has hardened and it feels safe to venture out again.
So don’t worry too much if you can’t see some of your shrimp for a while after you’ve found moults in the aquarium. They will be back out and about when they’re ready to do so.
What Does A Cherry Shrimp Moult Look Like?
The main difference between a moult and a dead Cherry Shrimp is the colour. Moults are an opaque/ white colour depending on your tank lighting and look like an empty ‘shell’ (see photo above). A dead Cherry Shrimp looks pretty much the same as when it did when it was alive, although it may be paler in colour. With the exception that it doesn’t move and is often laying on it’s side/back.
The first time you see a moult from one of your Cherry Shrimp it can be quite unnerving. This is because the moult is an exact replica of the shrimp itself, antennae and all. So you’d be forgiven for thinking that one of your shrimp has died.
After your Cherry Shrimp have moulted a couple of times you’ll be able to tell the difference at a glance.
Should I Remove A Cherry Shrimp Moult From The Tank?
The thing about shrimp moults is that they are full of good stuff like minerals. And nature being what it is it doesn’t like to waste anything.
So you’re likely to find that the other tank inhabitants will nibble on the moult to get the benefit of this. Fish, shrimp and even snails are partial to snacking on a moult. It’s good for them and makes a tasty snack.
This means that you can leave a Cherry Shrimp moult in the tank for a while. Say a day or so. You might find that it’s all been eaten by then anyway. But if not, remove what’s left so that it doesn’t decay and spoil the tank water.
Tip: Cherry Shrimp, like most aquatic invertebrates, are sensitive to Copper. In fact, high levels of copper is deadly to them. So avoid any food or aquarium medications that contain a lot of copper. Always check the label to see if it’s safe for your shrimp before using.
5 . What Tank Water Conditions Do Cherry Shrimp Need?
Cherry Shrimp prefer aquarium water that’s a little on the hard side. The reason for this is that harder water contains more calcium than softer water. Calcium is important for the healthy growth, and regrowth, of their exoskeleton. Which they regularly replace over their entire lifespan.
You can measure the hardness of your water by using an aquarium water testing kit.
I’ve got the 6 in1 ‘dip-strip’ type testing kit (Amazon link) from the Tetra range. There are lots of other types of testing kits available to buy in store and online. But I chose this one because of it’s good reputation, and more importantly for me, because its easy to use.
Tip: If you use a dip-strip type of testing kit you can double it’s use by cutting the strips in half from top to bottom. They’re still as effective and by doubling their use you will save money. It’s one of the fishkeeping hacks I’ve picked up over time.
How Can I Increase The Hardness Of My Aquarium Water?
If you live in a soft water area there are ways that you can increase the hardness of your aquarium water.
Here’s a few things that fish/shrimp/snail keepers use to increase their tank water hardness
- Crushed Coral
- Cuttlebones
- Egg Shells
- Calcium Rich Rocks (eg Limestones)
- Liquid Aquatic Water Hardening Additives
As you can see there are different ways to increase the hardness of your aquarium water.
Tip: Before adding any type of Water Hardening Product to your tank get some expert advice from your Pet Store, Aquatic Dealer, or from a reliable online source. And don’t forget to take the needs of your Cherry Shrimp’s tankmates into account too.
Another way to make sure that your Cherry Shrimp have enough calcium to moult successfully is to provide the calcium through their diet.
Feeding them good quality shrimp foods, and adding extra calcium rich vegetables to the menu, can make all the difference to the shrimp’s moulting process.
Although diet won’t increase the hardness of your tank water, calcium rich veggies like broccoli, spinach and kale are good for your shrimp.
If you think that your water supply is the problem get some expert advice on how to improve its quality.
Water Changes And Cherry Shrimp
The most important thing to remember when it comes to water conditions in a Cherry Shrimp tank is stability. Like most shrimp they struggle to cope with sudden changes in water quality. So keeping things on an even keel is important, even when your Cherry Shrimp are part of a community tank.
You can keep the tank water stable by having an efficient filter, carrying out regular water changes and regular tank maintenance.
Regular tank maintenance also helps to keep the levels of Nitrites and Nitrates in check. Both of which, but particularly the Nitrites, can be deadly to shrimp (fish and snails) if they’re allowed to become too high.
When it comes to water changes it’s best not to overdo it. Water changes of between 10-25 % every 2-4 weeks are usually enough for most shrimp tanks. If you think there’s a problem caused by water quality test your water and do a water change if indicated. But remember that large water changes can drastically, and suddenly, alter the water parameters. So go steady with this. Cherry Shrimp, and other types of shrimp, don’t do well with a big disruption to water quality.
You do need to carry out partial water changes and general tank maintenance on a regular basis. But you also need to be careful not to upset the balance of your aquarium too much each time.
Stability in water conditions, and in the general tank conditions, are key to keeping Cherry Shrimp successfully.
6 . Do Cherry Shrimp Need A Filter?
Using a filter in a Cherry Shrimp tank helps to keep the water clean. It also oxygenates the water because as it moves the water around it breaks the surface allowing oxygen in. The filter water flow in a Cherry Shrimp tank is best kept at slow to moderate. Cherry Shrimp are small and don’t do well if they are constantly fighting the current.
There are many different types of tank filters on the market. But Sponge filters, in my opinion, are ideal for a shrimp tank. And also for fish/community tanks. Click the link to read my article ‘What Is An Aquarium Sponge filter?‘ for more information about this type of filtration.
Whatever type of filter you choose for the tank that your Cherry Shrimp live in you need to be mindful of the size of the filter intake. Shrimp love to explore and search out bits of food. So you need to make sure that they can’t crawl into the filter casing in search of a snack. Because, if they do, they’re likely to be killed by the impeller or any other moving parts.
For some types of aquarium filtration you can buy pre-filter sponges. These sponges prevent small shrimp and baby fish (fry) entering the filter mechanism. So it’s worth checking out your options before buying a filter for your tank.
7. Do Cherry Shrimp Need A Heater?
The temperature range for Cherry Shrimp is approx. 16-28 Degrees Celsius (60.8-82.4 Degrees Fahrenheit). Although they can tolerate temperatures a little lower and also a little higher than this. However, tank water temperature does affect their activity level, breeding and lifespan.
Cooler water slows down their activity level and breeding but it does help to prolong their lifespan. And Cherry Shrimp prefer the lower end of the temperature scale. Warmer water speeds everything up. So the warmer the water the faster they grow, breed and die.
And because Cherry Shrimp cope well in a wide range of temperatures they don’t usually need a heated tank.
But this isn’t always the case.
Here’s a few reasons why you might need to add a heater to your Cherry Shrimp tank
- Your Climate – If your home heating is off for most of the day due to work and other daily commitments, and you live in a cold climate, you may have to heat your Cherry Shrimp tank to at least 16 Degrees Celsius (60.8 Degrees Fahrenheit).
- Tank Housing – If you house your Cherry Shrimp Tank in a shed, outhouse, or other unheated building, you might have to install a tank heater during the colder months of the year.
- Tankmates – If your Cherry Shrimp live in a community tank with other kinds of shrimp, fish and/or snails you have to take their tankmates needs into account too. You’ll need to find a happy medium in temperature to keep everyone in your aquarium fit and healthy.
- Plants – Just like the Cherry Shrimp’s tankmates plants need to be taken into consideration when it comes to temperature. You may need a heater in the tank to keep up a temperature that suits the plants as well as all your other tank inhabitants.
So you may need a heater. But then again you may not. It’s a case of getting the balance right. And how you do that will depend on your own circumstances.
Tip: Cherry Shrimp have been known to climb out of the tank. While these Shrimp can survive out of water for a short while they won’t be able to get back into the tank. To avoid losing any of your shrimp this way it’s advisable to have a close fitting lid on your aquarium. Or you can opt for plenty of floating plants to create a natural barrier.
8. Do Cherry Shrimp Need A Tank Light?
Cherry Shrimp need periods of both light and dark. Which makes having an aquarium light important. By using a light in your tank you will be able to mimic the natural lighting effects of day and night. However, they don’t need a really bright light. And you will need to provide shaded areas in your tank during your lighting period. And there’s a couple of good reasons for this.
Firstly, providing darker areas in your aquarium, even during the day, allows your shrimp to retreat to a dimly lit spot. Having shaded places to hide, or rest in, helps to reduce stress in your shrimp.
Secondly, Cherry Shrimp really appreciate shady places after they have moulted and are feeling at their most vulnerable. Or are ready to mate. So you might not see a shrimp that’s just moulted for a while. But it’s important for them to have a little seclusion. Your shrimp will be back out in the tank with the others as soon as it feels that its outer shell is tough enough.
How To Create Shaded Areas In Your Cherry Shrimp Tank
Creating shaded areas in your Cherry Shrimp tank isn’t complicated. In fact there’s a couple of simple things you can do without any trouble at all.
Plants
By having a densely planted area in your aquarium you instantly create a darker space even when your tank light is on. And floating plants help to naturally reduce the amount of light that hits the water. Whether you go for live or artificial plants is entirely up to you. But either way, your Cherry Shrimp will be able to find a dimly lit place when they need to.
Tank Decorations/Layout
How you decorate your tank is a personal thing. You might not want artificial/fake tank decorations in your aquarium if you’re going for a more natural look. But there are artificial/fake aquarium-safe decorations that provide Cherry Shrimp with an area away from the light. And some of them can look quite natural.
You can use aquarium rocks/stones piled up to create a sheltered cave area for your shrimp. Or buy a ‘half-coconut’ dome that has a small opening at the base so that your shrimp can go inside when they want to. You can get real coconut shell ones or artificial ones that look good too. They’ll both do the same job as far as your Cherry Shrimp are concerned.
Most of my Cherry Shrimp live in a species only tank. This tank has a low light, live plants (some floating) and coconut hides. There’s also Cholla/Choya Wood (Amazon link) which the babies in particular like to hide in. And there’s a fine gravel substrate with a large pebble, leaf litter and some alder cones.
Some of my Cherry Shrimp live in a community tank which has live plants, an artificial plant, and also some tank decorations. Their favourite hiding places are the sunken boat and the tower ornament. And sometimes, depending on their mood, they use the space behind the filter casing. But, whichever one they choose, they have a dimly lit and secluded place to moult or rest in.
So, as you can see, you can create shaded areas in different ways.
A General Point In Favour Of Lighting Your Cherry Shrimp Tank
Having a tank light in your Cherry Shrimp tank makes it easier to check on how they are doing. And it also makes it easier to enjoy watching them as they explore the tank looking for food. After all, there’s no point in keeping an aquarium if you can’t see the life going on inside. And a tank light turns the aquarium into an attractive feature which is preferable to having a dull looking box in the corner of your room.
Tip: If your tank light is too bright you can use black electrical tape to reduce the brightness. Use the tape to cover up some of the lights so they are staggered. Or cover one section to create a dimly lit area on one side of the tank.
9 . Do Cherry Shrimp Need Live Plants?
Cherry Shrimp definitely benefit from having a planted tank. Live plants in particular are great for your shrimp. Plants provide shelter for resting and de-stressing in. And also spaces to hide in after moulting while their exoskeleton hardens. Live plants also naturally generate the growth of small aquatic organisms/biofilm and algae, that provide free sources of food for your Cherry Shrimp. And as an added bonus, live plants help to keep the water quality healthy by using up nutrients in the water column to grow.
Plants also provide grazing areas for your Cherry Shrimp. Whether it’s grazing for microorganisms, algae or leftover food, plants make life a little more interesting for your shrimp.
They make your tank look good too.
Here’s a few easy-care aquarium plants that you can use in a Cherry Shrimp tank
- Moss – e.g. Java, Subwassertang, Christmas and Marimo Moss Ball
- Java Fern
- Pearl Weed
- Anubias Nana Petite
- Hornwort
- Rotala Rotundifolia
- Water Wisteria
- Bucephalandra
- Floating Plants – e.g. Red Root Floaters, Duckweed, Dwarf Water Lettuce
There are lots of other plants that work well in a Cherry Shrimp tank too. Such as Cryptocorynes, Vallisneria and Dwarf Water Lilly.
Whatever aquarium plant you choose make sure that you know what care the plant will need from you before heading to the checkout.
Artificial/Fake Plants For A Cherry Shrimp Tank
If you prefer to use artificial/fake plants you will still be providing sheltered places for your Cherry Shrimp. And although you won’t get the water filtering benefits of live plants, you will still be providing surfaces for algae, beneficial bacteria and biofilm to grow on. Also artificial/fake plants can still look really effective and are easy on maintenance.
If you do opt for artificial/fake plants for your aquarium choose ones that are softer and without any sharp edges. That way you will reduce the risk of injury to your shrimp, and their tankmates, as they go about their daily business in the aquarium.
Tip: Cherry Shrimp love floating plants. Floating plants provide places to moult and hide in. They also make great areas for grazing and breeding in that are up and out of the way of the main tank.
10 . Fish/Snails/Shrimp – Tankmates For Cherry Shrimp
Because Cherry Shrimp are small, peaceful, and non-aggressive, they need tankmates that are like minded. And also ones that are not big enough to eat them either!
I’ll start off with some of the fish that will live peacefully with your Cherry Shrimp. Then I’ll move on to some of the snails that won’t bother your shrimp. And finally, I’ll give you some ideas for other types of shrimp that will be happy to share your Cherry Shrimp tank.
Here’s some of the fish that make good tankmates for Cherry Shrimp
Click the links to check out my articles that give more information about these potential tankmates.
- Platy Fish
- Small Rasboras
- Endlers
- Small Tetras
- White Cloud Mountain Minnows
- Cherry Barbs
- Fancy Guppies
- Dwarf Gourami
- Zebra Danios
- Pygmy/Dwarf Corydoras Catfish
- Otocinclus Catfish
There are other fish that will live quite happily with your Cherry Shrimp. So if you don’t fancy any of the fish on my list have a word with your Pet Store, or Aquatic Dealer, for some other suggestions.
Another important thing to bear in mind is that each fish keeper’s experience can be different. For example, some fish keepers say don’t put Cherry Shrimp with Mollies. Others say it works fine for them. And when it comes to Cherry Shrimp with Betta fish it’s a ‘yes/no’ opinion. So what works for one person might not go so well for you. But if you don’t try you’ll never know. Just get yourself some good advice first.
Note: Depending on when you’re reading this article I’ve likely to have added more articles/info about the other fish/snails/shrimp that are on the lists above and below. Plus articles about other easy-care aquarium inhabitants. So it’s worth searching the site for any that you’re interested in keeping.
Let’s move on to snail tankmates.
Here’s some of the snails that make good tankmates for Cherry Shrimp
Click the links to check out my articles that give more information about these potential tankmates.
- Nerite Snails (various including Horned ‘Bumble Bee’ Nerites)
- Mystery Snails
- Apple Snails
- Malaysian Trumpet Snails
- Rabbit Snails (aka Elephant Snails)
- Ramshorn Snails
- Bladder Snails
Snails and Cherry Shrimp go well together. They’re both considered to be useful members of a tank clean-up crew. And as long as you choose non-aggressive snails you’ll have yourself a great team of cleaners.
One snail that is generally considered better to avoid in a Cherry Shrimp tank is the Assassin Snail. Not only will it eat your shrimp it’s likely to eat any other smaller snails that live in your tank too.
Here’s some of the shrimp that make good tankmates for Cherry Shrimp
Click the link to read my in-depth article about Amano Shrimp.
- Amano Shrimp
- Wood Shrimp
- Ghost Shrimp
- Bamboo Shrimp
Cherry Shrimp are happy to share their home with other types of small, non-aggressive shrimp. So the ones on the list are considered to be good tankmates even though they are generally a little bigger than the Cherry Shrimp. It’s all about attitude and personality.
While it’s possible to keep Neocaridina shrimp such as Cherry Shrimp, and Caridina Shrimp such as Crystal Reds, in the same tank it can be difficult. The reason for this is that they both have differing needs when it comes to temperature and water parameters. So if you would like to keep both of these types of shrimp you’re probably better off housing them in separate tanks.
What about frogs and Cherry Shrimp?
African Dwarf Frogs (Hymenochirus) make good tankmates for Cherry Shrimp. These frogs are best kept as a pair as a minimum number. Even though they don’t need a really big tank they do need plenty of swim room and places to hide in. And like most Cherry Shrimp fish tankmates the African Dwarf Frog will eat baby shrimp. But they usually leave the larger and adult shrimp alone. If you would like to keep these frogs in your tank do some research about their needs before you buy them.
I couldn’t resist including the frogs. They’re something that I’m planning to keep in one of my tanks in the near future. Also I thought they were worth including because they’re different from the norm when it comes to tankmates. And they’re an interesting addition to a Cherry Shrimp or community tank too.
Tip: Cherry Shrimp prefer to live in groups of at least 6 or more. In fact it’s ‘the more the merrier’ with these shrimp because they like to live in large colonies of their own kind. So keep as many as your tank has room for (allowing for breeding) and you’ll find that they’ll do better that way.
11 . Is My Cherry Shrimp Male Or Female?
Telling the difference between male and female Cherry Shrimp is difficult when they are young. But as they approach full size and/or reach sexual maturity it becomes easier to tell. Adult female Cherry Shrimp are larger and fuller in the body than adult males (see section 2 above for average sizes) Females are also deeper in colour than the males as a general rule.
Sexually mature females also develop what is known as a saddle on their back just behind their head. It’s called a saddle because it looks very similar in shape to a saddle that you would put on a horse to ride it. The saddle contains unfertilized eggs ready for breeding. The saddle may or may not be visible depending on the colour of the Cherry Shrimp. But on my Red Cherry Shrimp the saddle is golden yellow and is easy to spot.
12 . How Do Cherry Shrimp Breed?
Like a lot of other shrimp the Cherry Shrimp’s breeding process usually starts after the female has moulted. This is because after moulting the female’s body is softer and more receptive to receiving a sperm package from a male Cherry Shrimp. After moulting the female hides herself away and releases pheromones into the water to attract the males. The males seek her out and the one that finds her first will mate with her.
Once the male has found the female he passes his sperm packet to the female. The female Cherry Shrimp then releases her eggs from her Saddle (ovaries) that sits behind her head in her back. The eggs are fertilized via their journey through the sperm packet. The fertilized eggs are then held in the females underbelly. She uses her Pleopods (swimmerets) to keep the fertilized eggs in place until they are ready to hatch.
While she is carrying the eggs the female Cherry Shrimp fans the eggs regularly with her pleopods to oxygenate and clean them.
Note : The term ‘berried‘ is used to describe a female shrimp that is carrying fertilized eggs. This term is used because she looks like she’s carrying a bunch of tiny berries under her tummy (see photo above). The eggs are generally golden in colour but they can also be white or have a green tint. And when the eggs are close to being released it’s often possible to see the eyes of the shrimplets inside the eggs.
Once the shrimplets are ready to be born the female finds a secluded place to release them. Because the shrimplets are born as they are released Cherry Shrimp are classed as livebearers rather than egg scatterers. Which means that the baby shrimp are born fully formed. There’s no larval stage.
Tip: Young female shrimp often only carry a few eggs at a time. And it’s not unusual for them to drop the eggs or release them too early resulting in the loss of the shrimplets. However, as the females mature and become more experienced you will have a higher rate of successful shrimplets.
How Many Babies Do Cherry Shrimp Have?
On average Cherry Shrimp produce between 20-30 babies at a time. The amount of shrimplets can depend on the age and health of the female. And also on the tank temperature, tank conditions and the amount and quality of the available food sources.
How Long Before Cherry Shrimp Babies Are Born/Hatched?
Female Cherry Shrimp carry the fertilized eggs for approximately 25-30 days. Although the ‘gestation’ period will vary depending on tank temperature, tank conditions and even the shrimp’s regular diet. Cooler temperatures make for a longer gestation time and warmer temperatures speed things up. It’s worth bearing in mind though that Cherry Shrimp don’t like their tank too warm. They naturally prefer cooler water (see section 6 above for more detail about tank temperature).
How Big Are Cherry Shrimp When They Are Born/Hatched?
Baby Cherry Shrimp (shrimplets) are approx. 1-1.5 mm long when they are born and released into the tank. Most Cherry Shrimp start off almost transparent and only develop their colour as they grow. There are exceptions to this, but for the most part they’re almost transparent. Their tiny size and lack of colour makes them extremely difficult to spot in the tank until they’ve grown a little.
How Often Do Cherry Shrimp Breed?
Cherry Shrimp will breed all year round in an aquarium setting. As long as they are happy with their living conditions they will continue to breed no matter what time of year it is. So you’re likely to see berried females on a regular basis followed by lots of baby shrimp exploring the tank looking for food.
What’s The Breeding Age For Cherry Shrimp?
Cherry Shrimp start breeding at around 3- 5 months old. However, in my experience, they don’t usually reach full adult size until they are nearer 6 months old. I’ve personally had female Red Cherry Shrimp producing healthy shrimplets even though they themselves are not at full adult size. In fact, they would probably still be classed as being at their juvenile stage. I guess they need to start reproducing early because these shrimp only have a short natural lifespan.