Red Cherry Shrimp | The Little Ruby Thieves

Red Cherry Shrimp | The Little Ruby Thieves

A scattering of living rubies has taken up residence in the Sunken Garden, and they’re making themselves quite at home.

Bright as polished garnets and scarcely larger than a fingertip, Red Cherry Shrimp bring a delightful splash of color to the freshwater aquarium. These tiny crimson explorers spend their days wandering through aquatic greenery, investigating moss-covered branches, and helping themselves to whatever edible treasures they discover along the way.

A selectively bred variety of Neocaridina davidi, Red Cherry Shrimp are beloved for their brilliant coloring, peaceful personalities, and enthusiastic scavenging habits. Their shades range from soft cherry red to rich, opaque crimson, with females often displaying deeper coloration than their smaller male companions.

Hardy, curious, and wonderfully active, these little jewels are equally charming for beginning aquarists and experienced shrimp keepers. In a thriving planted aquarium, a colony of Red Cherry Shrimp can transform even the quietest corner into a bustling miniature world.

And while they may look like precious gemstones, these little rubies have a habit of wandering off whenever something interesting catches their attention.

Appearance & Characteristics

• Scientific Name: Neocaridina davidi
• Common Name: Red Cherry Shrimp
• Coloration: Cherry red to deep crimson, with varying degrees of opacity
• Adult Size: Approximately 1–1.5 inches
• Lifespan: Approximately 1–2 years with appropriate care
• Temperament: Peaceful, active, and nonaggressive
• Environment: Freshwater
• Experience Level: Beginner-friendly
• Diet: Omnivorous

Aquarium Care

Tank Size: A minimum of 5 gallons is recommended, although larger aquariums provide more stable water conditions and additional space for a growing colony.

Water Conditions: Red Cherry Shrimp are adaptable to a variety of freshwater conditions but thrive in stable, fully cycled aquariums. Consistent temperature, appropriate mineral content, and gradual changes in water chemistry are essential for healthy molting and long-term success.

Aquarium Environment: Live plants, aquatic mosses, driftwood, and sheltered spaces create an inviting habitat. These surfaces encourage the growth of biofilm, an important natural food source, while providing protection for newly molted shrimp and developing young.

Diet: Red Cherry Shrimp are enthusiastic scavengers, grazing on soft algae, biofilm, and decaying organic matter. Supplement their natural diet with quality shrimp pellets, algae wafers, and occasional blanched vegetables such as zucchini or spinach. Their grazing contributes to aquarium cleanliness but does not replace regular maintenance.

Compatibility: Their gentle nature makes them suitable companions for other peaceful freshwater invertebrates and carefully selected small fish. Even otherwise peaceful fish may eat baby shrimp, so densely planted or shrimp-only aquariums are ideal for breeding colonies.

Molting: As they grow, Red Cherry Shrimp periodically shed their exoskeletons. Newly molted shrimp often retreat into sheltered areas while their new shells harden. Adequate minerals and stable water conditions are especially important during this process.

Breeding: Red Cherry Shrimp reproduce readily in suitable freshwater aquariums. Females carry developing eggs beneath their abdomens, and the young hatch as miniature versions of the adults, without a free-swimming larval stage. Mosses, dense plants, and protected filter intakes help improve the survival of newly hatched shrimp.

Color & Grading: Their distinctive red coloring is the result of selective breeding. Females are typically larger and more vividly colored than males, while individual color intensity and opacity vary by grade. Mixing different Neocaridina davidi color varieties may produce offspring with less predictable coloration.

Special Considerations: Like other freshwater dwarf shrimp, Red Cherry Shrimp are sensitive to copper-based aquarium treatments and sudden changes in water chemistry. Gradual acclimation and a mature, stable aquarium are strongly recommended.

A Little Treasure Beneath the Leaves

There is something wonderfully entertaining about watching a colony of Red Cherry Shrimp go about its business.

One ruby might be perched on a delicate leaf, another investigating a piece of driftwood, while a third disappears into the moss with a treasure it has apparently decided belongs to it.

They may be tiny, but they bring color, movement, and an unmistakable sense of life to the underwater garden.

And unlike ordinary rubies, these precious little treasures have absolutely no intention of staying where you put them.

Live Arrival Policy

Red Cherry Shrimp are living aquatic animals and require prompt attention upon delivery.

Please inspect your shipment immediately upon arrival. Any dead-on-arrival concerns must be reported to hello@thelovefern.com within 2 hours of confirmed delivery, accompanied by clear photographs of the affected livestock and packaging.