Are only fish best for stocking in nano tanks? Many of the aquarists said YES. If that sounds like you, I want to tell you that shrimp can also help you make your aquarium the center of attention in the room.
Cherry shrimps are one of the best choices for aquarists for nano tanks around the globe. Their bright color makes the tank an eye-catchy spot in the entire space.
Here multiple questions arise i. e. how many cherry shrimp should be in a gallon, can they live in community tanks, what kind of tank is best for shrimp, and a lot more. To find accurate and quick answers, just read till the end of the article.
Cherry shrimp have become immensely popular among aquarium hobbyists in recent years. Their bright red coloration, peaceful temperament and ability to thrive in small tanks make them an excellent choice for nano aquariums. But a common question asked by cherry shrimp owners is how many can you keep per gallon?
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover the ideal cherry shrimp stocking density along with tips for setup, care and successfully maintaining a colony.
Overview of Cherry Shrimp
Before diving into stocking numbers, let’s cover some background on cherry shrimp.
-
Scientific Name: Neocaridina davidi
-
Native Habitat: Taiwan
-
Size: Up to 1.5 inches
-
Lifespan: 1-2 years
-
Diet: Omnivore – eats algae, biofilm, veggies
-
Temperament: Extremely peaceful
-
Care Level: Easy
Cherry shrimp thrive in planted tanks with stable water parameters. They have a very low bioload, so they can be kept at high densities relative to their small size.
How Many Cherry Shrimp Per Gallon?
The commonly recommended density is 1-5 cherry shrimp per gallon as a general guideline. However, you can successfully keep 10 or more shrimp per gallon with adequate filtration and supplementation. Here are some factors to consider:
Tank Size
- 5 gallon tank: Up to 20-30 shrimp
- 10 gallon tank: Up to 40-50 shrimp
- 20+ gallon tanks: Can add 10-15 extra shrimp per gallon
Tank Conditions
Tanks with lots of plants, moss, driftwood and biofilm can support more shrimp than sparse tanks. Offer plenty of hiding spots.
Filtration
Have robust filtration rated for a tank 2-3x larger than actual volume. Sponge filters are ideal.
Water Changes
To sustain high densities, perform 30% water changes 1-2 times per week and closely monitor parameters.
Supplements
Add minerals, calcium and protein sources to support growth and molting.
No Predators
Avoid housing cherry shrimp with fish that may eat them, especially young shrimp.
Following those guidelines, you can comfortably keep a high density cherry shrimp colony! Start with 10-15 shrimp for a 10 gallon tank, or 20-30 shrimp for a 20 gallon tank.
Cherry Shrimp Care Tips
To keep cherry shrimp healthy and thriving at high stocking densities, follow these care tips:
1. Use Fine Substrate
Sand or very fine gravel helps prevent trapped molts during growth. Avoid sharp substrates.
2. Plant Heavily
Plant heavily with moss like java or Christmas moss. Shrimp graze on biofilm and algae growing on plant surfaces. Floating plants also provide cover from above.
3. Stable Water Parameters
Maintain 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites, less than 20 ppm nitrates. Ideal pH between 6.5-7.5, temperature 72-78°F. Use RO or distilled water if tap water is unsuitable.
4. Supplement Food
In addition to algae and biofilm from plants, feed shrimp pellets, blanched veggies and calcium-rich foods like crushed coral or cuttlebone.
5. Weekly Water Changes
To prevent accumulation of nitrates, waste and molted shells, siphon the substrate and perform 30% water changes weekly.
6. Use Sponge Pre-Filters
Protect baby shrimp from getting sucked into filters. Use sponge pre-filters on the intake.
7. Cull Overcrowding
As the colony grows, cull and remove excess shrimp to prevent overcrowding issues. Selectively remove low quality or diseased shrimp.
Breeding & Population Growth
One reason hobbyists enjoy keeping cherry shrimp is watching the colony rapidly expand. Here’s an overview of their breeding and maturation:
-
Females breed every 4-6 weeks after reaching maturity.
-
Each breeding cycle produces 20-30 baby shrimp on average.
-
Babies mature to breeding size in 3-5 months.
-
With adequate space and food, the population can double every 2-3 months.
A starting group of 10-15 cherry shrimp can easily grow to 50-100 within 6 months if heavily planted tanks support maximum survival rates.
Troubleshooting Issues in High Density Tanks
When keeping high shrimp densities, watch for these potential issues and take corrective action:
-
Ammonia spikes – Increase water changes, don’t overfeed.
-
Aggression – Reduce density if shrimp fight for resources.
-
Molting problems – Supplement minerals, calcium for healthy molts.
-
Disease outbreaks – Quarantine new shrimp, improve water quality.
-
Cannibalism of babies – Provide more hiding spots with moss/plants.
How Many Cherry Shrimp For Your Tank?
To summarize, use these stocking density guidelines for cherry shrimp:
- 5 gallon tank: Up to 25 shrimp
- 10 gallon tank: Up to 50 shrimp
- 20 gallon tank: Up to 100 shrimp
- 30+ gallon tanks: 10-15 extra shrimp per gallon
Heavily planted tanks with strong filtration can support shrimp densities at the higher end of those ranges. Start with 10-15 shrimp, supplement their diet, and get ready to watch your colony multiply!
Can the cherry shrimps breed?
Yes, they have an excellent breeding ability. They start mating just before the starting of summer i. e. 79℉. They raise their race exponentially. It’s possible one day when you’ll wake up and your tank full of cherry shrimps.
How many shrimps per gallon?
Cherry shrimps are smaller i. e. female size is only 1cm, and males are even smaller than females. So you can stock even 100 shrimps in a 10-gallon aquarium. But fish tanks will exhibit as over-crowded.
But the optimum value for a 10-gallon tank is a maximum of 50 shrimps. So, you can stock about 2 to 5 shrimps per gallon.
How Many Red Cherry Shrimp Per Gallon? THE ONLY ANSWER YOU NEED!
How many cherry shrimp in a 5 gallon tank?
You can keep 5-10 cherry shrimp in a 5 gallon tank. Amano shrimp are more significant than cherry shrimp and need more space. You should only keep 2-3 amano shrimp in a 5 gallon tank. Other factors to consider when determining how many shrimp to keep in a 5 gallon tank include the following:
How many cherry shrimp can you keep in a tank?
It’s also important to leave the exoskeleton in the tank so the shrimp can consume it to replenish vital nutrients. Cherry shrimp can be kept at 2-5 individuals per gallon, with groups of at least 10 being ideal. Start your tank set up with a rocky substrate, such as small pebbles, to mimic their natural stream environment.
How many shrimp can you keep in a 5 gallon aquarium?
The number of different shrimp you can keep in a 5 gallon aquarium depends on the type of shrimp and the other tank mates you have. Generally, you can save 2-5 shrimp per gallon of water. Cherry shrimp are a popular choice for small tanks because they are relatively small and easy to care for. You can keep 5-10 cherry shrimp in a 5 gallon tank.
Do cherry shrimp need a lot of water?
Higher-grade Cherry shrimp need more stable/clean water conditions to thrive, while lower-grade shrimp can tolerate poorer water quality without becoming as stressed. Cherry shrimp care is simple and easy. These animals are very low maintenance and will thrive as long as you take care of their basics needs.