Cherry Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi
Also known as: Red cherry shrimp, RCS, Neocaridina
Quick Facts
- Adult size: 3 cm (1.25 inches)
- Minimum tank size: 19 litres (5 gallons)
- Lifespan: 1–2 years
- Temperament: peaceful
- Swimming level: bottom-and-middle
- Diet: omnivore
- Minimum group size: 10
- Difficulty: beginner
Water Parameters
- Temperature: 18–26°C
- pH: 6.5–7.5
- Hardness (GH): 125–250 ppm (7–14 dGH)
Values above are general hardness (GH). For carbonate hardness (KH), the buffer that keeps pH stable, see the water parameters guide.
Care Summary
A small, peaceful freshwater dwarf shrimp and one of the easiest invertebrates to keep. Comes in a wide range of selectively bred colour grades from pale pink ('cherry') to deep red ('painted fire red'). Adults regularly moult to grow; the discarded shell looks like a dead shrimp on the substrate and is normal, do not remove. Reproduces readily without intervention in stable, planted tanks; a starting colony of 10 will typically grow to dozens within a few months. Highly sensitive to copper (avoid copper-based medications and old brass plumbing fittings) and to ammonia/nitrite spikes; never add them to an uncycled tank. Unlike the fussier Caridina shrimp, cherries (Neocaridina) are happy in moderately hard water, and a little carbonate hardness (KH) and GH actually helps them moult cleanly, so do not aim for near-zero hardness.
Tankmates
Adult cherry shrimp are too small to defend themselves against most fish; even species marketed as 'shrimp safe' will pick off baby shrimp and weakened adults. For a thriving breeding colony, keep them in a shrimp-only tank or with very small, peaceful species like otocinclus and ember tetras. Bettas vary individually: some ignore shrimp entirely, others hunt them relentlessly. Dense planting with mosses (Java moss, Christmas moss) provides essential cover for babies and moulting adults.
Compatible with
Avoid keeping with
- Betta
- Angelfish
- Guppy Fry Predators
- Large Cichlids
- Loaches
- Gourami
- Kuhli Loach
- Dwarf Chain Loach
- Assassin Snail
- Tiger Barb
- Electric Yellow Cichlid
- Bumblebee Goby
Common Problems
- copper poisoning from medications or plumbing
- moulting failure from inadequate calcium or iodine
- predation by tankmates
- colony collapse from ammonia spikes
- loss of colour intensity through hybridisation if mixed with wild-type Neocaridina
Sources: seriouslyfish.com, fishbase.org · Last updated: 2026-06-18