Skip the complicated advice! Learn the simple, proven methods for keeping thriving cherry shrimp colonies with minimal effort. Perfect for busy aquarists who want results without the fuss.
Aquascape Oasis Team
Aquarium Specialists
Red Cherry Shrimp in Natural Habitat
Red Cherry Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi) are the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it aquarium inhabitants. Forget the overcomplicated advice you see everywhere - these shrimp thrive on neglect when you get the basics right. Here's the truth: they're nearly bulletproof once established.
20 gallons is the sweet spot. Yes, they CAN live in 5 gallons, but bigger tanks are more stable and forgiving. You'll do less work maintaining a larger tank than babying a small one.
Reality Check: Larger volume = less dramatic parameter swings = less maintenance.
Simple setup, maximum results
6.5 - 8.0
Your tap water is probably fine
They adapt to what you have
4 - 12 dGH
Most tap water works
Stop chasing "perfect" numbers
68-78°F
Room temperature works
Stability > exact temperature
0 ppm
This one actually matters
Wait for cycle to complete
0 ppm
Also important - cycle first!
Then you can get lazy
< 20 ppm
Lower is better, but relax
They're not that sensitive
Here's the thing: your tank feeds them. They don't need you as much as you think. In a established tank, they're constantly munching on:
Established tanks (6+ months)
Feed once a week, maybe twice
New tanks (0-6 months)
Every other day, tiny amounts
If they're breeding like crazy
You're already feeding enough
Happy shrimp = well-fed shrimp
Overfeeding kills more shrimp than underfeeding. Seriously. Your tank crashes, water quality goes bad, shrimp die. Then you think you need better equipment when you just needed to feed less. Trust the process.
🚺 Females:
🚹 Males:
Saddle Formation
Female develops visible eggs behind her head
Molting & Mating
Female molts, releases pheromones, male fertilizes eggs
Egg Carrying
Female carries 20-30 eggs for 21-30 days
Hatching
Tiny shrimplets emerge, fully independent
Multiple shrimp deaths, especially in new tanks
Healthy adults but no berried females or babies
Shrimp becoming pale or transparent
If you notice sudden deaths or stressed behavior, act quickly:
Test Water
Check ammonia, nitrite, pH immediately
Water Change
20% with temperature-matched water
Monitor
Watch behavior and retest in 12 hours
Explore the beauty and diversity of red cherry shrimp through various life stages, colors, and behaviors in their natural aquarium habitat.
Deep red color shows excellent genetics
Pregnant shrimp carrying bright eggs
Red cherry shrimp grazing on biofilm
Close-up of healthy adult specimen
Another gravid female with eggs
Premium quality breeding specimen
All images feature genuine Neocaridina davidi red cherry shrimp (not rilis, oranges, or other varieties). These photos showcase the true beauty of solid red cherry shrimp, including berried females, feeding behavior, and high-grade coloration examples.
Red Cherry Shrimp succeed when you stop trying to micromanage them. Set up a decent tank, let it cycle, add your shrimp, and then mostly leave them alone. They've been doing this for millions of years - they don't need your daily intervention.
Monthly water changes, occasional feeding, and watching them do their thing. That's it.
No expensive equipment, fancy substrates, or daily supplements. Simple and cheap wins.
Once established, they breed, clean, and maintain themselves. You just enjoy the show.
Our aquascaping experts specialize in creating perfect environments for freshwater shrimp. Let us design and install your dream shrimp setup!
Discover the perfect plants that provide shelter, food, and breeding spots for your cherry shrimp.
Learn about keeping Amano shrimp alongside your cherry shrimp for ultimate algae control.
Create stunning planted backgrounds that showcase your shrimp colony beautifully.
Learn about the ultimate algae-eating shrimp that pairs perfectly with Cherry Shrimp in planted tanks.
Read complete guide →Discover the top beginner-friendly plants that provide food and shelter for your Red Cherry Shrimp.
Learn about plants →Perfect water chemistry is crucial for shrimp health. Learn the exact parameters for thriving colonies.
Master parameters →Choose the right substrate for your shrimp tank to promote breeding and maintain water quality.
Choose substrate →Create stunning planted backgrounds that showcase your shrimp while providing natural habitat.
Learn Dutch style →Let our experts create the perfect shrimp-friendly planted aquarium for you with guaranteed results.
Get professional help →