Care guide
Caring for cherry shrimp
- Adult size
- About 2.5 cm
- Water temperature
- 18–28 °C
- pH
- 6.5–8
- Smallest tank
- 20 litres
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Care level
- Easy
Cherry shrimp (Neocaridina) are hardy, colourful and breed readily in a stable, planted tank. They need clean, mature water more than anything else.
Their tank
A cycled tank of 20 litres or more with plants and moss gives them places to graze and hide. Use a sponge filter or cover the filter intake so shrimp and babies aren't pulled in.
They do well at about 18 to 28 °C and a pH of about 6.5 to 8. Stability matters more than any exact number.
Water and copper
Copper is deadly to shrimp. Check that fertilisers, plant treatments and medications are shrimp-safe before adding them.
Change small amounts of water often rather than large amounts at once, and match the temperature and hardness.
Feeding and breeding
They graze all day. Feed a small amount of shrimp food or blanched vegetables a few times a week and remove what isn't eaten within a few hours.
Females carry eggs under their tails for about three to four weeks, and the young look like tiny adults. A colony grows on its own in a peaceful tank without larger fish.
Tankmates
Most fish will eat baby shrimp, and larger fish eat adults. Small, peaceful species or a shrimp-only tank work best.
Further reading
General information to help you prepare, not veterinary advice. Every animal is different: ask an experienced vet about yours. Reviewed by PerfectPal on October 13, 2026.