Scientific name
Neocaridina davidi (Red Cherry strain)
Category
Freshwater shrimp
Group
Dwarf freshwater shrimp
Environment
Freshwater
Origin
Domestic red colour strain of the East Asian species Neocaridina davidi
Care level
Easy to intermediate
Adult size
2.5–3 cm
Expected lifespan
1–2 years
Minimum housing
30 L or larger mature aquarium
Temperature
18–27 °C
pH
6.5–8.0
Hardness / minerals
6–20 dGH
Salinity
Freshwater
Lighting
Normal day/night cycle
Placement / swimming zone
Bottom, plants and hardscape

Identity and search names

Also searched as: cherry shrimp, Red cherry Neocaridina, Neocaridina heteropoda red, Neocaridina denticulata sinensis red

Domestic Red Cherry colour-line profile within Neocaridina davidi. The parent species is valid, but the red aquarium line is a selected trade form.

Environment and housing

Habitat setup: Use a mature planted aquarium with moss, leaf litter, stable minerals and sponge-protected filtration.

Social structure: Keep a breeding colony of at least 10

Activity or placement zone: Bottom, plants and hardscape

Temperament: Peaceful colony shrimp

Compatibility: Best juvenile survival occurs without fish; separate from other Neocaridina colour lines when colour pedigree matters.

Feeding and nutrition

Diet or nutrient needs: Biofilm, algae, leaf litter and measured complete shrimp foods

Schedule: Feed lightly three to five times weekly according to colony size and visible biofilm

Breeding and reproduction

Method: Direct freshwater development; females brood eggs until miniature shrimp hatch

Parental care: Female broods eggs; no care after hatching

Additional care considerations

group size
Keep a breeding colony of at least 10
swimming level
Bottom, plants and hardscape
feeding frequency
Feed lightly three to five times weekly according to colony size and visible biofilm
sex differences
Mature females are usually larger or deeper-bodied; reliable characters vary by species or strain and juveniles should not be sexed from colour alone.
spawning method
Direct freshwater development; females brood eggs until miniature shrimp hatch
parental care
Female broods eggs; no care after hatching
moulting support
Keep temperature and mineral supply stable, provide cover and leave shed exoskeletons for normal mineral recycling. Never pull a shrimp from a difficult moult.
copper sensitivity
Crustaceans can be harmed by copper and other invertebrate-toxic treatments. Use medication only when the product, dose and water chemistry are explicitly safe for the identified shrimp.
identity scope
Domestic Red Cherry colour-line profile within Neocaridina davidi. The parent species is valid, but the red aquarium line is a selected trade form.
adult size and space
Expected adult size or spread: 2.5–3 cm. Permanent housing: 30 L or larger mature aquarium. Use adult size, colony growth, feeding method and waste production rather than shop size when planning capacity.
social structure
Keep a breeding colony of at least 10
swimming zone
Primary occupied zone: Bottom, plants and hardscape. Keep that zone usable and protect intake openings from adults and juveniles.
feeding ecology
Biofilm, algae, leaf litter and measured complete shrimp foods
feeding plan
Feed lightly three to five times weekly according to colony size and visible biofilm
water stability
Maintain 18–27 °C, pH 6.5–8.0 and 6–20 dGH. Match temperature and conductivity slowly; stable oxygen and nitrogen-cycle control matter more than chasing one exact reading.
habitat structure
Use a mature planted aquarium with moss, leaf litter, stable minerals and sponge-protected filtration.
compatibility plan
Best juvenile survival occurs without fish; separate from other Neocaridina colour lines when colour pedigree matters.
breeding plan
Direct freshwater development; females brood eggs until miniature shrimp hatch
quarantine
Quarantine new shrimp in a mature separate aquarium with dedicated nets and siphons. Observe feeding, moulting, respiration, faeces, external parasites and unexplained deaths before mixing colonies.
welfare checks
Track feeding response, body condition, moulting success, respiration, egg retention, injuries and normal use of bottom, plants and hardscape. Investigate repeated failed moults or unexplained deaths before adding stock.
biosecurity and release
Never release shrimp, eggs, plants, substrate or aquarium water into drains or natural waterways. Australia tightly controls live-invertebrate imports; ordinary pet import is generally not available, so verify the exact commodity in BICON and comply with current state or territory movement, possession and disposal rules. Where white spot disease controls apply, follow current crustacean movement and disposal directions.
main risk
Mixing Red Cherry with other Neocaridina colour lines produces variable offspring and can obscure pedigree. Never release this adaptable species or aquarium water.

Welfare and risk

Main warning

Mixing Red Cherry with other Neocaridina colour lines produces variable offspring and can obscure pedigree. Never release this adaptable species or aquarium water.

Overfeeding, ammonia, copper exposure, abrupt conductivity change and fish predation are the main preventable losses.

Australian biosecurity and responsible ownership

Never release shrimp, eggs, plants, substrate or aquarium water into drains or natural waterways. Australia tightly controls live-invertebrate imports; ordinary pet import is generally not available, so verify the exact commodity in BICON and comply with current state or territory movement, possession and disposal rules. Where white spot disease controls apply, follow current crustacean movement and disposal directions.

Current status: Controlled live-invertebrate import and movement rules apply. Import eligibility never authorises release, and state or territory controls may be stricter.

Australian live-animal import guidance · BICON · White spot disease information

Sources

Source note

Domestic red colour strain of N. davidi; former names retained as search aliases. Sources were used as factual evidence only; AquaNexus text is independently written and no third-party text, images or datasets are reproduced.