Neocaridina denticulata sinensis "red"
| Common Names: | Cherry Shrimp |
| Salinity: | Freshwater |
| Distribution: | The Cherry Shrimp is a captive-developed morph and is not found in the wild. The wild-type of the Cherry Shrimp, generally known as the Taiwan Shrimp, is found in southern China and Taiwan. |
| Care: | Provide a tank of at least five gallons. The tank should be well established and ideally, heavily planted. Hiding places should be provided, though this shrimp is not considered shy and will often be seen during the day. Do not house it with crustacean-eating fish such as puffers, large cichlids, and loaches, because they will usually make short work of the Cherry Shrimp. Cherry Shrimp are generally peaceful towards themselves and their tankmates, and they can be kept in groups as long as each shrimp has its own hiding place. An extremely hardy invertebrate, the Cherry Shrimp will tolerate just about any water parameters, just as long as the water is clean. Hardness, pH, and temperature are generally not important. In fact, this shrimp can even be kept in outdoor ponds as long as there is no danger of freezing. |
| Feeding: | The Cherry Shrimp, like most of its close relatives, feeds heavily on algae. In established tanks, there is generally enough algal growth to support a population of Cherry Shrimp; if for whatever reason there is no algae, vegetables such as cucumber and zucchini may be offered as a substitute. Additionally, an "algae rock" may be created by placing a rock in a container of water in a windowsill and allowing algae to grow. When there is heavy algal growth on the rock, it is placed in the tank for the Cherry Shrimp to feed on. Cherry Shrimp, although primarily algae-eaters, will also function as opportunistic scavengers to some degree. They will generally eat leftover fish flakes and sinking foods, as well as any dead or dying fish in tank. Additionally, they will eat any unprotected fish eggs as well as newly-hatched fish fry that are not yet free-swimming. Any young fish capable of swimming is generally considered safe with the Cherry Shrimp, which does not engage in active predation. |
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| Potential Size: | Male: 3cm (1.2") Female: 3cm (1.2") |
| Comments: | The Cherry Shrimp, once considered rare and expensive, has recently become a relatively common freshwater shrimp in the hobby. While the amount of red exhibited in this species can vary immensely between individuals, specimens seen in store holding tanks may be exceptionally pale and easy to look over. Once settled in a permanent tank, however, the Cherry Shrimp generally colors up significantly. Sexing the shrimp is relatively easy - adult females will generally show more red coloration than adult males, who may have very little coloration at all. Consequently, it is not uncommon for stores to sell only female Cherry Shrimp, which may be seen as more desirable to some hobbyists. Prior to breeding, the yellow ovaries of females will become visible on the dorsal side of the females. Breeding the Cherry Shrimp is easy. When kept together in proper conditions, males and females will generally breed on their own frequently enough to form self-sustaining populations, or become overpopulated in a tank. After the yellowish eggs are laid, they are carried on the female's swimmerets until they hatch. The young do not go through a larval stage and assume a benthic lifestyle similar to that of adult shrimp immediately after hatching. |
| Image Credit: | Natalie |
| Submitted By: | Natalie |
| Contributors: | Natalie |
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