Red Cherry Shrimps

Red Cherry Shrimps

Red Cherry Shrimps

Today we will be introducing a pet that are relatively special, thus the star of today will be the “Red Cherry Shrimp” (RCS).  RCS is a species of freshwater shrimp from Taiwan which are commonly kept in the aquariums. The colouration of the shrimp is depending on breeding which will also determine the “quality” and selling price of the cherry shrimp. However, this "quality" is purely aesthetic, as the size, behavior and other characteristics of cherry is usually equal across varieties. A fully grown shrimp could reach about 4 centimetres long.

Housing

RCS are easy to manage in the home freshwater aquarium because they are able to adapt to a wide range of water conditions, and will thrive in the same conditions as many common aquarium fish. This has made them a good choice for beginners to start with. A neutral to slightly alkaline pH will provide a best results.

Overall look of a tank for Red Cherry Shrimps

Behaviour

RCS is a non-aggressive shrimp thus they will do no harm to other aquarium habitats. They are usually active throughout the day, so usually we will see them grazing on algae, aquarium décor or the side of the tank. Usually a shrimp will shed their exoskeleton, however it is recommend to leave the shed shell in the tank because the shrimp will eat it to recover minerals.

If a female cherry shrimp is pregnant, she will hide in the dark. When they feel danger, there is possibility of the female abandoning the eggs. Therefore, environment with wood or plants allow the females to hide themselves and their babies.

Red Cherry Shrimps resting on a wood

Diet

RCS are primarily algae eaters, but they will just eat any food intended for aquarium use. However, some people will prefer to feed algae discs more. Besides that, blanched vegetables such as zuicchini, baby carrots, peas and spinach can also be supplemental food but should be fed sparingly. This is due to uneaten vegetables will decompose quickly and create the water quality.

Algae surrounding in the tank

Tank Mates

In the natural environment, cherry shrimp are usually prey animals. Thus, when kept in an aquarium they are easily targeted as potential food. Therefore, only small and non-aggressive fish can be kept together with adult cherry shrimp.

Red Cherry Shrimps are small in size which makes them easy prey for larger fish

As a conclusion, Red Cherry Shrimps can be good choice as an aquarium pet because they can be easily managed and can be purchased from aquarium stores and even online fish stores.