Cherry shrimp care guide

Scientific group

Neocaridina davidi domestic colour forms

Adult size

Usually around 2–3 cm

Diet

Biofilm grazer and omnivorous scavenger

Main need

Stable, mature aquarium

Difficulty

Beginner

Start with a mature environment

Cherry shrimp do best when surfaces carry biofilm and the aquarium has stable microbial life. A tank can be chemically cycled yet still be too sterile to feed a new colony well. Add leaf litter or safe grazing surfaces gradually and observe water quality.

Prioritise consistency over chasing a perfect number

Know the source water, hardness and temperature. Large swings during water changes are a common avoidable stress. Match temperature and mineral content closely, especially in small shrimp tanks.

Choose tankmates honestly

Many fish eat shrimplets and some will attack adults. Dense plants increase survival but do not make a predator safe. A shrimp colony intended for maximum breeding is best kept without fish that hunt small invertebrates.

Feed lightly and judge the surfaces

A mature colony grazes continuously. Supplement with small portions and remove food that remains. Overfeeding creates bacterial blooms, planaria risks and unstable water faster than it creates growth.

Common mistakes

• Adding shrimp to a freshly cycled, sterile tank.
• Making large changes in temperature or mineral content.
• Assuming every “community fish” is shrimplet-safe.
• Using medications or plant products without checking invertebrate safety.
• Feeding because the dish is empty rather than assessing colony condition.