Complete Shrimp Keeping Guide 2026: Cherry, Amano & Beyond

Freshwater shrimp have revolutionized the aquarium hobby, offering vibrant colors, fascinating behaviors, and valuable algae-eating services. From the beginner-friendly Cherry Shrimp to the specialized Crystal Red Shrimp, these invertebrates add movement, color, and ecological balance to planted tanks. This comprehensive 2026 guide covers everything from basic care to advanced breeding techniques.

2026 Update: Neocaridina (Cherry Shrimp) color variants have expanded exponentially with new “fancy” patterns fetching premium prices. Caridina shrimp breeding has become more accessible with stable commercial lines. Amano shrimp remain the gold standard for algae control, though availability fluctuates seasonally.

Why Keep Shrimp?

Benefits of Freshwater Shrimp

Ecological Advantages:

• Algae control: Constant grazing on biofilm and algae
• Detritus removal: Clean up uneaten food and organic waste
• Biofilm cultivation: Their presence indicates healthy ecosystem
• Plant health: Remove dead plant matter
• Water quality: Low bioload compared to fish

Aesthetic Appeal:

• Vibrant colors: Reds, blues, yellows, greens
• Active behavior: Constant movement and foraging
• Breeding interest: Watch colonies grow
• Size appropriate: Perfect for nano to large tanks
• Peaceful nature: Community-safe invertebrates

Educational Value:

• Life cycles: Observe complete reproductive process
• Molting: Fascinating process to witness
• Social behavior: Colony dynamics
• Sensitivity: Excellent indicator species for water quality

Popular Shrimp Species

1. Cherry Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi)

The Starter Shrimp: Hardy, colorful, prolific breeders

Color Variants (2026 Prices):

• Red Cherry: $3-5 (original, most common)
• Sakura/Fire Red: $4-6 (deeper red)
• Painted Fire Red: $5-8 (intense solid red)
• Bloody Mary: $6-10 (translucent red)
• Blue Dream/Velvet: $5-10 (vivid blue)
• Blue Jelly: $4-8 (lighter blue)
• Yellow/Golden Back: $4-8 (bright yellow)
• Orange: $4-8 (vibrant orange)
• Green Jade: $5-10 (emerald green)
• Black Rose: $5-10 (dark/black)
• Rili variants: $6-12 (colorful patterns)
• Fancy/Mixed: $8-15 (unique patterns)

Specifications:

• Size: 1-1.5 inches
• Temperature: 65-80°F (optimal 72-76°F)
• pH: 6.5-8.0 (optimal 7.0-7.5)
• Hardness: 3-15 dGH
• Lifespan: 1-2 years
• Difficulty: Beginner
• Breeding: Easy, live young

Best For: Beginners, community tanks, breeding projects, algae control

2. Amano Shrimp (Caridina multidentata)

The Algae Specialist: Legendary algae-eating ability

Specifications:

• Size: 2-2.5 inches
• Temperature: 65-78°F
• pH: 6.5-7.5
• Hardness: 5-15 dGH
• Lifespan: 2-3 years
• Difficulty: Beginner-Intermediate
• Breeding: Requires brackish water for larvae

Special Notes:

• Best algae eater: Hair algae, green spot, general cleanup
• Larger size: Less likely to be eaten by small fish
• Brackish breeding: Cannot breed in freshwater
• Availability: Seasonal, sometimes hard to find
• Price: $4-8 each

Best For: Planted tanks, algae issues, community tanks with peaceful fish

3. Crystal Red Shrimp (Caridina cantonensis)

The High-End Showpiece: Stunning red and white patterns

Color Grades:

• C: 20-40% white (lowest grade)
• B: 40-60% white
• A: 60-80% white
• S: 80-90% white
• SS: 90-95% white
• SSS: 95%+ white (highest grade)

Specifications:

• Size: 1-1.2 inches
• Temperature: 68-74°F (optimal 70-72°F)
• pH: 5.8-6.8 (optimal 6.0-6.5)
• Hardness: 2-6 dGH
• Lifespan: 1-2 years
• Difficulty: Intermediate-Advanced
• Breeding: Moderate (sensitive to parameters)

Price Range:

• C grade: $5-10
• B-A grade: $10-20
• S-SSS grade: $20-100+

Best For: Dedicated shrimp tanks, experienced keepers, specialized parameters

4. Crystal Black Shrimp (Caridina cantonensis)

The Yin to CRS Yang: Black and white contrast

Specifications: Same as Crystal Red Price: Similar to CRS, sometimes slightly lower Difficulty: Intermediate-Advanced

5. Tiger Shrimp (Caridina mariae)

The Striped Beauty: Bold tiger striping

Variants:

• Regular Tiger: Orange/brown stripes
• Super Tiger: Enhanced striping
• Tangerine Tiger: Orange base
• Blue Tiger: Blue stripes
• Red Tiger: Red stripes

Specifications:

• Size: 1-1.5 inches
• Temperature: 68-76°F
• pH: 6.5-7.5
• Hardness: 4-12 dGH
• Difficulty: Intermediate
• Price: $6-15 depending on variant

6. Bee Shrimp (Caridina cantonensis var. “Bee”)

Classic Black and White: Traditional pattern

Specifications: Similar to Crystal Red/Black Price: $5-15 Difficulty: Intermediate

7. Ghost Shrimp (Palaemonetes paludosus)

The Budget Option: Clear, inexpensive, feeder alternative

Specifications:

• Size: 1.5-2 inches
• Temperature: 65-80°F
• pH: 7.0-8.0
• Hardness: 5-20 dGH
• Difficulty: Beginner
• Price: $0.50-2 each
• Lifespan: 1 year

Note: Often sold as feeders, hardier than reputation suggests

8. Bamboo Shrimp (Atyopsis moluccensis)

The Filter Feeder: Unique fan-feeding behavior

Specifications:

• Size: 3-4 inches
• Temperature: 72-78°F
• pH: 6.5-7.5
• Hardness: 3-15 dGH
• Difficulty: Intermediate
• Price: $8-15

Special Requirements:

• Filter feeding: Needs fine particles in water column
• No algae eating: Doesn’t clean surfaces
• Strong current: Position in flow
• Supplemental feeding: Powdered foods, microorganisms

Tank Setup for Shrimp

Minimum Tank Requirements

Species	Minimum	Recommended	Notes
Cherry Shrimp	5 gallons	10+ gallons	Colonies grow fast
Amano Shrimp	10 gallons	20+ gallons	Larger, more active
Crystal Shrimp	10 gallons	20+ gallons	Stable parameters crucial
Tiger Shrimp	10 gallons	20+ gallons	Room for colony growth
Bamboo Shrimp	20 gallons	30+ gallons	Needs flow and space

Essential Equipment

Filtration:

• Sponge filter: Shrimp-safe, excellent for biofilm
• Hang-on-back with pre-filter sponge: Prevents intake of babies
• Canister filter with sponge: Effective and safe
• Avoid: Strong currents (shrimp like calm areas)

Critical: All filter intakes MUST have sponge pre-filters. Baby shrimp are tiny and will be sucked into standard filters.

Heating:

• Adjustable heater: Required for most species
• Redundancy: Small tanks heat/cool rapidly
• Sizing: 25-50W for 5-10 gallons

Lighting:

• Moderate: Promotes algae and biofilm growth
• LED preferred: Less heat, controllable
• Duration: 8-10 hours (algae is food!)

Air Pump (Optional):

• Sponge filter needs air
• Gentle surface agitation: Oxygen exchange
• Not essential: With good filtration

Substrate Selection

For Cherry Shrimp (Neocaridina):

• Any inert substrate: Gravel, sand
• Active substrates: Optional, not necessary
• Dark colors: Enhance shrimp colors
• Smooth gravel: Protects delicate legs

For Crystal/Tiger Shrimp (Caridina):

• Active substrates REQUIRED: Buffer pH appropriately
• Recommended: ADA Amazonia, Fluval Stratum
• Alternative: Akadama (bonsai soil)
• pH buffering: Essential for Caridina species

For Amano Shrimp:

• Any substrate: Very adaptable
• Planted tank substrates: They thrive in planted tanks
• Hardscape-heavy: Provide climbing surfaces

Hardscape and Plants

Hardscape:

• Driftwood: Biofilm magnet, grazing surface
• Smooth rocks: Chasing surface
• Caves: Hiding spots, especially when molting
• Cholla wood: Shrimp favorite for grazing
• Almond leaves: Tannins, biofilm source

Essential Plants:

• Mosses: Java, christmas, peacock—shrimp heaven
• Anubias: Broad leaves for perching
• Java Fern: Biofilm collector
• Floating plants: Security, biofilm
• Cryptocoryne: Hiding spots
• Stem plants: Cover and foraging

Avoid:

• Strong fertilizers: Copper-based products toxic to shrimp
• Heavy CO2: Can cause pH swings
• Pesticides: Always buy “shrimp-safe” plants

Water Parameters

General Shrimp Parameters

Temperature by Species:

Species	Min	Optimal	Max
Cherry (Neocaridina)	65°F	72-76°F	80°F
Amano	65°F	70-75°F	78°F
Crystal (Caridina)	68°F	70-72°F	74°F
Tiger	68°F	72-74°F	76°F
Bamboo	72°F	74-76°F	78°F

pH Requirements:

• Neocaridina (Cherry): 6.5-8.0 (optimal 7.0-7.5)
• Caridina (Crystal/Tiger): 5.8-7.0 (optimal 6.0-6.5)
• Amano: 6.5-7.5 (optimal 7.0)

Hardness:

• GH (General Hardness):

  • Cherry: 4-15 dGH
  • Crystal: 2-6 dGH
  • Amano: 4-15 dGH

• KH (Carbonate Hardness):

  • Cherry: 2-8 dKH
  • Crystal: 0-4 dKH
  • Amano: 2-8 dKH

Critical Parameters:

• Ammonia: 0 ppm (extremely sensitive)
• Nitrite: 0 ppm
• Nitrate: <20 ppm (preferably <10)
• Copper: 0 ppm (toxic even in trace amounts)
• TDS (Total Dissolved Solids):
  • Cherry: 150-250 ppm
  • Crystal: 100-180 ppm
  • Amano: 150-300 ppm

Water Quality Management

Testing Schedule:

• Weekly: pH, ammonia, nitrites
• Bi-weekly: Nitrates, GH, KH
• Monthly: TDS, copper (if concerns)

Water Changes:

• Cherry/Amano: 25-30% weekly
• Crystal/Tiger: 10-20% weekly (prefer smaller changes)
• Always match parameters: Temperature, GH, pH
• Drip acclimate: When adding new shrimp

TDS Management:

• Top-off: Use RO or distilled water
• Replenish: Minerals with shrimp-specific products
• Monitor: TDS meter essential for Caridina

Feeding Shrimp

Natural Foods (Primary Diet)

Biofilm and Algae:

• Primary food source: Occurs naturally in established tanks
• Encouragement: Driftwood, rocks, mosses
• Benefits: Complete nutrition, constant availability
• Light management: Moderate light promotes biofilm

Decaying Plant Matter:

• Leaf litter: Indian almond leaves, oak leaves
• Vegetables: Decomposing plant matter in tank
• Benefits: Fiber, microorganisms

Supplemental Feeding

Commercial Shrimp Foods:

2026 Top Brands:

• Bacter AE: Biofilm enhancement
• Shrimp King: Complete foods (multiple varieties)
• GlasGarten: Premium foods
• Salty Shrimp: Mineral and food products
• Hikari: Shrimp Cuisine

Food Types:

• Complete diets: Daily staple
• Protein: 1-2x weekly for breeding
• Vegetable: 2-3x weekly
• Mineral: For shell development
• Snowflake: Soybean hulls, long-lasting

Vegetables:

• Blanched vegetables: Spinach, zucchini, cucumber
• Process: Boil 1-2 minutes, cool, add to tank
• Remove: After 24 hours
• Frequency: 2-3x weekly

Other Foods:

• Algae wafers: Occasional
• Repashy gel foods: Excellent nutrition
• Frozen foods: Small amounts (brine shrimp, daphnia)
• Leaf litter: Indian almond leaves (natural)

Feeding Schedule

Daily:

• Small pinch: Complete shrimp food
• Observation: Watch if they find it
• Remove uneaten: After 2-3 hours

Weekly Rotation:

• Monday: Complete food
• Tuesday: Blanched vegetable
• Wednesday: Complete food
• Thursday: Protein food
• Friday: Complete food
• Saturday: Mineral food
• Sunday: Snowflake or leaf litter

Important: Overfeeding is the #1 cause of shrimp problems. They primarily eat biofilm—supplemental feeding should be minimal.

Breeding Shrimp

Cherry Shrimp Breeding (Neocaridina)

Sexing:

• Females: Larger (1.2-1.5 inches), rounded underbelly, saddle (eggs visible through body)
• Males: Smaller (0.8-1 inch), slimmer, no saddle

Breeding Requirements:

• Stable parameters: No sudden changes
• Good water quality: 0 ammonia/nitrite
• Adequate food: Biofilm plus supplements
• Security: Plants, mosses, hiding spots
• Ratio: 1 male to 2-3 females optimal

The Breeding Process:

1. Mating:

• Female molts (releases pheromones)
• Male pursues female
• Fertilization occurs
• Happens constantly in healthy colonies

2. Egg Carrying (Berried):

• Eggs visible under tail (looks like berries—hence “berried”)
• 20-30 eggs typical
• Female fans eggs for oxygen
• Carries 2-3 weeks

3. Hatching:

• Fully formed miniature shrimp emerge
• No larval stage (unlike Amano)
• Immediately independent
• Hide in moss/plants initially

4. Colony Growth:

• Females mature at 3-4 months
• Each female breeds every 1-2 months
• Colonies double every 2-3 months
• 10 shrimp → 100+ in 6 months easily

Breeding Tips:

• Don’t separate: Breed naturally in community
• Let colony establish: Don’t remove babies
• Provide cover: Mosses essential for survival
• Feed appropriately: More food when population grows
• Cull selectively: Remove poor color/pattern if breeding for quality

Crystal/Tiger Shrimp Breeding (Caridina)

More Demanding:

• Strict parameters: pH and TDS critical
• Lower temperature: 70-72°F optimal
• Stable GH: 4-6 dGH for crystals
• Purity: No cross-contamination with Neocaridina

Process: Similar to Cherry Shrimp but more sensitive to water quality

Success Factors:

• Active substrate: Maintains proper pH
• TDS monitoring: Essential
• Minimal changes: 10% water changes
• Patience: May take time to establish
• Selective breeding: Higher grades need careful selection

Amano Shrimp Breeding (The Challenge)

Why It’s Difficult:

• Larvae require brackish water to develop
• Freshwater hatching results in undeveloped larvae
• Commercial Amanos are wild-caught

Simplified Breeding Process:

1. Spawning:

• Occurs in freshwater
• Female carries 1000-2000 eggs
• Eggs hatch as larvae (not miniature shrimp)

2. Larval Stage:

• Must transfer to brackish water (15-25 ppt salinity)
• Feed plankton/infusoria
• Duration: 30-45 days

3. Metamorphosis:

• Develop into miniature shrimp
• Gradually acclimate to freshwater
• Extremely challenging for home aquarists

Reality: 99% of Amano shrimp are wild-caught. Breeding at home requires dedicated brackish setup and is rarely successful for hobbyists.

Tank Mates and Compatibility

Safe Tank Mates

Best Fish Companions:

Top Tier (Completely Safe):

• Otocinclus catfish: Peaceful, similar size
• Pygmy Corydoras: Too small to eat shrimp
• Small rasboras: Ember, Chili, Strawberry
• Small tetras: Ember, Green Neon, small Cardinals
• Endlers/Guppies: Generally safe, may eat babies
• Dwarf Gourami: Peaceful, unlikely to hunt

Acceptable with Caution:

• Regular Corydoras: Usually safe, may eat babies
• Neon Tetras: Generally safe, some individual hunting
• Platies: Usually peaceful
• Mollies: Can be nippy
• Bettas: Individual temperament varies (some ignore, some hunt)

Fish to Avoid

Will Definitely Eat Shrimp:

• Any cichlids: Even “peaceful” dwarf cichlids
• Angelfish: Shrimp are food
• Goldfish: Will eat any shrimp they can catch
• Large tetras: Serpae, Congo, Bleeding Heart
• Barbs: Tiger, Cherry (nippy)
• Gouramis: Larger species (Pearl, Blue)
• Loaches: Most species hunt shrimp
• Larger Plecos: May eat shrimp

Risk Assessment:

• Cherry Shrimp: Breed fast enough to sustain some predation
• Amano Shrimp: Large enough for most community tanks
• Crystal Shrimp: Too valuable/expensive for risky tanks
• Bamboo Shrimp: Large enough to be safe

Invertebrate Tank Mates

Safe with Shrimp:

• Nerite snails: Excellent tank mates
• Mystery snails: Peaceful, different zone
• Ramshorn snails: May breed, but harmless
• Malaysian Trumpet Snails: Beneficial, nocturnal
• Other shrimp species: If parameters compatible

Caution:

• Crayfish: Will eat shrimp (avoid)
• Large snails: Can outcompete for food
• Carnivorous snails: Assassin snails may eat baby shrimp

Common Problems and Solutions

”My Shrimp Are Dying”

Immediate Checks:

1. Water parameters: Test ammonia, nitrite immediately
2. Copper: Any copper medications used?
3. pH swing: Recent water change?
4. Temperature: Heater malfunction?

Common Causes:

• Copper exposure: Medications, plant fertilizers, tap water
• Ammonia/nitrite: Uncycled or crashed tank
• pH crash: Active substrate exhausted
• Temperature swing: Failed heater or rapid change
• Predation: Check for missing shrimp

”Shrimp Not Breeding”

Possible Causes:

• Water too soft: Check GH (especially for Neocaridina)
• Poor nutrition: Increase biofilm and protein
• Predation: Babies being eaten
• Unstable parameters: Fluctuating temperature/pH
• Not enough time: New colony needs 2-3 months to establish

Solutions:

• Test GH: Add minerals if too low
• Add leaf litter: Natural food and tannins
• Check hiding spots: Ensure plenty of moss
• Verify sexes: Need both males and females
• Patience: Shrimp colonies take time

”White Ring of Death”

Description: White band around shrimp body, failed molt

Cause: Calcium/mineral deficiency, GH too low

Solution:

• Increase GH: Add minerals (Wonder Shell, Salty Shrimp)
• Feed mineral supplement: Shrimp-specific mineral foods
• Add cuttlebone: Natural calcium source
• Check TDS: Ensure adequate dissolved solids

”Shrimp Hiding All the Time”

Normal Behavior:

• New shrimp: Hide for first few days
• Molting: Hide 24-48 hours during molt
• Lighting: Too bright?

Concerning:

• Water quality issues: Test immediately
• Predators: Check for hunting fish
• Parameter swings: Recent changes?

”Algae is Gone but Shrimp Seem Hungry”

Explanation: Shrimp eat biofilm, not just visible algae

Solution:

• Bacter AE: Supplement biofilm
• Add driftwood: Promotes biofilm
• Don’t overclean: Some algae is food
• Feed appropriately: Small amounts of quality food

Advanced Shrimp Keeping

Selective Breeding

For Neocaridina Color Enhancement:

Culling:

• Remove low-color specimens: Sell or separate
• Keep best coloration: Breed from best specimens
• Isolate new colors: Separate variant lines
• Generational improvement: Each generation should improve

Line Breeding:

• Pure lines: Maintain color purity
• Cross-breeding: Create new variants (results unpredictable)
• Record keeping: Track parentage for quality control

CRS/CBS Grading

Improving Grades:

• Start with higher grades: S grade minimum
• Selective breeding: Only breed best patterns
• Cull heavily: Remove low-grade offspring
• Patience: Takes multiple generations

Cross-breeding:

• CRS × CBS: Produces Pinto patterns
• Tigers × Bees: Various Taiwan Bee patterns
• Advanced: Requires extensive knowledge

Shrimp-Specific Equipment

TDS Meter ($15-30):

• Essential for Caridina keeping
• Monitor mineral content
• Track evaporation vs. mineral accumulation

Shrimp-Safe Filter:

• Sponge filter: Best for shrimp tanks
• Pre-filter sponges: Essential for other filters
• Intake guards: Stainless steel or sponge

Shrimp Net:

• Fine mesh: Regular nets injure shrimp
• Soft material: Prevents damage
• Small size: Easier to maneuver

Cost Analysis

Cherry Shrimp Starter Setup (10 Gallons)

Item	Cost
Tank	$20-40
Sponge filter + air pump	$25-40
Heater	$15-25
Light (basic LED)	$20-40
Substrate	$15-30
Hardscape	$20-40
Plants	$30-50
10 Cherry Shrimp	$30-50
Food	$15-25
Test kit	$25-35
Total	$215-375

Crystal Shrimp Setup (20 Gallons)

Item	Cost
Tank	$40-80
Filter	$50-100
Heater	$20-30
Light	$50-100
Active substrate	$60-100
Hardscape	$30-60
Plants	$40-80
10 CRS (mixed grades)	$80-150
Food	$30-50
TDS meter	$20-30
Test kits	$50-80
Minerals	$20-30
Total	$490-790

Ongoing Costs (Monthly)

Cherry Shrimp:

• Food: $5-10
• Occasional plants: $10-20
• Minerals: $5
• Total: $20-35

Crystal Shrimp:

• Food: $10-20
• Minerals: $10-15
• Test supplies: $5-10
• Total: $25-45

Conclusion

Freshwater shrimp keeping offers an engaging, colorful, and ecologically beneficial addition to any aquarium. From the forgiving Cherry Shrimp perfect for beginners to the demanding but rewarding Crystal Red Shrimp, there’s a species for every skill level and interest.

Key Takeaways:

• Start with Cherry or Amano shrimp for beginners
• Maintain stable water parameters above all else
• Copper is lethal—even in trace amounts
• Biofilm is their primary food source
• Successful breeding happens naturally in good conditions
• Patience is essential—colonies take time to establish
• Pre-filter sponges are non-negotiable

The sight of a thriving shrimp colony with females carrying eggs, babies exploring moss jungles, and the constant activity of these colorful invertebrates brings a unique dimension to aquarium keeping that fish-only tanks cannot match.

---

Last Updated: January 2026
Next Review: July 2026
This guide reflects current shrimp keeping practices and best practices as of 2026.