Cherry Shrimp

Planning your aquarium

The library starting point is 5+ US gallons. The suggested starting social group is 5 or more.

A mature aquarium with stable parameters and grazing surfaces is usually more important than chasing a precise score. Avoid rapid changes in water chemistry.

Water and tankmates

Hardy dwarf shrimp; adults can coexist with many peaceful nano fish, but babies may be eaten.

Mature surfaces, mosses and gentle intake protection help adults and young shrimp graze safely.

Shrimp and especially their young can be prey for fish. Provide dense cover and confirm compatibility before mixing species. Avoid copper-based aquarium medicines unless specifically confirmed invertebrate-safe.

Food and feeding

Food options: Shrimp pellets, Biofilm, Blanched vegetables.

Biofilm and leaf litter are useful, supported by small amounts of balanced shrimp food.

Preserve biofilm and natural grazing surfaces. Add supplementary food sparingly to avoid polluting the water.

Additional care caution

Even small peaceful fish may eat newborn shrimplets.

Tankmate cautions in the checker

• Avoid or investigate Pea Puffer: Pea puffers are active micro-predators and commonly hunt dwarf shrimp.
• Avoid or investigate Oscar: Cherry shrimp are small enough to be eaten by an oscar.
• Use caution with Angelfish: Adult angelfish may eat dwarf shrimp, especially juveniles.
• Use caution with Betta Fish: Some bettas ignore adult shrimp, while others hunt them; shrimp babies are especially vulnerable.

These are selected rule-based cautions, not a complete compatibility assessment.