Description
🌟 Red Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi var. Red)
📌 Basic Info
Scientific Name: Neocaridina davidi (Red variant)
Common Name: Red Shrimp / Red Cherry Shrimp (basic grade)
Size: ~1 – 1.2 inches (2.5 – 3 cm)
Lifespan: 1.5 – 2 years
Tank Zone: Bottom to mid (always grazing on plants, substrate, and surfaces)
🌊 Water Parameters
TDS (Total Dissolved Solids): 100 – 250 ppm
pH: 6.5 – 7.5
Temperature: 20°C – 26°C (68°F – 79°F)
Water Type: Freshwater, soft to moderately hard
Hardness: GH 4–8, KH 3–6
🐟 Characteristics
Bright red body color (intensity depends on grade – Cherry, Sakura, Fire Red, Bloody Mary)
Peaceful, small, and hardy → perfect for community and nano aquariums
Active algae eaters, help in keeping tanks clean
Easy to breed in stable conditions
Females are larger and have deeper red compared to males
🍽️ Food
Type: Omnivorous scavenger
Diet: Algae, biofilm, shrimp pellets, blanched vegetables (spinach, zucchini), spirulina, high-quality shrimp food
Feeding Frequency: 3–4 times per week, very small amounts
🛠️ Maintenance
Weekly water change: 15–20%
Sponge filter preferred (safe for baby shrimp)
Provide moss, plants, and driftwood → natural grazing and hiding spots
Avoid copper in fertilizers or medicines (toxic to shrimp)
Stable water parameters are more important than perfect numbers
👥 Social Behavior
Minimum Group Size: 10+ (thrive in colonies)
Tank Mates: Peaceful small fish – rasboras, ember tetras, endlers, guppies, otocinclus, snails
Avoid: Large/aggressive fish (bettas, cichlids, goldfish, barbs)
✅ Do’s
Keep them in well-planted tanks with hiding spots
Acclimate slowly when adding to a new tank
Maintain a stable, cycled aquarium
Keep in colonies for natural behavior and breeding
❌ Don’ts
Don’t keep them with predator fish
Don’t overfeed (causes water pollution)
Don’t expose to copper-based treatments
Don’t keep in unstable or very new aquariums
⭐ Quick Tips
One of the most popular freshwater shrimp worldwide
Hardy, colorful, and beginner-friendly
Great algae cleaners and easy to breed
Adds a bright red touch to any planted aquarium
