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Understanding Cherry Shrimp

Red Cherry Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi) are popular dwarf freshwater shrimp from Taiwan, China, and Vietnam, known for their vibrant colors and active scavenging. Adults reach 1 to 1.5 inches (4 cm), with larger, more colorful females that may display a yellow "saddle" or appear "berried" with eggs.

Their lifespan is typically one to two years. Understanding their basic biology, including what do red cherry shrimp eat and their red cherry shrimp diet, is key to helping them flourish.

What Do Red Cherry Shrimp Eat: A Comprehensive Guide to Red Cherry Shrimp Food

A proper red cherry shrimp diet supports their growth, coloration, and breeding. As omnivorous scavengers, they thrive on a varied diet of natural foods and supplemental red cherry shrimp food options.

As omnivorous scavengers, their diet is incredibly diverse. Let's break down what they eat both in nature and in your aquarium.

Red Cherry Shrimp Diet Preferences

In an established aquarium, Red Cherry Shrimp constantly graze on microscopic organisms and decaying organic matter.

• Biofilm: This slimy layer of microorganisms grows on all tank surfaces and provides a continuous food source.

• Do Red Cherry Shrimp Eat Algae? Algae Consumption: Yes, red cherry shrimp eat algae, specifically soft green and brown types. However, they are not a primary solution for controlling tougher hair or string algae.

• Decaying Matter: As detritivores, they consume shed plant material and uneaten fish food, helping to keep the tank clean.

Red cherry shrimp are actively grazing on soft green algae in a planted aquarium

Commercial and Supplemental Red Cherry Shrimp Food Options

Supplementing their diet ensures they receive essential nutrients like protein and calcium for growth and healthy molting.

• Shrimp-Specific Foods: Formulated pellets and sticks like Hikari Shrimp Cuisine contain added calcium for strong exoskeletons.

• General Aquarium Foods: High-quality fish flakes, sinking pellets, and algae wafers are readily accepted.

• Blanched Vegetables: Soft-boiled zucchini, spinach, lettuce, or cucumber make excellent supplemental red cherry shrimp food.

• Natural Foods (Leaves & Wood): Indian almond (catappa) leaves, oak leaves, and cholla wood break down slowly, fostering biofilm growth.

• Protein Sources: Offer frozen or live brine shrimp, daphnia, or bloodworms once or twice a week for protein.

• Specialized Food for Baby Shrimplets: Powdered foods like Hikari First Bites or Bacter AE are crucial as they disperse throughout the tank, ensuring tiny shrimplets can access nutrition.

What to Feed Red Cherry Shrimp: Frequency and Best Practices

Feed them once daily, offering only an amount they can finish within 2-3 hours. In a community tank, be mindful of food competition, as other inhabitants like fish might eat the food before the shrimp get a chance.

Using a feeding dish is a great practice to ensure your shrimp receive the necessary nutrients without competition. Additionally, be cautious when introducing new foods to your freshwater shrimp community. Some ingredients can be harmful, so always research and consult expert advice before making significant changes to their diet.    

Common Feeding Mistakes to Avoid

Overfeeding is a common mistake that degrades water quality by causing ammonia spikes. Always remove uneaten food promptly to maintain a clean, stable environment.

Monitoring Cherry Shrimp Health and Adjusting Feeding Strategies

Regularly monitoring the health and well-being of your cherry shrimp is crucial for their long-term success.

Observe their behavior, coloration, and activity levels. This helps identify any potential health concerns or changes in their environment.

Adjust their feeding strategies and tank conditions as needed to address any issues. This will ensure a healthy, thriving freshwater shrimp community.

Red Cherry Shrimp Care and Habitat Setup

Establishing the correct habitat and maintaining stable water conditions are paramount for a thriving Red Cherry Shrimp colony.

Tank Size and Environment for Cherry Shrimp

A 10-gallon tank or larger is recommended for a breeding colony. A mature tank provides abundant biofilm, a crucial part of the red cherry shrimp diet. An air stone improves aeration, and starting with at least 10 shrimp helps ensure breeding success.

Proper aeration and a mature tank ensure breeding success for red cherry shrimp

Filtration

Most filters work, but intakes on power or canister filters must be covered with a sponge pre-filter to protect shrimplets. Sponge filters are highly recommended as they provide effective filtration and additional grazing surfaces.

Beneficial Live Plants and Aquarium Decorations

Integrating plants and decorations enhances the security and well-being of your shrimp.

Recommended Plants

Dense, fine-leaved plants like Mosses, Anacharis, and Water Sprite are excellent choices. They maximize surface area for biofilm growth, a key component of the red cherry shrimp diet, and offer hiding spots for molting shrimp and shrimplets.

Decorations for Cherry Shrimp

Shrimp caves, driftwood, and other shelters provide crucial hiding places, especially after molting when their new exoskeleton is vulnerable. Driftwood also serves as a long-term surface for biofilm, supplementing their natural red cherry shrimp frozen food sources.

Important Cautions for Shrimp Tanks

Maintaining a safe environment requires careful attention to common aquarium additives.

• Chemicals & Medications: Strictly avoid medications containing copper, which is toxic to invertebrates. If treating fish, move them to a separate hospital tank.

• CO2 Injection: In planted tanks, monitor CO2 carefully to prevent the pH from dropping too low, which can be harmful to shrimp.

• Fertilizers: Plant fertilizers are generally safe when used as directed. Avoid overdosing, as it can negatively impact water quality.

Copper based medications are highly toxic and must be avoided in shrimp tanks

Breeding Red Cherry Shrimp Successfully

Breeding Red Cherry Shrimp is a rewarding experience that relies on stable conditions and a proper diet.

How to Breed Cherry Shrimp

Breeding requires stable water parameters, a nutritious red cherry shrimp diet, and no predators. A female becomes "berried" after molting, carrying 20-30 yellow eggs under her tail for 3-5 weeks until they hatch.

Raising Shrimplets

Shrimplets hatch as miniature adults and need specialized food for baby shrimplets, like powdered options that disperse widely. A mature tank with ample biofilm is also crucial for their survival. A species-only tank is highly recommended for optimal growth.

Improving Color (Culling)

Culling, or selectively removing shrimp with less intense colors from the breeding group, helps maintain and enhance the colony's vibrant coloration over generations.

Removing less colorful shrimp helps maintain a high grade breeding line

Compatible Species

Careful selection is key to preventing predation in a community aquarium.

• Other Invertebrates: Amano Shrimp, Ghost Shrimp, Bamboo Shrimp, and most freshwater snails (Nerite, Ramshorn) are excellent companions.

• Compatible Fish Species: Only small, non-aggressive fish like Otocinclus Catfish, Corydoras Catfish, and Chili Rasboras are safe. Even then, provide ample hiding spots as some shrimplets may be eaten.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do blue dream shrimp eat algae?

Yes, blue dream shrimp eat algae, specifically soft green and brown varieties. They are not effective against tougher types like hair or string algae.

What do blue dream shrimp eat?

Blue dream shrimp are omnivores that eat biofilm, algae, and decaying matter. For optimal health, supplement their diet with shrimp-specific foods, blanched vegetables, and occasional protein.

How much red cherry shrimp food should I provide?

Feed once daily, offering only what they can consume in 2-3 hours. Always remove uneaten red cherry shrimp food to maintain good water quality.

Feed your shrimp only what they can finish within a couple of hours each day

Understanding what do red cherry shrimp eat is key to a thriving aquarium. A varied red cherry shrimp diet of biofilm, algae, and supplemental red cherry shrimp food ensures their health and vibrant color. Proper nutrition leads to successful breeding and a beautiful colony. For expert advice and premium aquatic supplies, trust Betta USA Aquatic's two decades of experience. Explore our selection of shrimp food today!

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