Cherry Shrimp Information

 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.

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.