Neocaridina profile
Red Cherry shrimp
Neocaridina davidi
The Red Cherry shrimp is a red color line of Neocaridina davidi and one of the best shrimp to start with responsibly. It is hardy enough for a well-cycled beginner aquarium, but still sensitive to ammonia, nitrite, copper and sudden changes. Care is the same as for other Neocaridina colors; the main difference is color selection and line stability.
Quick verdict
Suitable for: Beginners with a fully cycled, stable aquarium. Watch especially: stability over perfect values.
Quick care card
Use this card as a starting point. Always check whether your aquarium is stable enough for sensitive species.
18 - 27 °C
6.5 - 8
6 - 12 °dH
2 - 8 °dH
150 - 300 ppm
From 20 liters
Easy
Peaceful group shrimp that grazes throughout the day
Biofilm, algae, detritus and light supplemental shrimp food
Breeds readily in freshwater with direct development
Beginners with a fully cycled, stable aquarium
Important
Do not add these shrimp to a fresh or unstable aquarium. Most problems are caused by ammonia, nitrite, copper, water that is much colder than the tank, or rapid changes in pH, GH, KH and TDS. Do not mix different Neocaridina color lines if you want to preserve color-stable offspring.
Care in practice
These are the points that most often make the difference between survival and a stable colony.
A safe practical range is 18-27 degrees Celsius, pH 6.5-8.0, GH 6-12, KH 2-8 and TDS roughly 150-300 ppm. For active breeding, stable middle values usually work better than chasing extremes: around 22-24 degrees, neutral to slightly alkaline water and enough GH/KH for healthy molts. Test especially when you see molting problems, losses after water changes or declining breeding activity.
Use a well-cycled aquarium from 20 liters; 30 to 40 liters is easier to keep stable for a growing colony. Inert substrate, a sponge filter or protected intake, moss, fine plants, leaves and mature biofilm make the tank safer for adults and shrimplets. Dark substrate and plenty of cover reduce stress and make the color stand out more.
These shrimp graze all day on biofilm, algae, detritus and microorganisms. Add small amounts of quality shrimp food, leaf litter or blanched vegetables and remove leftovers if they remain. Overfeeding is more dangerous than skipping a day, because rotting food can quickly raise ammonia, nitrite and bacterial load.
Keep them in a group, preferably at least 10 to 20 animals, so the colony has enough males and females. They are peaceful, visible and active when the aquarium is calm. Sudden hiding often points to stress, predators, unstable water values or a recent disturbance.
A species-only tank is safest for maximum breeding. Small calm fish and snails can often live with adult shrimp, but almost all fish will eat shrimplets if they get the chance. Do not combine this color line with other Neocaridina colors if color purity matters, because offspring can drift back toward wild-type colors over generations.
Red Cherry shrimp breed fully in freshwater. Females carry eggs under the abdomen for about 3 to 4 weeks, and the young hatch as tiny fully formed shrimp. No brackish-water stage is needed. A mature aquarium with biofilm, moss, fine food for shrimplets and a protected filter intake gives the best survival. Avoid large cleanups, hungry fish and sudden water changes while the colony is breeding.
Common mistakes are adding shrimp to an immature tank, correcting water values too quickly, using replacement water that is much colder than the aquarium, letting food rot, using medication or fertilizer containing copper, leaving filter intakes unprotected and mixing different Neocaridina color lines while expecting color-stable offspring.
Background and identification
Extra context helps you identify, compare and keep the species safely.
Neocaridina davidi is a freshwater shrimp from East and Southeast Asia, with sources commonly mentioning Taiwan and a broader region including China, Korea and Vietnam. Aquarium color morphs are selectively bred lines rather than separate wild species. In natural and feral populations, Neocaridina davidi grazes on biofilm, algae, detritus and small organisms on surfaces.
Red Cherry shrimp are red to partly translucent red. Females are usually larger, rounder and more intensely colored than males, and adults reach about 3 to 4 cm. Color depends on genetics, stress, age, food, substrate and selection. Trade names such as Sakura, Fire Red and Painted Fire Red are often used for higher or different red grades.
Red, blue, yellow, orange, green, black, chocolate and Rili shrimp are usually color lines of Neocaridina davidi. Their care is broadly the same, but color lines should be kept separate if you want predictable offspring. Crosses between colors are biologically harmless, but they often produce wild-type brown or gray young after a few generations.
Full species profile
The Red Cherry shrimp is a red color line of Neocaridina davidi. It is not a separate species with unique care, but a selectively bred color form of the same species behind many blue, yellow, orange and Rili lines. That is exactly why it is such a good first dwarf shrimp, as long as the aquarium is fully cycled and water values remain stable.
Who is the Red Cherry shrimp for?
Red Cherry shrimp suit beginners who are willing to work patiently: let the tank mature first, acclimate slowly and avoid constantly adjusting pH or TDS. They are more forgiving than many Caridina shrimp, but not indestructible. Ammonia, nitrite, copper, temperature shock and sudden large water changes remain risky.
Water parameters and stability
A safe practical range is 18-27 degrees Celsius, pH 6.5-8.0, GH 6-12, KH 2-8 and TDS roughly 150-300 ppm. For breeding and strong molts, a stable middle range is often better than the extremes: around 22-24 degrees, neutral to slightly alkaline water and enough minerals for healthy shell growth.
Stability is more important than a perfect number. A colony that has run for months at pH 7.4 is safer than a tank that is adjusted every week to reach pH 7.0.
Aquarium setup
Start with at least 20 liters, but 30 to 40 liters gives more stability and room for a growing colony. Use inert substrate, a sponge filter or protected intake, plenty of moss, fine plants, leaves and surfaces for biofilm. Dark substrate often makes the red color stronger and gives the animals more cover.
Feeding
Red Cherry shrimp mainly eat biofilm, algae, detritus and small food particles. Supplement lightly with shrimp food, leaves and occasional blanched vegetables. Feed too little rather than too much: food that remains in the tank can quickly damage water quality.
Behavior and tank mates
These shrimp are peaceful group animals. Start with 10 to 20 shrimp so the chance of a healthy mix of males and females is high. Calm snails and small peaceful fish may work, but many fish eat shrimplets. For maximum breeding, a shrimp-only tank is safest.
Breeding
Red Cherry shrimp breed fully in freshwater. Females carry eggs under the abdomen and the young hatch as miniature versions of the adults. They do not need a brackish-water stage. A mature tank with biofilm, moss and a protected filter intake matters more for shrimplets than extra feeding.
Color and selection
The red color differs by line and by individual. Females are usually larger and redder than males. Trade names such as Sakura, Fire Red and Painted Fire Red usually refer to color coverage or selective grade, not different care. Do not mix Red Cherry with other Neocaridina colors if you want to preserve red offspring; crosses often drift back toward wild-type colors over time.
Common mistakes
- Adding shrimp before the aquarium is fully cycled.
- Chasing water values with fast corrections.
- Changing water with replacement water that is much colder than the tank.
- Overfeeding until leftovers rot.
- Using medication or plant fertilizer without checking for copper.
- Mixing different Neocaridina colors and still expecting color-stable red young.
Frequently asked questions
Short answers to common questions about Red Cherry shrimp.
Sources and review
Last reviewed: June 12, 2026. Different values are used in the hobby; choose stability over chasing numbers.
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy: Neocaridina davidi
Geaccepteerde soortnaam, classificatie en synoniemen.
- USGS NAS: Neocaridina davidi species profile
Synoniemen, grootte, herkomst en status als aquariumsoort met verwilderde populaties.
- Aquarium Co-Op: Cherry Shrimp Care Guide
Temperatuur, pH, GH, KH, inrichting en tankgenoten in de hobbypraktijk.
- Superior Shrimp & Aquatics: Neocaridina Environment Guide
Acceptabele en optimale ranges voor Neocaridina, inclusief TDS en stabiliteitsadvies.
- The Shrimp Farm: Neocaridina Shrimp Care
Praktijkwaarden voor pH, GH, KH, substraat, planten, filter en kweek.
- UF/IFAS Featured Creatures: Cherry Shrimp
Biologie, kleurvormen, voeding, directe ontwikkeling en grootte.
- The Shrimp Farm: Caring for Red Cherry Shrimp
Praktijkadvies over stabiliteit, filter, voeding, tankgenoten en kruising.
- Aquarium Co-Op: Cherry Shrimp Care Guide
Praktijkadvies voor rijpe aquaria, voeding, groepsstart en combineren met vissen.