Shrimp Name: Red Cherry Shrimp/RCS (Neocaridina heteropoda ‘Red’) (High Order)

Origin: Taiwan

Characteristics/ Habits: I am a beginner level dwarf shrimp. Females tend to have an intense red color that Cherry shrimp are known for. Males have a faded, if not transparent red coloration. I am pretty hardy and easy to keep. My intense red color is mesmerizing. I am active and fun to watch. I prefer a well planted tank especially Java moss. Not only do I effectively clean algae in aquariums, but I also clean up any excess fish food on the bottom of a tank. For those aquarists that complain about an algae plague, I will do my best to keep it in check. I am an omnivore as are most shrimp. (Shrimp Keeper: I once fed them an earthworm and it had vanished by the next day).

Water Parameters: First and foremost I would like to bring something to your attention; please DO NOT put ANY medication that has copper elements in my water as this is hazardous to my health and will lead to my demise. NO fertilizers. I adjust well to any type of water temperatures, but I prefer moderate conditions. Temperature ranges between 75^o – 80^o with pH 7.0

Sexing: Females have bright red coloring and are larger in size than their male counterparts. Males have a blended see through appearance.

Breeding: I am one of the most prolific dwarf shrimp in the hobby. Clean water is must for all shrimp, lots of plants and temperatures averaging 27 degrees. Berried females have either green or yellow eggs. My young are miniature adults when born. There is no planktonic larvae stage. Females are always ready to go after giving birth and have been termed ‘automatic breeding machines’. It is exceptionally easy to breed, as no special care is required for my young, except maybe for some frequent water changes to keep me comfortable and super reddish. My young are particularly vulnerable to smaller fish species, such as tetras. So if you are interested in breeding me (or even just seeing them more often), I am best kept I my own tank.

Compatibility: We are a peaceful species and should therefore not be housed together with bigger or more aggressive fish. Suitable tank mates should include some small fish like guppies, snails or tetras. I SHOULD NOT be housed with these shrimp as it may lead to cross breeding, in simple words that you can understand; we are in-com-pa-ti-b-le: (Nectarine), Neocaridina H., Snowball, Yellow, Blue Pearl and Blue shrimp.