Neocaridina heteropoda

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Red Cherry Shrimp
Red Cherry Shrimp
Species Neocaridina heteropoda
Difficulty Moderate
Min. Tank Size 18.927 liters
18,927.059 mL

5 US Gallons (18.9L)

Size 2.54 cm

0.5-1 " (1.3-2.5cm)

pH 6.4 - 8.4
Temp. 295.15 K
71.6 °F
531.27 °R

301.15 K
82.4 °F
542.07 °R22 -28 °C (71.6-82.4°F)

Water Hardness

8-12

Stocking Ratio 1:2 M:F
Availability Uncommon
Diet

Omnivore
Flake Foods
Other (See article)

Life Span

1-2 years

Contents

[edit] Alternative names

The Cherry Red Shrimp is also known as Red Cherry Shrimp (RCS) or Cherry Shrimp.

[edit] Sexing

Male shrimp usually are more translucent while females have a deep red color. Males also have a more slender abdomen than females.

[edit] Tank compatibility

Do not stock with anything that can fit the entire shrimp in its mouth. Best kept in a shrimp-only tank if breeding success is desired, as there are very few fish that will not eat newly hatched shrimplets.

[edit] Diet

Eats mostly algae, however will eat carrion and prepared fish food. Is more accurately described as an opportunistic omnivore/detrivore, meaning that it will eat most any organic matter it can find. Some say it's a better algae eater than the Yamato or Amano shrimp - Caridina japonica Shrimp will also eat microfauna that grows on the plants and glass of the aquarium, providing a wider variety of vitamins they need. If there is a light on the tank for 12 hours per day the shrimp do not need to be fed at all as they graze on microfauna. When they are starving they will eventually eat some softer types of algae.

[edit] Environment Specifics

Planted aquariums will be beneficial to the health of these shrimp. A heavily planted tank will allow them to hide from other fish making them feel safer. When the shrimp feel safe they are more likely to have deep red coloration.
Shrimp and all inverts are very sensitive to ELEMENTAL copper. Copper compounds, in low amounts do not hurt them. So the copper sulfate found in almost every fish food, will not harm the shrimp.

[edit] Behaviour

These shrimp are very curious. They will visit any new additions to the tank and clean it mercilessly. They will not damage live plants but will clean the algae off them quite readily.
Approximately once a month (Depending on diet, age and environmental factors, it could be more or less frequent), the shrimp will molt (Shed its old shell to allow a new, slightly larger one to form). During this time, the shrimp will seek out a place to hide while it's new shell hardens, for safety reasons. Many unexperienced aquarists jump to conclusions, assuming their unseen shrimp to have been eaten; these fears are short lived however, as they usually reappear after a few days.
The molting of RCS is interesting. They bend into an upside-down "U" shape, then *pop*, the jump out of their shells.

[edit] Availability

Freshwater shrimps are becoming more popular in the USA and in the UK. But countries in mainland Europe like Germany and the Netherlands are the real experts in raising shrimps.

[edit] Pictures

Red Cherry Shrimp

Female RCS

[edit] Videos


[edit] Commercial Sellers

[edit] External links

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