Cherry shrimp
Neocaridina davidi
Bright red dwarf shrimp that graze all day and breed in a planted tank; tiny bioload, but fry are snacks for most fish.
Key facts
- Body length
- 1.6 in without fins
- Minimum tank
- 4 gallons
- Group
- 10+
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Care level
- 1 / 5
- Lifespan
- 2–3 years
- Diet
- Biofilm, shrimp pellets, blanched spinach
- Origin
- Taiwan (selectively bred colour form)
- Hardier than77%
- Bigger than21%
- Calmer than68%
Water: their range vs yours
Cherry shrimp tank mates
- Neon tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Harlequin rasboraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Fancy guppyGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Panda corydorasGets along in shared water.Good mates
- OtocinclusGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Amano shrimpGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Black neon tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Black widow tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Blood parrot cichlidGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Bristlenose plecoGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Bronze coryGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Cardinal tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- BettaBetta eats dwarf shrimp: Cherry shrimp (some individuals hunt them).Risky
- Tiger barbTiger barb eats dwarf shrimp: Cherry shrimp.Risky
- Clown loachClown loach eats dwarf shrimp: Cherry shrimp (PROP: в SF не упомянуто).Risky
- Fairy cichlidFairy cichlid (Brichardi) eats dwarf shrimp: Cherry shrimp (PROP).Risky
- KribensisShrimplets get eaten.Risky
- MultiesShrimplets get eaten.Risky
- AngelfishAngelfish can eat Cherry shrimp: prey body depth 0.8 cm ≤ mouth 2.3 cm.Avoid
- Blue dolphin cichlidBlue dolphin cichlid can eat Cherry shrimp: prey body depth 0.8 cm ≤ mouth 6.3 cm.Avoid
- Convict cichlidConvict cichlid can eat Cherry shrimp: prey body depth 0.8 cm ≤ mouth 3.8 cm.Avoid
- DemasoniDemasoni eats dwarf shrimp: Cherry shrimp (PROP: мбуна поедают мелких беспозвоночных).Avoid
- Firemouth cichlidFiremouth cichlid can eat Cherry shrimp: prey body depth 0.8 cm ≤ mouth 3.0 cm.Avoid
- Golden mbunaGolden mbuna eats dwarf shrimp: Cherry shrimp (PROP: мбуна поедают мелких беспозвоночных).Avoid
How we check
The numbers the tank model uses for cherry shrimp: water as ideal and tolerated ranges, bioload from adult mass, space, flow and how they act on other species.
- Standard length
- 4 cm (body)
- Adult mass
- 0.25 g
- Bioload at 25 °C
- 0.20 BU
- Min. water
- 10 L net
- Group
- 10+ (best 20)
- Swims in
- bottom, middle
- Flow
- low
- Body / fins
- invertebrate, normal fins
- Diet type
- detritivore
- Fin nipper
- none
- Sensitive to
- copper, nitrate
Sources: Aquarium Co-Op: Cherry Shrimp
Care notes
Cherry shrimp pick at biofilm on every surface and are happiest with moss and dense plants where shrimplets can hide.
Stable water matters more than exact numbers: avoid copper medications, keep GH around 6–8 and KH at 2 or more so they molt cleanly.
Questions
What size tank does a cherry shrimp need?
At least 4 gallons (10 litres of water after decor). Adults reach about 1.6 inches without fins.
How many cherry shrimp should be kept together?
Keep at least 10, ideally 20 or more: fewer feel exposed and hide or turn nippy.
What water do cherry shrimp need?
72–75 °F, pH 6.5–7.8 and 6–12 dGH. Cherry shrimp come from Taiwan (selectively bred colour form).
How long do cherry shrimp live?
2–3 years with good care.
What fish can live with cherry shrimp?
Good tank mates include Neon tetra, Harlequin rasbora, Fancy guppy, Panda corydoras and Otocinclus. Each is checked both ways for size, fin nipping, temperament, territory and shared water.