Cherry Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi
Family: Atyidae
Cherry shrimp are the gateway to the shrimp addiction. Once you see a colony grazing through your moss, you'll understand why people pay $50 for rare color morphs. They breed readily, eat algae, and add tons of life to planted tanks.
Water Parameters
Temperature
pH Level
Hardness (dGH)
Care Tips
Wait until your tank is cycled and stable—ammonia spikes kill shrimp fast. No copper medications ever (check your ich treatment labels!). They molt regularly; don't mistake empty shells for dead shrimp.
Feeding
They graze biofilm 24/7. I supplement with Shrimp King Complete and blanched spinach weekly. Calcium is crucial for molting—I add a cuttlebone piece to every shrimp tank.
Breeding
If you have males and females, you'll have babies. Period. Females carry eggs for about 30 days, then release fully-formed shrimplets. Population doubles every 2-3 months in good conditions.
📚 Sources: Care parameters based on SeriouslyFish, FishBase, and Aquarium Co-Op. Personal observations from the author's 5+ years of fishkeeping experience.