Cherry Shrimp: Caring for Neocaridina davidi
- aquaterraobsession
- Sep 13
- 10 min read
Comprehensive Biotope and Aquarium Care Sheet
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This care sheet synthesizes native ecology, natural species associations, and a comprehensive review of captive-bred color morphs to provide a current, authoritative reference for both keepers and researchers. Whether your goal is to emulate their wild habitat, maintain vibrant color lines, or explore naturalistic community tanks, understanding the complexities of Neocaridina davidi empowers more successful, ethical, and enriching shrimp care.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Neocaridina davidi, widely known as the cherry shrimp, is possibly the most iconic freshwater shrimp in the aquarium world. Hailing from the rivers, streams, and ponds of East Asia—especially Taiwan, China, Korea, and Vietnam—this small, hardy crustacean captivates hobbyists with its dazzling array of selectively bred color morphs and an ease of care that welcomes both experienced aquarists and beginners. Unlike many other shrimp, N. davidi is renowned for its temperature-range tolerance and adaptability, allowing successful keeping and breeding across a broad range of freshwater conditions.
Of particular interest is the rich natural history of cherry shrimp: in their native biotopes, they play pivotal ecological roles as detritivores and algae grazers, serving as both prey and competitor for an array of fish and invertebrates. Their wild-type coloration is a mottled brown-green, a stark contrast to the vibrant reds, blues, yellows, and exotic patterns found in the aquarium trade today. The flexibility of cherry shrimp in aquarium settings is further enhanced by their peaceful disposition, high reproductive rate, and captivating behaviors such as constant grazing, dynamic swimming during breeding, and group interactions.
Summary Table
Attribute | Details |
Scientific Name | Neocaridina davidi (Bouvier, 1904) |
Common Names | Cherry Shrimp, Red Cherry Shrimp, Sakura Shrimp, Fire Red, Blue Dream Shrimp (and other color-based names) |
Native Range | Taiwan, China, Korea, Vietnam |
Habitat Type | Small streams, rivers, ponds, lakes, agricultural channels, reservoirs (not strictly tropical) |
Natural pH Range | 6.0–8.2 |
Natural Temperature Range | 6–30°C (43–86°F); wild extremes as low as 4°C (39°F) in winter, up to 30°C (86°F) in summer |
Typical Captive Range | 18–28°C (65–82°F), pH 6.2–8.0 |
GH/KH (General/Carbonate) | GH 4–8, KH 3–15, TDS 150–300 |
Lifespan | 1–2 years (females 12–15 months; males 10–13 months) |
Adult Size | Females: 2.5–4.0 cm (1–1.6 in), Males: 2–3 cm (0.8–1.2 in) |
Natural Diet | Biofilm, algae, detritus, leaf litter, meiofauna (oligochaetes, nematodes, microcrustaceans) |
Reproduction | Direct development; females carry eggs 16–35 days, clutch size 20–60 eggs |
Substrate Preference | Gravel, sand, leaf litter, submerged roots; dark substrate enhances coloration |
Vegetation Structure | Aquatic mosses (Java moss), ferns, submerged wood, leaf debris; dense plant or algal cover |
Native Cohabitants | Small cyprinids, killifish, medaka, poecilids, freshwater snails, crabs, other atyid shrimps |
Captive Color Morphs | Red, Blue (Dream, Velvet, Jelly), Yellow (Sakura), Green (Jade), Orange (Sakura), Rili, Black, White, etc. |
Commercial Availability | Extremely high; global trade; invasive/self-sustaining populations in non-native regions |
Notable Behaviors | Non-aggressive, group foraging, fanning of eggs, color/behavioral change with background and stress |
Sample Tankmates | Ember Tetra, Neon Tetra, Pygmy Corydoras, Otocinclus, Nerite Snails, Endler’s Livebearer |
Native Biotope
Native Geographic Distribution
Neocaridina davidi is indigenous to a broad expanse of East and Southeast Asia. Its core native range covers Taiwan, much of eastern and central China, the Korean Peninsula, and northern portions of Vietnam. Within these regions, cherry shrimp inhabit montane and lowland river drainages, ponds, agricultural irrigation channels, and even natural and artificial reservoirs.
Their presence in Japan (including the main islands) and Hawaii results from introductions via human activity, notably the aquarium trade and inadvertent releases, with established feral populations reported in diverse global locations, particularly where thermal effluent allows survival through otherwise lethal winters.
The broad distribution across temperate and subtropical latitudes informs both the flexibility and constraints of this species in captive and wild settings. For example, shrimp from Taiwan and southern China experience mild to cold seasonal variation, while populations in more temperate areas may only persist in thermally altered or coastal environments.
Natural Water Parameters
Parameter values from the native and feral habitats of N. davidi underpin aquarium care recommendations. Water temperature in their home streams ranges from 4–8°C (39–46°F) during the coldest months (e.g., January) to up to 28–30°C (82–86°F) in summer. However, shrimp are most active and breed best in the middle of this range, typically 18–28°C (65–82°F).
Water pH is variable, usually 6.0–8.2, and they exhibit remarkable plasticity in general and carbonate hardness (GH 0–27, KH 3–15 are tolerable). Notably, their resilience extends to relatively low dissolved oxygen levels (as low as 3.1 mg/L), though well-oxygenated, clean environments support greater health and reproduction.
This environmental adaptability has enabled N. davidi to flourish in disturbed, mildly saline, or oxygen-poor biotopes—not only in their native lands but also in canals in Poland, Germany, and Hawaii. While wild populations exploit streams with fluctuating parameters, stability and cleanliness are most conducive to long-term captive breeding.
Stream Substrate and Vegetation Structure
In their home waters, cherry shrimp characteristically occupy small to mid-sized streams and channels, especially areas with gentle to moderate current, ample detritus, and plenty of cover. Typical substrates include a mix of sand, gravel, and leaf litter, often interspersed with submerged roots and woody debris. Dense aquatic mosses and floating plants are prominent features, providing both grazing grounds and critical shelter from predators and strong currents.
Mosses (notably Java moss, Taxiphyllum barbieri), ferns, and submerged broadleaf plants dominate vegetated microhabitats. Periodic leaf fall and accumulations of decaying vegetation foster rich biofilms and microbial life—a key food source for N. davidi. The depth is usually shallow, with fast-flowing runs, riffles, and near-bank margins supporting different age classes and feeding behaviors.
Shrimp populations are highest where substrate heterogeneity, water movement, and vegetal complexity offer ample foraging opportunities. Substrate color, particularly darker beds with leaf litter and moss, enhances natural camouflage and supports intense coloration in both wild-type and captive morphs.
Cohabitating Species
Understanding natural species associations is essential for ecological aquascaping or designing biotope tanks. In their native range, cherry shrimp cohabit with a diverse assemblage of fish, snails, and fellow crustaceans.
Fish Species in Native Biotope
Natural predator-prey relationships structure the aquatic communities where N. davidi is found. Small cyprinids such as White Cloud Mountain Minnow (Tanichthys albonubes), medaka (Oryzias latipes), and various local danionins and rasboras are commonly encountered fish sharing habitat with cherry shrimp.
Killifishes (Aphyosemion spp., Oryzias spp.), poecilids (Poecilia reticulata [guppy], Xiphophorus maculatus [platy]), and other small, non-predatory schooling fish are frequent companions.
Occasionally, N. davidi ranges overlap with more aggressive predatory fish (e.g., snakeheads [Channa spp.], or juvenile cichlids); however, such associations are less common in small streams and are highly localized. In artificial or thermally-altered systems in Europe and North America, cherry shrimp coexist with introduced poecilids, tetras, and even ornamental cichlids, as documented in the Gillbach and Erft system in Germany.
Table: Representative Fish Species Cohabitating with Neocaridina davidi
Common Name | Scientific Name | Biotope Occurrence | Notes |
White Cloud Mountain Minnow | Tanichthys albonubes | China, mountain streams | Non-aggressive, coexists widely |
Japanese Ricefish (Medaka) | China, Korea, Japan | Abundant in ponds, slow streams | |
Guppy | Poecilia reticulata | Introduced, various streams | Coexists in feral populations |
Platy | Xiphophorus maculatus | Introduced, pet trade streams | Common in feral tanks |
Zebra Danio | Danio rerio | Lowland streams | Schooling, harmless to shrimp |
Dwarf Rasbora | Boraras spp. | S.E. Asia, jungle streams | Small, ideal for biotope tanks |
Non-native introductions sometimes lead to mixed assemblages in newly colonized waters (e.g., cichlids or large poeciliids in heated canals), but most predatory or large fish will reduce or extirpate shrimp populations—including in aquaria. For aquarists, small, peaceful, shoaling species such as neon tetra (Paracheirodon innesi), ember tetra (Hyphessobrycon amandae), pygmy corydoras (Corydoras pygmaeus), and otocinclus catfish (Otocinclus spp.) are near-perfect companions.
Aquatic Plant Species in Native Streams
In both the wild and in aquaria designed to mimic natural conditions, aquatic plants are essential for cherry shrimp. Mosses, ferns, and floating plants dominate patches where N. davidi thrives. Java Moss (Taxiphyllum barbieri/Vesicularia dubyana) is particularly pervasive in both natural East Asian streams and global aquaria. These mosses trap fine detritus, foster biofilm development, and provide protective thickets for juvenile shrimp.
Other aquatic plants common to natural streams include:
Anubias species—sturdy, shade-tolerant with broad leaves supporting biofilm
Microsorum pteropus (Java Fern)—attached to rocks and wood
Ceratophyllum demersum (Hornwort), Elodea spp.—rootless stem plants in sluggish streams
Hydrocotyle spp.—floating or trailing herbaceous vegetation
Floating plants (duckweed, Salvinia, etc.)—provide shade, rootlets for grazing
Dense submerged and marginal vegetation, as well as accumulations of detritus and leaf litter, offer foraging abundance and shelter for all life stages of cherry shrimp. In heavily vegetated areas, these shrimp are far less susceptible to predation and much more likely to display rich coloration.
Freshwater Invertebrates Cohabiting with Neocaridina davidi
Besides fish and plants, N. davidi shares its microhabitat with an array of freshwater invertebrates. Co-inhabitants include other atyid shrimps (Neocaridina species, Caridina species), small snails (Neritina, Physella, Planorbidae), aquatic insects (chironomid larvae, mayfly nymphs, caddisfly larvae), oligochaete worms, nematodes, and microcrustaceans (ostracods, copepods, amphipods).
Interactions are usually peaceful, but competitive and predatory relationships exist. Juvenile shrimp may fall prey to predators such as dragonfly or damselfly nymphs, large beetle larvae, and occasionally fish fry. In aquarium practice, cherry shrimp do exceedingly well with compatible dwarf shrimp species (Amano shrimp [Caridina multidentata], ghost shrimp [Palaemonetes spp.]), dwarf snails (Nerite, Ramshorn, Mystery snails), and non-aggressive microcrustaceans.
Wild invertebrate associations:
Oligochaete worms: decomposers co-grazing leaf litter with shrimp
Branchiobdellid and Scutariellid worms: commensal parasites of shrimp
Microcrustaceans (copepods, ostracods): abundant in biofilm, occasional shrimp prey
Amphipods (Gammarus pulex): major shredders in leaf-littered streams
In aquaria, avoid mixing with predatory crustaceans (e.g., crayfish, large Macrobrachium species) or aggressive crabs, which can cause injury or reduce survival of shrimp stock.
Captive-Bred Color Morphs
Overview of Popular Captive-Bred Color Morphs
Through decades of selective breeding—primarily in Taiwan and continental Asia—Neocaridina davidi now boasts a kaleidoscopic spectrum of color morphs. This diversity is unrivaled among freshwater shrimp and is key to their continuing popularity in aquaria worldwide.
Morph Name | Base/Derived Color | Common Names | Notes |
Red Cherry | Intense red | Cherry Shrimp, Sakura, Fire Red. | Most popular; varying grades based on color density |
Blue Dream | Deep blue | Blue Dream, Blue Velvet. | Uniform, dark blue; prized for intensity/stability |
Yellow Sakura | Solid opaque yellow | Yellow Sakura, Neon Yellow. | High-coverage, can be lemon or gold-hued |
Green Jade | Deep green/emerald | Green Jade. | Rare, variable opacity; difficult to stabilize |
Rili | Split colors | Red Rili, Blue Rili, Orange Rili. | Colored head/tail with transparent midsection |
Orange Sakura | Bright orange | Orange Sakura, Sunkist. | Also called Pumpkin Shrimp |
Jet or chocolate black | Black Rose, Chocolate. | Black or brownish-red with variable opacity | |
Snowball | White/pearlescent | Snowball, White Pearl. | Nearly pure white, semi-translucent |
Morphs often exist on a spectrum of "grade" or color intensity, with higher grades displaying denser, more opaque, and more consistent coloration. Lower grades may show clear, brown, or olive highlights, while high grades can be so vivid as to appear almost painted.
Red Cherry Shrimp Morph Characteristics
Red cherry shrimp are the most recognized and widely sold morph. Their popularity is a direct result of selective breeding from wild-type, brown-green ancestors. Grading scales (Sakura, Fire Red, Painted Fire Red, Bloody Mary, etc.) denote depth, opacity, and completeness of red coverage.
Coloration: Ranges from clear-bodied with red highlights (low grade) to deep blood red, often with red coloring on legs/antennae (highest grade). Enhanced intensity develops from diet (carotenoids), substrate/décor contrast, and selective breeding.
Sexual Dimorphism: Females are larger, more intensely colored, and display a visible "saddle" (unfertilized eggs) when mature; males are smaller, more transparent.
Behavior and Breeding: Highly productive; females carry 20–60 eggs per clutch, with direct development (no larval stage), eggs incubated ~16–35 days.
Ecological Role: Robust, beginner-friendly, and adaptable to a range of aquascape aesthetics.
Expert Tip: Intensity of color is strongest against dark substrates and with high-quality, protein-rich diets.
Blue Dream Shrimp Morph Characteristics
Blue Dream and related blue morphs are striking for their uniform blue-to-navy coloration, achieved by amplification of blue pigment (iridophores) and reduction of brown/black (melanophore) genes.
Coloration: Dark cobalt to sapphire blue, sometimes nearly black. Low grades display more transparency; high grades approach true navy.
Stability: Require rigorous selective breeding for consistent coloration; crossbreeding with other morphs produces unpredictable or wild-type offspring.
Behavior: Similar to red morphs regarding hardiness and social behavior. Some strain variants (e.g., "Blue Jelly") show paler, translucent blues.
Unique Notes: Orange-eyed blue variants ("OE Blue Dream") feature orange-copper pigmentation in the eyes, a rare and visually unique strain.
Yellow Sakura Shrimp Morph Characteristics
Yellow Sakura or "Neon Yellow" shrimp are another artificially selected morph, valued for their intense, nearly fluorescent yellow pigmentation.
Coloration: Opaque, lemon to goldenrod yellow, with the best strains featuring all-yellow legs, antennae, and opaque exoskeleton. Grading based on color uniformity and absence of clear patches.
Origin: Bred from crossing red and brown lines, stabilizing for yellow and minimizing other pigment cells via culling.
Hardiness and Behavior: Comparable to other Neocaridina morphs, similarly prolific, and tolerant of a range of tank conditions.
Warning: Crossbreeding with red or other color strains results in brown or wild-type offspring—keep color lines separate for purity.
Green Jade Shrimp Morph Characteristics
Green Jade shrimp are among the rarest and most visually distinctive Neocaridina morphs. Their color ranges from olive to emerald green and is often less stable or uniform than red/yellow/blue strains.
Coloration: Translucent yellow base overlaid with green pigments, sometimes with darker spots or stripes. High-grade specimens exhibit consistent, deep jade coloration with little translucency.
Challenges: Achieving consistency in color and reducing brown or yellow "throwbacks" is difficult; some individuals may display color shifts according to diet, water parameters, or stress.
Popularity: Green Jade is highly sought-after for planted tanks where it contrasts vibrantly with both plants and other shrimp.
Rili Shrimp (Striped Morph) Characteristics
Rili shrimp are notable for their bicolor or tricolor "windowpane" appearance: heads and tails are brightly colored (red, blue, orange, etc.) while the midsection is clear or translucent.
Coloration: The head and tail bands exhibit the color of the selected morph (e.g., red for Red Rili, blue for Blue Rili), with a deliberate transparent midsection. Rili morphs may display further color accenting on the legs or sex organs.
Pattern Stability: Maintaining sharp transition between colored and clear zones requires careful breeding; random pattern morphs occur in mixed lines.
Aesthetics: Exceptionally popular in aquascaping due to striking contrast and novel pattern, especially when intermingled with solid color morphs.
Behavior and Care: Identical to other Neocaridina morphs; fully compatible as tankmates but will crossbreed with other lines.
Conclusion
Neocaridina davidi stands as a testament to both natural resilience and the creativity of aquarists. In both native and captive settings, this species demonstrates remarkable ecological adaptability—thriving in a range of temperatures, pH, and habitat complexity. Native associations with moss-laden streams, diverse cohabiting fish (especially small, non-predatory species), and a plethora of aquatic plants and micro-invertebrates underscore their role as a keystone detritivore in healthy freshwater systems.
The global aquarium trade has elevated N. davidi to new heights, producing a rainbow of color morphs that delight hobbyists and offer endless breeding challenges. Within the safe parameters of a clean, stable, biofilm-rich aquarium—ideally planted and furnished with dark substrate—these shrimp provide dynamic activity, promote tank cleanliness through constant grazing, and readily reproduce, often establishing dense, self-sustaining colonies.
Whether you wish to cultivate pure lines of high-grade Red cherry or explore the universe of unique rili or Green Jade genetics, Neocaridina davidi is both an ideal subject for aquatic husbandry and a rich link to the wild waters of East Asia.
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