how many cherry shrimp in a 10 gallon tank

Finding the Sweet Spot – Stocking Cherry Shrimp in a 10 Gallon Tank

As an enthusiastic cherry shrimp keeper, one of the most common questions I get from fellow aquarists is “how many cherry shrimp can I add to my 10 gallon tank?” While there’s no single definitive number, through trial and error over the years I’ve found a range that provides these colorful little critters with ample space to thrive.

In this article, I’ll share my experiences and tips on ideal cherry shrimp stocking levels for a 10 gallon freshwater tank. We’ll look at factors like tank size, filtration, tank mates, and more to help you settle on the perfect population for your setup. Let’s dive in!

The General Guideline – 10-15 Shrimp per Gallon

Most experienced cherry shrimp keepers agree that a good starting point is 10-15 shrimp per gallon in a 10 gallon tank, This translates to

• 100 shrimp for a 10 gallon
• 150 shrimp for a 10 gallon with heavy planting

This density provides adequate swimming room and resources for the shrimp while accounting for their small bioload. It allows for a thriving colony without taxing the filtration system.

I’ve found this range to be a safe baseline for my moderately planted 10 gallon housing cherry shrimps alone. However, the ideal number still depends on other aspects of your specific tank.

Factors Impacting Shrimp Stocking Density

Here are some key factors to consider that can allow you to adjust shrimp numbers beyond the general guideline:

1. Presence of live plants – Planted tanks support higher shrimp loads thanks to biofiltration and infrequent water changes Slow growing plants are preferable to fast growing stems

2. Hiding spots – Shrimp feel secure with ample moss, rocks, driftwood. This promotes natural behavior and reduces stress from territorial disputes.

3. Tank maintenance – Meticulous tank maintenance involving substrate vacuuming and frequent 10-20% water changes supports a higher density.

4. Filtration capacity – Having a high quality filter or using double filtration gives beneficial bacteria room to colony, reducing buildup of waste materials.

5. Supplemental feeding – If you actively feed blanched veggies, biofilm boosters and calcium rich foods, the bioload capacity goes up. Observe intake and adjust feeding accordingly.

6. Tank mates – The presence of fish or predatory tank mates means lowering shrimp numbers to avoid aggression at molting time.

7. Surface area – The more surface area from decor, hardscape and plants, the more room for shrimp grazing and hiding.

Considering these influencing factors, you can comfortably house additional shrimp beyond the standard 10-15 per gallon range. Hardy cherry shrimp continuously bred in captivity can thrive at densities up to 50-60 per gallon or even higher in a mature, finely tuned planted tank.

My Cherry Shrimp Stocking Experience

Over the years, I’ve experimented with housing cherry shrimp at various densities in my 10 gallon tank. Here’s what my experience has been:

Initial stocking:

• Added 20 medium juvenile cherry shrimp from the local fish store to establish my starter colony. This allowed them time to settle in and start breeding before increasing numbers.

Slow expansion:

• Once the original shrimp began breeding, juvenile numbers reached around 60-70 within 2 months. Things remained stable through their growth phase with no issues.

Maxing it out:

• I then added another 50 mixed size cherries over 2 weeks to experiment with higher densities. Peak population hit around 130-140. While doable, I found this pushed the limits of a basic sponge filter setup with 2 medium plants.

Scaling back:

• Through attrition and culling, I’m currently maintaining long term levels at 90-100 cherry shrimp of mixed ages. This seems to be a comfortable range in my moderately planted 10 gallon tank with weekly 15% water changes and an Aquaclear 20 filter.

Based on this, I recommend starting with 15-20 shrimp in a new 10 gallon and allowing the population to slowly build up through breeding till you find the ideal density for your setup. Avoid sudden large spikes in bioload from adding too many shrimp at once.

Maximizing Health & Behavior in a Cherry Shrimp Colony

Managing water parameters well is crucial, but creating an enriching environment also contributes immensely to shrimp health and activity levels in a 10 gallon tank. Here are some tips:

• Use a fine substrate like ADA aquasoil to allow grazing and natural foraging
• Add cholla wood, alder cones and almond leaves for microorganisms to colonize
• Arrange smooth rocks and driftwood to create caves and tunnel swim paths
• Plant heavily with mosses tied to wood or rocks for overhead cover
• Let some brown algae and biofilm accumulate on surfaces for picks
• Supplement their diet with calcium sources like spinach, kale and snail jellies
• Use shallow plastic trays filled with blanched veggies to encourage communal feeding
• Introduce floating plants like duckweed or salvina to provide shaded areas and reduce aggression
• Check water parameters weekly and aim for 0 ammonia & nitrites with <20 ppm nitrates
• Perform twice weekly 10-15% water changes for a heavily stocked tank

Following these measures, I’m able to enjoy the charming antics of a bustling cherry colony in my small planted tank. The shrimp actively explore every nook and cranny while exhibiting their natural behaviors.

Tank Mates for Cherry Shrimp

Cherry shrimp are peaceful creatures that can thrive alongside suitable small tank mates in a 10 gallon community tank. Here are some compatible options:

• Ember tetras, chili rasboras – Small, peaceful schooling fish
• Dwarf corydoras like hastatus and habrosus – Bottom dwellers, tend to ignore shrimp
• Snails like nerites and rabbit snails – Coexist peacefully, manage algae growth
• Amano shrimp – Larger algae eating shrimp, may spar occasionally
• Most dwarf shrimp like crystals and tigers – Peaceful cohabitation

When picking tank mates, avoid known shrimp predators like bettas and cichlids. Slow moving fish like guppies may also nip at young shrimp. Introduce tank mates gradually and provide plenty of plant cover.

If housing cherry shrimp alone, you can safely accommodate higher numbers without worrying about aggression. Culling excess numbers helps maintain stable populations.

Getting the Most Out of a 10 Gallon Cherry Tank

Setting up a thriving 10 gallon cherry shrimp colony does require some trial and error. But once established, it can provide endless hours of entertainment watching their colorful antics. Ensure optimal conditions and these hardy shrimp will readily breed to fill up available space.

Use the guideline of 10-15 shrimp per gallon as your starting point. Then fine tune according to your tank’s footprint, filtration capacity and aquascaping to settle at the ideal stocking level. Maintain stable water parameters, provide a naturalistic environment, and supplement their diet to enable cherry shrimp to thrive.