Red Cherry Shrimp

Scientific Name: Neocaridina davidi (previously Neocaridina heteropoda)
Common Name: Red Cherry Shrimp, Cherry Shrimp, RCS
Family: Atyidae
Origin: Native to Taiwan; selectively bred for vibrant red coloration from wild Neocaridina strains
Size: 2–3 cm (0.8–1.2 inches); females slightly larger and more colorful
Lifespan: 1–2 years with proper care

Rarity: Common in the aquarium trade but highly sought after for their vibrant color and ease of care, especially high-grade (e.g., Fire Red) specimens.

Small colony (10–20 shrimp): Minimum 2–5 gallons, though 10 gallons is ideal for stability and breeding.
Larger colonies: 20 gallons or more for robust populations and community tanks.

Plants: Pair with mosses (e.g., Java moss, Christmas moss) or hardy plants like Cryptocoryne wendtii (from your stock), Java fern, or Anubias. These provide grazing surfaces and hiding spots for molting shrimp.
Decor: Include driftwood, leaf litter (e.g., Indian almond leaves), and small caves or shrimp tubes for security. Cholla wood is ideal for biofilm growth, a key food source.

Community:
Compatible with peaceful nano fish (e.g., ember tetras, chili rasboras) and other non-aggressive invertebrates (e.g., Amano shrimp, nerite snails).
Avoid housing with aggressive fish (e.g., cichlids, including Laetacara araguaiae during breeding) or predatory species that eat shrimp (e.g., large tetras, bettas like Betta mahachaiensis, unless in heavily planted 20+ gallon tanks with ample hiding spots).
Ideal for species-only tanks or planted community setups.

Water Parameters:
Temperature: 68–78°F (20–26°C); avoid extremes above 82°F (28°C).

Filtration: Gentle sponge filter or matted filter to prevent shrimp from being sucked in. Ensure good water flow for oxygenation without strong currents.
Lighting: Low to moderate; dense plants or floating plants (e.g., water sprite) provide shade and encourage activity.

Diet:
Omnivorous scavengers; feed on biofilm, algae, and decaying plant matter. Supplement with high-quality shrimp pellets, blanched vegetables (e.g., spinach, zucchini), or specialized shrimp foods (e.g., Bacter AE for biofilm growth).
Feed sparingly (small amounts every 1–2 days); remove uneaten food after 4–6 hours to prevent water fouling.
Indian almond leaves or alder cones provide tannins and grazing surfaces.

Breeding:
Easy to breed; females carry 20–30 eggs under their abdomen for ~30 days. Eggs hatch into miniature shrimp (no larval stage).
Provide moss or dense plants for shrimplets to hide. Avoid heavy filtration that could suck up young.
Breeding occurs readily in stable conditions with good food availability. High-grade color strains may dilute if crossbred with lower-grade shrimp