Keeping Cherry Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi)
Setting up a Neocaridina davidi (Cherry shrimp) tank
Neocaridina, or Cherry shrimp are fascinating and beautiful little crustaceans which are easy to keep and breed.
About Neocaridina davidi.
Neocaridina davidi is a species of freshwater shrimp which originates from Taiwan and China. They can be found in a variety of natural habitats such as flowing streams and ponds. The beauty of these charming little shrimps is that they can be found in a myriad of different colours, from the classic red cherry, to blue, to yellow to green and even jet black. These colour morphs come from years of careful breeding by shrimp keeping hobbyists. To keep the shrimp reproducing the same strong colouration it is advised to not mix colours. Different coloured shrimp will happily live and breed together but their offspring can often be clear or brown in colour.
Neocaridina can thrive in a wide range of water parameters from slightly soft, acidic waters to hard, alkaline conditions. I have found they show their best colours and reproduce more prolifically in harder waters. Cherry shrimp can also be kept in temperatures ranging from 16°C – 27°C, meaning that in a warm house an aquarium heater isn’t always necessary. In warmer temperatures breeding will be more consistant.
As with most aquatic pets, it is important to give your shrimp an appropriate and varied diet. The Shrimp King range of foods offers the best diet, with foods targeted to bring the best out of your shrimp. The addition of botanicals such as Catappa leaves, Khaya leaves and other pods and leaves will also provide the perfect grazing ground for shrimps.
Tank Setup
Being such tiny creatures with a low bio-load, cherry shrimp do not need a large tank. 20 litres or above is perfectly adequate. But remember, the smaller the tank the higher probability of fluctuations in water parameters, something to bear in mind if the tank is situated in a room where temperatures can rise and fall.
Cherry shrimp can be kept in unfiltered tanks as long as there is sufficient healthy plant growth to deal with any biological waste. A filter is recommended, however make sure it is shrimp safe. Tiny shrimp can easily be sucked inside a filter. The Dennerle corner filter is a small and discrete filter which is shrimp safe. Also consider air powered sponge filters which shrimp will love to graze upon.
Neocaridina shrimp appreciate lots of plant growth, so a good soil substrate suits them perfectly. Adding plenty of aquatic moss will provide the adults and shrimplets with a safe haven in which to hide and forage for food. Always ensure the plants used have not had any chemical treatment such as pesticides. If in any doubt use only tissue culture plants such as Tropica’s 1.2.Grow range.
Tank mates
A good rule to stick to with any aquarium inhabitant is if it fits in their mouth, they will likely eat it. This is very applicable to shrimp as a lot of fishes will incorporate small crustaceans as part of their natural diet. If you don’t want to risk any predation then it would be best to keep shrimp in a species only tank, or add some snails such as Nerite snails. However, if you want to add some fish, look at stocking micro rasboras such as Boraras maculatus or Boraras brigittae.
It is possible to keep a flourishing colony of Cherry shrimp in a heavily planted community tank with fish such as small tetras and rasbora, but lots of dense vegetation must be provided.
How to aquascape a shrimp tank.
Cherry shrimp won’t be too fussed about the layout of the tank. As long as they have some good planted areas in which to hide and feed they will be happy. A colony of brightly coloured shrimp peacefully grazing on a pristine green lawn is a wonderful sight.
Useful links
