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Introduction to Cherry Shrimp:
Neocaridina davidi, commonly known as Cherry Shrimp, originates from China and Taiwan. In their natural habitat, these shrimp typically feature a translucent body with mottled brown speckles for camouflage. However, through selective breeding, the market now offers an array of colour morphs including:
- Red (Red Cherry Shrimp or RCS)
- The most iconic and widespread, hence the common name.
- Orange, Yellow, Green Jade, Blue Dream, Blue Velvet, Chocolate, Black Rose, and Rili (striped). Colour Varieties:
- Grading: Some sellers grade their Red Cherry Shrimp with labels like Sakura Red, Fire Red, Painted Fire Red, and Bloody Mary. These grades reflect color intensity, but the perception of quality can vary greatly among enthusiasts. The most reliable method to select vibrant shrimp is by personally inspecting them at local fish stores or from breeders. Gender Identification:
- Females:
- Larger, reaching up to 1.5 inches (4 cm).
- Display more vivid colours.
- Often show a yellow saddle-like mark on their back, which indicates the presence of unfertilized eggs in the ovaries. When carrying fertilized eggs, the female is said to be "berried," with eggs visible under their swimmerets.
- Males: - Smaller, typically 1 to 1.25 inches (2.5–3 cm).
- Have a narrower tail and are generally more translucent or less brightly coloured than females. - Juveniles: Initially, young shrimp are difficult to sex because they are slender and less colourful, resembling males. Cherry Shrimp are not just a spectacle due to their colours; they are also appreciated for their hardiness, ease of care, and their role as part of the clean-up crew in aquariums. Understanding these characteristics can enhance the experience of keeping and breeding these delightful creatures.
Choosing the Right Tank:
- Size:
While cherry shrimp can thrive in small setups, a 10-gallon tank or larger is ideal for establishing a robust breeding colony xshrimp recommends bigger is better, bigger water bodies are easier to mange temperature and water parameters are always more stable in larger aquariums vs smaller ones.
- Maturity:
Preferably use a tank that has been cycled for several weeks, rich in beneficial microfauna and detritus for foraging.
Filtration:
- xshrimp recommend you always Opt for a sponge filter they are cheap and the safest option or cover the intake of other filters with a pre-filter sponge to protect juvenile shrimp from being sucked in.
Water Parameters for Healthy Moulting:
- pH: 6.5 - 8.5
- GH (General Hardness): At least 6° (110 ppm)
- KH (Carbonate Hardness): At least 2° (40 ppm)
- If water is too soft, supplement with:
- Crushed coral for KH or calcium carbonate powder cuttle fish bone or even dried and crushed egg shell
- Calcium-rich foods** support healthy moulting.
Environment for Moulting:
xshrimp have developed our own dry goods food range high in protein and calcium we always send a pack of food out with any live shrimp orders and extra packs are available in our online store
- After moulting, shrimp are vulnerable with soft exoskeletons. Provide:
- Plenty of hiding places like plants, shrimp caves, and other shelters.
- Live plants, especially dense varieties like moss, which also foster algae and biofilm for shrimp to eat.
xshrimp also produce our own live plants that are shrimp safe be carful buying live plants treated with pesticides or chemicals guppy grass is a firm favourite as is hornwort and moss
Identifying Moulting:
- Moult: Clear and translucent with a split down the back.
- Dead Shrimp: Opaque in appearance.
Heater Requirements:
- Temperature Range: 60–82°F (16–28°C)
- Optimal Breeding: 72–76°F (22–24°C).
A heater might be necessary in cooler rooms to enhance breeding conditions.
Colony Establishment:
- Minimum Number: At least 10 shrimp to ensure a mix of males and females. Avoid only selecting the largest, brightest shrimp to prevent missing out on males or getting older females.
If you buy your shrimp from xshrimp we will always do our best to supply a mixture of sexes and sizes to get you off to the best possible start.
Tank Mates:
- Breeding Focus:
For optimal breeding, maintain a species-only tank. -
With Other Species:
If breeding isn't a primary concern, cherry shrimp can coexist with:
- Other dwarf shrimp
- Snails xshrimp have a great selection of aquatic snails available see our online store or dedicated snail page
- dwarf guppy fish or endlers
- Medaka Ricefish xshrimp specialize in medaka ricefish and we can even supply medaka eggs that will hatch out in your shrimp tank check out our online store or dedicated medaka information page.
- Other nano fish
By setting up your tank with these considerations in mind, you'll create a thriving environment where your cherry shrimp can not only survive but flourish and breed.
Dietary Overview:
Cherry shrimp are detritivores, meaning their primary function in the aquarium is to clean up by feeding on:
- Algae
- Decaying plant and animal matter
- Biofilm - Other organic detritus
Supplemental Feeding:
- Community Fish Food:
They will consume general fish food, but it's crucial to provide:
- Shrimp-Specific Foods:
Products like
xshrimp specially formulated and made inhouse from lots of trial and error we have come up with shrimp foods that are perfect for a thriving shrimp colony and they speak for themselves when you see how many quality shrimp we produce time and time again xshrimp shrimp foods are rich in calcium and minerals, essential for moulting.
other considerations
- Blanched Vegetables:
Foods like cucumber or green beans provide a stable source of nutrition over time. we often supplement with cucumber and green beans.
Nutritional Balance:
- Despite their reputation for consuming mostly plant-based foods, cherry shrimp require:
- Adequate Protein:
Essential for juvenile growth and female egg production.
Caring for Juveniles:
- New-born shrimp are less mobile and can struggle to compete for food:
- Powdered Foods:
Offer finely ground options like xshrimp medaka food, and Bacter AE . These foods drift in the water, making them accessible to the tiny shrimp
Natural Food Sources:
- Botanicals:
Adding items like stinging nettle leaves and cholla wood not only enriches the environment but also:
- Biofilm Development:
As they decompose, they cultivate a biofilm, which is a nutritious food source for all shrimp sizes.
Further Feeding Insights:
-look at our online store This will give you comprehensive options to ensure your cherry shrimp are well-nourished and thriving. xshrimp are always developing new lines to enhance our product lines and make shrimp keeping easy for everyone.
Its important to have males and females lets look at the differences again.
Physical Characteristics:
- Size and Shape:
- Females:
- Slightly larger and have a rounder, more robust body shape.
- Males:
- Typically more slender, giving them a leaner appearance.
- Coloration:
- Females:
- Tend to be more opaque or solid in colour, with more vivid hues.
- In the case of Red Cherry Shrimp, females exhibit a deeper, more intense red.
- Males:
- Generally more translucent; their colour is often less intense or vibrant.
- For Red Cherry Shrimp, males might appear with less red, showing more translucency.
These distinctions become more pronounced as the shrimp mature. While these traits help in identifying gender, juveniles might not display these differences as clearly until they grow older.
Breeding Mechanics:
- Ease of Breeding:
Cherry shrimp are prolific breeders. Each female can carry 20-30 eggs during a breeding cycle, and adults generally leave their offspring alone.
- Sexual Availability:
After moulting, a female releases pheromones to attract males. After mating, she becomes "berried," carrying the eggs under her swimmerets for around a month, depending on temperature. Optimal Breeding Environment:
- Tank Setup:
Ensure you have both male and female shrimp.
- Diet:
Provide a nutritious diet to enhance fertility and egg production.
- Predator Management:
Remove any tank inhabitants that might prey on the shrimplets.
Post-Hatching Care
- Newborn Shrimplets:
Tiny replicas of adults, they are initially around 1/16 inch (2 mm) and less vibrant:
- Feeding:
Use powdered foods and provide habitats like catappa leaves which encourage biofilm growth, ideal for tiny shrimp.
Population Management:
- Overpopulation:
If breeding slows, it might indicate the tank has reached its capacity:
- Increase Food or Tank Size:
Either increase the amount of food or consider a larger tank.
- Rehoming:
Sell or give away some shrimp to manage numbers. Local fish stores can be good outlets. Enhancing Colour:
- Selective Breeding:
To produce brighter red (or other colours) shrimp:
- Culling:
Regularly remove less colourful shrimp to prevent them from breeding, ensuring only the most vibrant shrimp reproduce. This selective breeding helps maintain or improve the quality of your colony. By following these guidelines, you can not only encourage breeding but also enhance the aesthetic quality of your cherry shrimp, making your colony both visually appealing and potentially profitable. Remember, consistent selection for desirable traits is key in maintaining a high-grade population.
Introducing xShrimp
– Your Premier Source for Cherry Shrimp in the UK At xShrimp, we pride ourselves on producing high-quality live Neocaridina cherry shrimp, right here in the UK. Our online store offers:
- Quality Assurance: Only the finest, healthiest cherry shrimp. - Convenient Shopping: Easy online ordering with free shipping to UK mainland.
- Reliable Delivery: Tracking provided through Royal Mail for your peace of mind.
- Exceptional Support: Our team is always available to assist with any queries or concerns.
Explore our selection and enhance your aquatic environment with vibrant, thriving cherry shrimp from xShrimp.
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