Cherry shrimp (Neocaridina davidi) are not only beautiful and active but are also hardy additions to freshwater aquariums, making them ideal for beginners and advanced aquarists alike. Known for their vibrant colors and algae-cleaning abilities, cherry shrimp are a rewarding species to keep. However, ensuring they thrive requires attention to detail in terms of water conditions, diet, tank mates, and breeding. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive deep into creating the ideal environment for your cherry shrimp to thrive.
.
1. Optimal Tank Setup for Cherry Shrimp
The right tank setup is critical for cherry shrimp health and breeding success.
Tank Size and Structure:
• Minimum Size: For a small colony, a 10-gallon tank is recommended. A larger tank (20 gallons or more) is better for growing a large colony or mixed-species tank.
• Substrate: Fine-grain gravel or sand is ideal as shrimp love to forage in the substrate. A darker substrate will enhance their bright colors.
• Decorations and Hiding Spots: Add driftwood, cholla wood, and aquarium-safe caves. These not only provide shrimp with hiding spots (reducing stress) but also promote biofilm growth—a natural food source for them.
• Plants: Use live plants like java moss, anubias, and subwassertang. These plants offer both aesthetic appeal and functional benefits—shrimp graze on biofilm that grows on plant surfaces, and dense foliage provides hiding spots for baby shrimp (shrimplets).
• Water Conditioners: Use a high-quality water conditioner to remove chlorine, chloramine, and heavy metals from tap water, as shrimp are sensitive to these.
Water Parameters:
Water quality is crucial for shrimp survival. Stable parameters are far more important than hitting exact numbers.
• pH: Keep it between 6.5 and 8.0. Neutral to slightly alkaline water is ideal.
• Temperature: Maintain a range between 20-25°C (68-78°F). Use a reliable heater and thermometer, as fluctuations in temperature can cause molting problems.
• Hardness: Aim for a General Hardness (GH) of 6-8 dGH and a Carbonate Hardness (KH) of 2-4 dKH. GH is essential for proper molting, and KH helps buffer the water, preventing dangerous pH swings.
• TDS (Total Dissolved Solids): This should range from 150-250 ppm. TDS measures the total concentration of dissolved substances, and shrimp thrive in well-balanced water.
Filtration:
• Sponge Filters: These are the best choice for shrimp tanks as they provide gentle filtration without posing a risk of sucking up small shrimplets. Sponge filters also host beneficial bacteria which aid in biological filtration.
• Additional Filtration: Consider adding an air stone to ensure proper oxygenation of the water.
Lighting:
• Moderate lighting is best. Intense lighting can encourage excessive algae growth, while too dim lighting may stunt plant growth. Aim for 8-10 hours of light per day using an aquarium timer.
Cycling the Tank:
Never add shrimp to an uncycled tank! The nitrogen cycle, which converts ammonia to nitrite and then nitrate, must be fully established before adding any shrimp. This can take anywhere from 4 to 8 weeks. Use ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate test kits to ensure the cycle is complete before introducing shrimp.
2. Diet & Feeding
A balanced and varied diet is key to the health and coloration of cherry shrimp.
Natural Diet:
• Biofilm: This is the shrimp’s primary food source, consisting of naturally occurring algae, bacteria, and microorganisms. By ensuring the tank has a mature biofilm layer, you reduce the need for excessive supplemental feeding.
• Algae: Cherry shrimp love grazing on soft algae that naturally grows in the tank.
Supplemental Feeding:
In addition to biofilm, shrimp need supplemental food to thrive.
• Blanched Vegetables: Zucchini, spinach, and cucumber are excellent choices. Always blanch the veggies (boil briefly, then cool) to soften them.
• Shrimp-Specific Pellets: Use high-quality pellets designed for shrimp. These are usually packed with the right nutrients to enhance their growth and coloration.
• Occasional Protein: Feed shrimp protein-rich foods like spirulina tablets or bloodworms once or twice a week to support their growth and reproduction.
Feeding Schedule:
• Feed small amounts once every other day. It’s important not to overfeed, as uneaten food can decompose and lead to ammonia spikes, harming shrimp.
3. Breeding Cherry Shrimp
Cherry shrimp are prolific breeders if the tank conditions are ideal. Here’s how to encourage breeding and ensure high survival rates for the shrimplets.
Berried Females:
• Female cherry shrimp carry fertilized eggs under their abdomen, visible as a cluster of green or yellow eggs.
• Gestation Period: It takes around 2-4 weeks for the eggs to hatch, depending on water temperature.
Breeding Tips:
• Temperature: Warmer water (around 23-25°C) can accelerate breeding, but don’t exceed 26°C as this can cause stress.
• Safe Environment: Dense plant cover and hiding spots are critical for the safety of baby shrimp.
• Molting: To ensure healthy reproduction, the shrimp need to molt regularly. Adequate calcium levels (found in GH) are essential for this process. You can supplement calcium through cuttlebone or mineral blocks.
Shrimplet Care:
• Baby shrimp feed primarily on biofilm. Ensure there’s an ample supply in the tank.
• Don’t use any medications or treatments that contain copper—it’s toxic to shrimp, especially young ones.
4. Common Health Issues and Troubleshooting
While cherry shrimp are hardy, they can still experience health problems if conditions aren’t optimal.
Molting Problems:
• Symptoms: Shrimp fail to shed their exoskeleton or show abnormal behavior during molting.
• Cause: This is usually due to insufficient calcium levels or fluctuations in water parameters.
• Solution: Ensure water hardness is in the recommended range and that there is enough calcium in the water. Adding cuttlebone can help raise calcium levels.
Stress and Color Fading:
• Cause: Poor water quality or inappropriate tank mates.
• Solution: Check water parameters regularly and remove any aggressive fish that might be harassing the shrimp.
Bacterial Infections:
• Symptoms: White or milky patches on the shrimp’s body, lethargy, or inactivity.
• Solution: Quarantine affected shrimp immediately. Perform a water change and ensure filtration is working properly to prevent future infections.
5. Choosing Tank Mates for Cherry Shrimp
Cherry shrimp are peaceful and will thrive in a community tank, but they’re also vulnerable to predation. It’s important to choose tank mates wisely.
Best Tank Mates:
• Snails: Nerite snails, mystery snails, and ramshorn snails are great companions.
• Fish: Small, non-aggressive fish like Otocinclus catfish, small tetras, and pygmy Corydoras are excellent choices.
Avoid:
• Avoid any fish with aggressive or predatory tendencies, like bettas, larger cichlids, or barbs. Even curious fish can stress shrimp or eat baby shrimp.
6. Maintaining a Stable Ecosystem
To maintain a thriving cherry shrimp colony, consistency is key. Perform regular water changes (about 10-20% weekly) and vacuum the substrate to remove any debris. Use a reliable water test kit to monitor ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and pH levels regularly.