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InvertebrateFreshwaterEasy

Cherry Shrimp

Neocaridina davidi

The Cherry Shrimp is the hardiest and most popular freshwater dwarf shrimp. It is incredibly easy to keep and breed, making it perfect for beginner aquarists.

Taxonomy

Class:Malacostraca

Order:Decapoda

Family:Atyidae

Genus:Neocaridina

Species:Neocaridina davidi

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Water Temperature

15 - 28 °C

pH Value

6.5 - 8

Water type

Freshwater

Invertebrate type

Freshwater shrimp

Adult size

3 cm

Minimum group

>= 10

6 - 15 dGH

3 - 10 dKH

TDS

150 - 350 ppm

Ecological role

Scavenger

Copper sensitivity

High

Species description

Geographical Origin and Habitat: Neocaridina davidi (formerly *Neocaridina heteropoda*) is native to Eastern China, Taiwan, and Korea. It inhabits small, slow-flowing streams, ponds, and rice paddies with dense aquatic vegetation, submerged tree roots, and decaying organic matter over muddy-sandy substrates.

Taxonomy: Belonging to the family Atyidae, this is a small freshwater dwarf shrimp reaching 2.5-3 cm in size. It has a robust, compact body shape. It possesses small, delicate claws equipped with sensory hairs designed to graze and collect fine organic food particles.

Social Behavior: Peaceful, active, and highly gregarious. They spend their time grazing on plants, substrate, and glass. They must be kept in groups of at least 10 individuals to feel secure; a larger colony size reduces stress and encourages active behavior during the day.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Wild specimens are brownish-green, but selective breeding has created many vibrant colors (Red Cherry, Yellow, Orange, Blue, Black). Females are larger, show more intense coloration, have a rounder abdominal profile, and display a visible yellow or green ovarian saddle on their backs.

Care, breeding and tankmates

Tank Setup: A tank of at least 15-20 liters is recommended. Decorate with driftwood, rocks, and plenty of mosses (like Java or Christmas moss) to provide shelter for shrimplets. A sponge filter or a filter intake covered with a fine sponge guard is mandatory.

Diet and Feeding: Omnivorous detritivores feeding on biofilm, micro-algae, decaying organic matter, and leaf litter. Supplement their diet with high-quality shrimp pellets, spirulina, blanched vegetables (spinach, zucchini), and catappa leaves. Do not overfeed.

Water Quality: Very hardy and tolerant of varying values: temperature 18-26°C, pH 6.5-8.0, GH 6-15, KH 3-8, and TDS 150-300 ppm. Keep nitrites and ammonia at zero. Copper-based medications and algaecides are highly toxic.

Compatibility and Tankmates: Best kept in species-only setups or with small, peaceful micro-fish (e.g. Otocinclus, Boraras, small guppies). Do not house with large, active, or predatory fish (such as angelfish, cichlids, or gouramis) that will eat them.

Aquarium Breeding: Extremely easy. Females carry 20-40 eggs under their abdomen for 20-25 days. Direct development occurs; young hatch as tiny fully formed shrimp (1-2 mm long) that immediately feed on biofilm. No larval stage.

Risks and Diseases: Molting issues (failed ecdysis) due to lack of minerals (low GH) or sudden parameter changes. Susceptible to external parasites like *Scutariella japonica* and bacterial infections under poor water hygiene. Highly sensitive to copper.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Neocaridina davidi (formerly *Neocaridina heteropoda*) is native to Eastern China, Taiwan, and Korea. It inhabits small, slow-flowing streams, ponds, and rice paddies with dense aquatic vegetation, submerged tree roots, and decaying organic matter over muddy-sandy substrates.

Origin

Selective breeding and cultivarsEast AsiaTropical oceans and reefs

Invertebrate profile

Diet: Omnivore
Ecological role: Scavenger
Life expectancy: 1-2 years
Jump risk: No
Shock sensitivity: Medium
Calcium and minerals: High
Molting: Regular
Reproduction: Oviparous
Compatibility & tankmates: Peaceful

Image gallery

Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.

Related species

Recommendations grouped by close relatives, companion choices, and similar care.

Variants and close relatives

Same atlas type, nearby scientific identity, genus, or family.

Red Cherry shrimp

Neocaridina davidi "Red"

Species description

Care, breeding and tankmates

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Origin

Invertebrate profile

Image gallery

Related species

Variants and close relatives

Red Cherry shrimp

Yellow Fire shrimp

White Pearl Shrimp

Blue Pearl shrimp

White Pearl / Snowball shrimp

Ninja Shrimp

Amano Shrimp

Orange Sunkist shrimp

Green babaulti shrimp

Red nose / Pinocchio shrimp

Vampire Shrimp

Malaya shrimp

Sri Lanka dwarf shrimp

Striped babaulti shrimp

Bamboo shrimp

Hawaiian Red Shrimp

Recommended companions

Azolla caroliniana

Azolla mexicana

Bacopa sp. "Japan"

Acorus gramineus 'Pusillus'

Anubias barteri var. nana 'Round Leaf'

Amblystegium riparium

Anubias barteri var. nana 'Golden Heart'

Anubias barteri var. nana 'Petite' ('Bonsai')

Bolbitis heteroclita

Ammannia sp. 'Bonsai'

Amblystegiaceae sp. "Manaus"

Anubias afzelii

Aegagropila linnaei

Anubias congensis

Anubias gigantea

Anubias lanceolata

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CPO Dwarf Orange Crayfish

Lanchester's Glass Shrimp

Orange dwarf crayfish (CPO)

Ghost Shrimp

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Ramshorn Snail

Montezuma dwarf crayfish

Ditch Shrimp

Swamp dwarf crayfish

Mystery Snail

Lake Inle shrimp

Bladder snail

Ear pond snail

Great pond snail

Mystery apple snail

Pagoda snail