The Grade AA Red Cherry Shrimp is a popular color variation of the wild Neocaridina heteropoda shrimp species. This color variety was first bred in Germany, and it became available in the US in the late 1990s. These shrimp have a lifespan of 1-2 years, and when fully grown, they reach a size of 1. 75 inches. These are available for purchase at a size of 0. 75-1 inch.
The Red Cherry Shrimp is the red color variation of the wild Neocaridina heteropoda. This color variation was first bred in Germany. In the late 1990s, it began to show up in the United States.
Cherry shrimp are one of the most popular freshwater aquarium shrimp. Their bright red coloration and peaceful nature make them a delight to keep. But where can you find healthy cherry shrimp for your tank? In this article, we’ll cover the top 5 best places to buy cherry shrimp online and in-store.
Cherry shrimp also known as red cherry shrimp or RCS are a vibrantly colored variant of the Neocaridina davidi species. They were first bred in Taiwan around 1990 and have become ubiquitous in the aquarium trade.
These petite shrimp reach an adult size of 1-2 inches They exhibit sexual dimorphism, with females displaying a deeper red hue while males tend to be more transparent.
Cherry shrimp thrive in planted tanks with gentle water flow and lots of hiding spots. They have very low bioload and are excellent tank cleaners. A group of 10 is recommended for a 10 gallon tank.
When keeping cherry shrimp, optimal water parameters are:
- Temperature: 68-78°F
- pH: 6.5-7.5
- KH: 3-8
- GH: 6-12
Now let’s dive into the top places to buy healthy cherry shrimp online and in pet stores near you.
1. Flip Aquatics
Flip Aquatics is a trusted online retailer for buying cherry shrimp. They offer packs of 10 or 20 juveniles or adults at competitive prices.
All their shrimp are domestically bred and ready to thrive in home aquariums. Each shrimp undergoes a 30 day quarantine period before shipping out to customers.
Their shrimp are high-grade Sakura and Painted Fire Red varieties with deep, saturated colors. Every order comes with a 100% live delivery guarantee.
Flip Aquatics has fantastic customer service and the shrimp are packaged with care for safe transit. Overall an excellent option for purchasing cherry shrimp online.
2. Your Local Aquarium Store
Stopping by your local independently-owned aquarium store is a great way to pick up cherry shrimp. Most stores carry at least a basic red cherry shrimp stock.
The advantage of buying shrimp locally is you can pick out specific individuals and acclimate them slowly at home. No shipping stress!
Ask the aquatics staff questions about their shrimp varieties, sources, and quarantine procedures. Make sure the shrimp in stock look active and healthy with no dead individuals.
The drawback of small pet stores is they may have a limited shrimp selection. But supporting local businesses keeps money in your community.
3. Petco
Petco is a larger retail chain that sells cherry shrimp both online and in their brick-and-mortar stores. As a big box store, they can offer lower prices but may lack specialized knowledge or shrimp varieties.
The quality of Petco shrimp can be hit or miss depending on the individual store. Always inspect shrimp before purchasing and be prepared to quarantine. Their livestock shipments can be stressed or carry pathogens.
Ordering Petco shrimp online reduces risks since they come from centralized distribution centers with more controlled conditions. Overall Petco is an affordable option for cherry shrimp, but research your local store’s reputation first.
4. Aqua Huna
Aqua Huna is a popular online shrimp retailer that imports and breeds high-quality Neocaridina davidi shrimp.
They offer red cherry shrimp packages from 10 to 100+ individuals at reasonable prices. You can also find rarer variants like black rose and blue velvet shrimp.
All shrimp are quarantined before shipping out. DOA policies guarantee your shrimp arrive alive and healthy. Aqua Huna has reliably good reviews and many repeat customers.
The main drawback is that as an importer, there is some variability in shrimp sizes and color intensity. But their massive selection makes up for it.
5. Your Local Fish Breeder
Dedicated fish and shrimp hobbyist breeders can offer the highest grade, home-raised shrimp. The challenge is finding a local breeder in your area.
Good places to start searching are:
- Local aquarium society forums
- Facebook groups for aquarists in your city
- Aquarium stores – ask staff for breeder contacts
- Reddit groups like r/AquaSwap
- Apps like Nextdoor
Once connected with a breeder, you can visit their facility and hand-select the exact shrimp you want. This results in the least shipping stress and healthiest options.
The tradeoff is smaller operations may have limited availability. But supporting small-scale local breeders gives you the best quality shrimp.
Setting up a Cherry Shrimp Tank
Once you’ve selected a healthy source for cherry shrimp, it’s time to setup the perfect tank for them to thrive. Here’s a quick guide:
- Tank Size: 5-20 gallons
- Substrate: Fine sand or aquasoil
- Plants: Moss, anubias, floating plants, ferns
- Hardscape: Driftwood, rocks, cholla wood
- Filter: Sponge filter preferred
- Heater: Optional, depends on room temperature
Maintain pristine water quality with small, frequent water changes. Supplement their diet with sinking pellets and blanched veggies.
With the right tank conditions, a small starter colony of cherry shrimp will breed prolifically. Soon you’ll have a vibrant red swarm keeping your tank spotless!
Finding the Best Cherry Shrimp
Now you know where to find high-quality cherry shrimp locally or online. Follow best practices for acclimating and quarantining new shrimp. Then sit back and enjoy the antics of these Captivating crustaceans.
Let us know your favorite place to buy cherry shrimp and any tips for keeping them in the comments!
How big do Red Cherry Shrimp get?
The females can reach up to around 1.6″/4 cm, while the males stay a bit smaller.
The Shrimp Farm’s Water Parameters
pH Range: 7.0-7.6
Temperature Range: 72-76 °F
GH Range: 7-9
KH Range: 3-4
TDS Range: 175-250
Feeding Red Cherry Shrimp: https://www.theshrimpfarm.com/articles/cherry-shrimp-feeding.php
5 Essential Red Cherry Shrimp Buying Tips – WATCH THIS BEFORE YOU BUY YOUR NEXT SHRIMP!
What is a cherry shrimp?
Cherry shrimp also known as Red Cherry shrimp (neocaridina heteropoda is their scientific name), are an active group of freshwater invertebrates that are naturally found in the streams and ponds of Taiwan. They are a small freshwater shrimp (or dwarf shrimp) of the family atyidae that is a popular species within the freshwater aquarium community.
Where can I buy freshwater shrimp?
The Algae Clean Up Crew: Includes Fish, Snails, and Shrimp! Buy Freshwater Shrimp online in the US. Aquatic Arts offers collections of freshwater shrimps for your aquarium. Order Now & Get Next Day Delivery in the US.
Do red cherry shrimp grow in freshwater aquariums?
The Red Cherry Shrimp have gained popularity thanks to their large appetite for all kinds of freshwater algae. These highly adaptable shrimp do well in any freshwater aquarium with good filtration and water quality. However, Red Cherry Shrimp will thrive in planted aquariums where food and shelter are abundant.
What size is a red cherry shrimp?
These are available for purchase at a size of 0.75-1 inch. The Red Cherry Shrimp is the red color variation of the wild Neocaridina heteropoda. This color variation was originally bred in Germany and started to appear in The United States in the late 1990’s. Red Cherry Shrimp are non-aggressive and are quite active.