Description

Cherry Shrimp (Neocaridina heteropoda) are small freshwater atyid shrimp that are an interesting addition to the aquarium. Providing they are housed with plenty of cover such as plants in order for them to avoid predatory fish, they will thrive in an aquarium. These Shrimp are both hardy and useful, as they will eat any left over food and graze on algae.

Their common name of Cherry Shrimp is reflective of their characteristic red colour, although they vary from a pale pink through to the bright red you see here, often depending on the background against which they are placed. Females (pictured here) are usually more brightly coloured than males.

Females are more red than males. The darker the aquarium background the darker red the Shrimp will become.