Fire shrimp
Fire shrimp or Cherry shrimp or as the Latin name Neocaridina Davidi Red Cherry are perhaps the easiest shrimp to keep. They reproduce effortlessly and survive in a variety of conditions. An ideal shrimp for beginners.
Fire shrimp information
This shrimp species is not demanding at all. They feel at home in hard and soft water. They are also very tolerant of temperature and pH. They are strong animals and you can hardly go wrong. Naturally, it is the job of the caretaker of these animals to make them feel as comfortable as possible. An optimal pH is between 6.8 and 7.5. The temperature is ideally between 20 and 23°C. Another reason for the popularity of Fire Shrimp is that they are excellent scavengers. They actively contribute to combating algae.
Appearance
Fire Shrimp (Neocaridina Davidi Red Cherry) are a mutation of the brown-colored ones found in the wild. Fire shrimp have a red tinge. The legs are often colorless and part of the body is also transparent. At higher grades, such as the Red Sakura, there is more red present. These variants were created through selective breeding for color intensity. This makes fire shrimp less noticeable. Something that can be desirable for the enthusiast who does not want to be distracted too much by the bright red in the aquarium. Ultimately, adult animals can reach a size of 4cm. They usually remain a bit smaller and grow to around 2cm. Females grow larger than males and are more intensely colored. In addition, females have a broader body. In fire shrimp, a so-called "saddle" is often clearly visible on the females. These will later become eggs.
Housing
These shrimp are easy to keep and don't need much. The aquarium should be at least 15 liters in size. Shelters are greatly appreciated. This can be in the form of plants, wood, stones or other crevices that they can crawl between. Moss and plants with fine leaves in their environment will make them feel safe. Plants present will make the water quality more pleasant for them. In the moss they can search to their heart's content for food and shelter.
Behavior and fellow residents
Shrimp are real group animals. They use the presence of others of their own kind for a sense of security. So preferably always keep more than 10 copies together. They are almost constantly searching for food. Everything they walk over is picked off. They do not interfere with other fish and are very peaceful. They can therefore be kept with all other aquarium animals without any problems. The other way around is not always a good idea. Due to their small size, they can serve as food for larger fish species. Be careful with fish whose mouths are large enough to fit a shrimp. Bettas, Chichlids, Gouramis, large tetras and large barbels are not a good match. If they were not eaten, they could live to be about 2 years old.
Power supply
As mentioned, fire shrimp are constantly searching surfaces. Algae and other edible substances from the biofilm are eaten. They leave plants alone. Additional feeding is desirable if there are relatively many shrimps in the aquarium. This can be done, for example, with sticks, granules or pads from our range of shrimp food. Catappa leaves, Walnut leaves and other natural materials can also be added. Cooked vegetables such as carrots and spinach will also appeal. Keep in mind that they are small animals with small stomachs. Feeding too much is not desirable.
Breeding Fire Shrimp
Breeding fire shrimp is very simple. It doesn't really require anything special. However, an ideal temperature is 25°C. To help start the mating process, you can refresh with cooler water. A female can carry 30-50 eggs. The eggs develop under the mother's abdomen, after which young animals are released after 1 to 1.5 months. These young animals are very small and vulnerable. A good biofilm in the aquarium or fine dust food provides them with nutrition. Because they are so small, they can easily be sucked into the filter. Always apply protection around the suction of the filter. For example with a sponge or pantyhose. Baby shrimp are very delicate and a meal for all fish. This is an additional reason to provide sufficient shelter. After about 3 months the shrimp are sexually mature and can start caring for new young themselves.
