USA Bred Red Cherry Shrimp

Breeding cherry shrimp (Neocaridina davidi var. red) can be a rewarding and relatively straightforward process if you provide them with the right conditions and care. Cherry shrimp are known for their vibrant red coloration and are popular in the aquarium hobby. Here are the steps to breed cherry shrimp successfully:

1. **Prepare the Aquarium:**
- Use a clean, established aquarium with stable water parameters. A 10-gallon tank or larger is ideal for a colony of cherry shrimp.
- Ensure the tank has a filter and good water circulation. Maintain a temperature between 72-78°F (22-26°C).

2. **Water Parameters:**
- Maintain stable water parameters. Cherry shrimp thrive in slightly alkaline to neutral water conditions with a pH of 6.5-7.5.
- Keep ammonia and nitrite levels at zero, and keep nitrate levels below 20 ppm. Regular water changes (about 10-20% per week) help maintain water quality.

3. **Substrate and Decorations:**
- Provide a substrate like fine gravel or sand for the shrimp to forage and hide in.
- Add live or artificial plants, moss, or hiding spots like PVC pipes or ceramic caves to create safe hiding places for shrimp and their babies.

4. **Diet:**
- Feed a balanced diet of high-quality shrimp food. This can include specialized shrimp pellets, algae wafers, blanched vegetables (e.g., spinach, zucchini), and occasionally live or frozen foods like brine shrimp or daphnia.
- Ensure that the shrimp get enough food, but avoid overfeeding, which can lead to water quality problems.

5. **Water Changes:**
- Perform regular water changes to maintain stable water conditions. Cherry shrimp are sensitive to water parameter fluctuations.

6. **Separate the Sexes:**
- Cherry shrimp are either male or female. Males are typically smaller and less colorful than females. To encourage breeding, maintain a higher female-to-male ratio in your tank.

7. **Monitor Behavior:**
- Observe the shrimp's behavior. When females are ready to breed, they will release pheromones that attract males.
- Mating occurs when the male deposits sperm packets called "spermatophores" near the female. Females will then fertilize their eggs and carry them beneath their bodies.

8. **Berried Females:**
- After successful mating, females will develop a saddle-like pouch beneath their bodies, known as a "saddle" or "berried." This pouch contains developing eggs.
- Protect berried females from aggressive tank mates, as they are more vulnerable at this stage.

9. **Hatchlings:**
- After a few weeks, the eggs will hatch, and tiny shrimp (shrimplets) will emerge. It's essential to provide plenty of hiding places and low-flow areas in the tank for the shrimplets to find refuge.

10. **Maintenance and Patience:**
- Continue to maintain stable water conditions, proper feeding, and protection for shrimplets.
- Be patient, as it may take some time for a new colony to establish and grow.

Cherry shrimp are prolific breeders, and under the right conditions, you can have a thriving colony in your aquarium. Keep in mind that they are vulnerable to predation, so ensure a safe environment for their young and avoid introducing aggressive tank mates.

NOTE: These shrimp are juveniles when sold and will be smaller than our other variations of Cherry Shrimp when you get them.  They will grow up to 1.75 inches.