Fire Red Cherry Shrimp
Species Profile
Fire Red Cherry Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi) are a selectively bred, high-grade color morph that leaves ordinary wild-type translucency behind in favor of dense, opaque crimson shells. Unlike lower-grade cherries with patchy coloration, true Fire Reds carry uniform red coverage extending through their carapace, abdomen, and walking legs. They are classic planted tank favorites for good reason: their bold scarlet hue pops vividly against bright green carpeting plants, mosses, and dark hardscape. Beyond their looks, they are diligent biofilm pickers and algae grazers that safely scour delicate foliage and foreground runners without uprooting plants or damaging healthy leaves. Hardy and adaptable to standard tap water, they are easy to keep and breed, making them a staple for nano scapes and peaceful community layouts alike.
**Note: All livestock orders will come carefully packaged with solid wall Styrofoam insulation and shipped via 1-day shipping only. No extra insulation needs to be added to your cart for your livestock.
Key Features & Notes
- Dense, opaque red coverage extending through the carapace and legs contrasts sharply with green mosses and dark hardscape.
- Active, plant-safe scavenger that continuously grazes soft algae and biofilm without disrupting carpet runners.
- Hardy Neocaridina strain that adapts easily to standard tap water parameters and readily breeds in established setups.
Care Specifications
- Maintain clean, well-filtered water with stable GH and KH levels to ensure problem-free molting cycles.
- Keep water parameters strictly free of copper-based medications or heavy metals.
- Supplement their diet with plant-based shrimp pellets, spirulina, and blanched vegetables to ensure proper minerals for molting when natural algae is low.
- Provide textured hardscape like lava rock or mosses to maximize surface area for beneficial biofilm growth and shrimplet shelter.
- Leave molted shells in the tank so fry and adults can ingest essential minerals for growth.
Quick Facts
Listed information should be treated as general guidelines only. Team Buce Plant encourages you to do thorough research to ensure healthy livestock!
| Attribute | Specification |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Neocaridina davidi "Fire Red" |
| Common Name(s) | Fire Red Cherry Shrimp, High Grade Cherry Shrimp |
| Family | Atyidae |
| Care Difficulty | Easy |
| Diet | Omnivore (Biofilm, soft algae, sinking micro pellets, blanched vegetables) |
| Plant Safe | Yes (Safe with delicate mosses, stems, and foreground carpets) |
| Temperament | Peaceful bottom and hardscape grazer |
| Adult Size | 0.75"–1.25" (2.0–3.0 cm) |
| Minimum Tank Size | 5+ Gallons (10+ Gallons recommended for stable breeding) |
| Water Parameters | pH 6.8–7.8 | GH 6–10 | KH 3–8 | 65°F–80°F (18°C–27°C) | TDS 180–300 ppm |
| Freshwater Breeding | Yes (Prolific live shrimplet producer) |
| Origin | Taiwan (Tank-bred domestic strain) |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I properly acclimate my new freshwater shrimp to prevent shock?
Dwarf shrimp are sensitive to sudden TDS shifts. Float the bag for 15 minutes, then slowly drip acclimate tank water over 1 to 2 hours before releasing them. Learn more in 7 Easy Steps to Drip Acclimate Shrimp and Fish.
2. What substrate is best for keeping dwarf shrimp healthy?
Neocaridina do best on inert substrates like gravel or sand that do not alter pH. Caridina species require active buffering aquarium soil. Learn how to select the right foundation in our Best Substrate for Shrimp Guide.
3. How do I get my colony to start breeding?
Keep water parameters stable, feed a protein-rich diet, and keep temperatures around 72°F to 76°F. Females carry eggs under their tail until fully formed miniature shrimplets hatch. Learn more in our guide on How to Breed Freshwater Shrimp.
4. Are dwarf shrimp easy to care for if I am a beginner?
Yes. Fire Red Cherries adapt smoothly to conditioned tap water and require minimal intervention once their aquarium is cycled. For complete parameters and feeding guidelines, explore our Freshwater Aquarium Shrimp Care Guide.