🐠Cherry shrimp: gear and buying guides

The cherry shrimp is a small, hardy and prolific freshwater invertebrate, perfect for a nano tank of 20 L or more. It tolerates a wide range of 18 to 25 °C, often without a heater, but remains extremely sensitive to copper and medications. In colonies, it tirelessly cleans micro-algae off moss and decor.

Profile : 2 to 3 cm as an adult, 20 L minimum for a colony of 10, water between 18 and 25 °C.

Cherry shrimp gear, family by family

• 🍖 Food

  A detritivore grazing biofilm and micro-algae, supplemented two to three times a week with dedicated shrimp granules and blanched nettle or spinach leaves. Never overfeed a shrimp tank.

• 🧴 Care & grooming

  Copper is lethal even in tiny doses: ban any fertilizer or medication containing it. Moderately hard, stable water supports its molts, the moment when it is most vulnerable.

• 🎾 Toys & enrichment

  Java moss, marimo balls and catappa leaves multiply grazing surfaces. Hiding places are vital for freshly molted females and juveniles.

• 🏠 Bedding & habitat

  A nano tank of 20 L or more, well matured and densely mossy, kept species-only or with peaceful micro-fish. Almost all medium-sized fish eat the juveniles.

• 🧳 Travel & safety

  Transport in a bag with a strand of moss to cling to; it travels very well. One-hour drip acclimation is mandatory, as parameter shocks trigger fatal molts.

• 🧰 Accessories

  A sponge filter or an intake guard on the pump to avoid sucking in juveniles, GH/KH tests and a drip acclimation kit. A complete nano tank can be equipped for around 50 to 100 euros.

Guides to read

• 60-litre aquarium kit: the full beginner budget with no nasty surprisesBedding & habitat

  How much does a 60-litre aquarium kit really cost? The full start-up budget, item by item: equipped tank, substrate, decor, water tests and consumables.

• Nano shrimp tank: the essential equipment to start off rightBedding & habitat

  What equipment does a nano shrimp tank need? Volume, gentle filtration, the right substrate and a full budget: the complete checklist for keeping Neocaridina.

• Betta tank of 20-30 litres: the ideal setup, step by stepBedding & habitat

  How do you set up a 20 to 30 litre betta tank? Low-flow filtration, heating, resting plants and a lid: the ideal setup explained in detail.

• Garden pond for goldfish: volume, equipment and budgetBedding & habitat

  How do you build a garden pond for goldfish? Minimum volume, frost-free depth, filtration and predator protection: the complete guide with budget.

• RO units and reverse osmosis water in aquariums: who actually needs it?Care & grooming

  Is reverse osmosis water essential for an aquarium? Find out who really needs an RO unit, how to remineralize and what budget to plan (unit or jerrycan).

• Water conditioner and starter bacteria: essential or just marketing?Care & grooming

  Water conditioner and starter bacteria: what do they actually do? Chlorine, heavy metals, faster cycling: what to buy and what to skip.

• Fertilizer and CO2 for aquarium plants: start simple, skip the lab setupToys & enrichment

  Do aquarium plants need fertilizer and CO2? The simple starter method: liquid fertilizer, easy plants, and when injected CO2 actually becomes worthwhile.

• Driftwood and rocks for aquariums: which ones are safe for your fish?Toys & enrichment

  Which driftwood and rocks are safe in an aquarium? Tannin-releasing woods, limestone rocks to avoid, the vinegar test and preparation: the complete guide.