shrimp · freshwater

Cherry Shrimp: adult size, tank size & tankmates

The Cherry Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi) grows to about 1.6 in (4 cm TL). It needs a tank at least about 10 gallons. Keep at least 10 together, at 65–82°F.

Try it in the tank builder See tankmates

How big it really gets

Drawn to scale against common tank lengths. Green bars meet the minimum tank length from our sources.

Will it fit your tank?

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Quick facts

Adult size: 1.6 in (4 cm TL)
Minimum tank: about 10 gallons
Temperature: 65–82°F
pH: 6.5–8
Hardness: 6–14 dGH
Group size: 10+
With other fish: peaceful
With its own kind: peaceful
Swims: all levels
Diet: omnivore
Care level: beginner
Lifespan: 1 years

Cherry Shrimp tankmates

Checked with the same rules as our tank builder: temperature overlap, pH and hardness, predation and mouth size, fin-nipping and temperament. Tank size is left out here; check it in the builder.

Good tankmates

Use caution

Avoid

All 105 species we checked against the Cherry Shrimp

Species	Verdict	Why
Amano Shrimp	Compatible	No conflicts found
Assassin Snail	Compatible	No conflicts found
Bamboo Shrimp	Compatible	No conflicts found
Bristlenose Pleco	Compatible	No conflicts found
Chili Rasbora	Compatible	No conflicts found
Clown Pleco	Compatible	No conflicts found
Common Pleco	Compatible	No conflicts found
Crystal Red Shrimp	Compatible	No conflicts found
Ghost Shrimp	Compatible	No conflicts found
Hillstream Loach	Compatible	No conflicts found
Japanese Trapdoor Snail	Compatible	No conflicts found
Malaysian Trumpet Snail	Compatible	No conflicts found
Nerite Snail	Compatible	No conflicts found
Otocinclus	Compatible	No conflicts found
Peppered Cory	Compatible	No conflicts found
Pygmy Cory	Compatible	No conflicts found
Ramshorn Snail	Compatible	No conflicts found
Sterbai Cory	Compatible	No conflicts found
African Dwarf Frog	Caution	African Dwarf Frog may eat baby Cherry Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets.
Black Neon Tetra	Caution	Black Neon Tetra may eat baby Cherry Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets.
Bleeding Heart Tetra	Caution	Bleeding Heart Tetra may eat baby Cherry Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets.
Bolivian Ram	Caution	Bolivian Ram may eat baby Cherry Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets.
Bronze Cory	Caution	Bronze Cory may eat baby Cherry Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets.
Bumblebee Goby	Caution	Bumblebee Goby may eat baby Cherry Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets.
Cardinal Tetra	Caution	Cardinal Tetra may eat baby Cherry Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets.
Celestial Pearl Danio	Caution	Celestial Pearl Danio may eat baby Cherry Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets.
Cherry Barb	Caution	Cherry Barb may eat baby Cherry Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets.
Clown Killifish	Caution	Clown Killifish may eat baby Cherry Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets.
Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid	Caution	Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid may eat baby Cherry Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets.; Cherry Shrimp (pH 6.5–8) and Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid (pH 5–6) prefer different pH.
Diamond Tetra	Caution	Diamond Tetra may eat baby Cherry Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets.
Discus	Caution	Discus may eat baby Cherry Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets.; Cherry Shrimp (6–14 dGH) and Discus (0–5 dGH) prefer different water hardness.
Dwarf Gourami	Caution	Dwarf Gourami may eat baby Cherry Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets.
Dwarf Neon Rainbowfish	Caution	Dwarf Neon Rainbowfish may eat baby Cherry Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets.
Ember Tetra	Caution	Ember Tetra may eat baby Cherry Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets.
Endler's Livebearer	Caution	Endler's Livebearer may eat baby Cherry Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets.; Cherry Shrimp (6–14 dGH) and Endler's Livebearer (15–35 dGH) prefer different water hardness.
Forktail Blue-eye	Caution	Forktail Blue-eye may eat baby Cherry Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets.; Cherry Shrimp (6–14 dGH) and Forktail Blue-eye (15–30 dGH) prefer different water hardness.
German Blue Ram	Caution	Cherry Shrimp and German Blue Ram only share 81–82°F. That's a tight window.; German Blue Ram may eat baby Cherry Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets.
Giant Danio	Caution	Giant Danio may eat baby Cherry Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets.
Glass Catfish	Caution	Glass Catfish may eat baby Cherry Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets.
Glowlight Tetra	Caution	Glowlight Tetra may eat baby Cherry Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets.
Gold Barb	Caution	Gold Barb may eat baby Cherry Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets.
Guppy	Caution	Guppy may eat baby Cherry Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets.
Harlequin Rasbora	Caution	Harlequin Rasbora may eat baby Cherry Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets.
Head-and-tail-light Tetra	Caution	Head-and-tail-light Tetra may eat baby Cherry Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets.
Honey Gourami	Caution	Honey Gourami may eat baby Cherry Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets.
Julii Cory	Caution	Julii Cory may eat baby Cherry Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets.
Kissing Gourami	Caution	Kissing Gourami may eat baby Cherry Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets.
Kribensis	Caution	Kribensis may eat baby Cherry Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets.
Kuhli Loach	Caution	Kuhli Loach may eat baby Cherry Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets.
Lambchop Rasbora	Caution	Lambchop Rasbora may eat baby Cherry Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets.
Lemon Tetra	Caution	Lemon Tetra may eat baby Cherry Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets.
Marbled Hatchetfish	Caution	Marbled Hatchetfish may eat baby Cherry Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets.
Molly	Caution	Molly may eat baby Cherry Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets.; Cherry Shrimp (6–14 dGH) and Molly (15–30 dGH) prefer different water hardness.
Mystery Snail	Caution	Cherry Shrimp (pH 6.5–8) and Mystery Snail (pH unknown) prefer different pH.; Cherry Shrimp (6–14 dGH) and Mystery Snail (unknown dGH) prefer different water hardness.
Neon Tetra	Caution	Neon Tetra may eat baby Cherry Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets.
Odessa Barb	Caution	Odessa Barb may eat baby Cherry Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets.
Panda Cory	Caution	Panda Cory may eat baby Cherry Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets.
Pearl Danio	Caution	Pearl Danio may eat baby Cherry Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets.
Pearl Gourami	Caution	Pearl Gourami may eat baby Cherry Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets.
Penguin Tetra	Caution	Penguin Tetra may eat baby Cherry Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets.
Platy	Caution	Platy may eat baby Cherry Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets.
Pristella Tetra	Caution	Pristella Tetra may eat baby Cherry Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets.
Rummy-nose Tetra	Caution	Rummy-nose Tetra may eat baby Cherry Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets.
Siamese Algae Eater	Caution	Siamese Algae Eater may eat baby Cherry Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets.
Silver Hatchetfish	Caution	Silver Hatchetfish may eat baby Cherry Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets.
Silver Tip Tetra	Caution	Silver Tip Tetra may eat baby Cherry Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets.
Sparkling Gourami	Caution	Sparkling Gourami may eat baby Cherry Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets.
Upside-down Catfish	Caution	Upside-down Catfish may eat baby Cherry Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets.
Variatus Platy	Caution	Variatus Platy may eat baby Cherry Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets.
White Cloud Mountain Minnow	Caution	White Cloud Mountain Minnow may eat baby Cherry Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets.
Zebra Danio	Caution	Zebra Danio may eat baby Cherry Shrimp. Adults are usually safe, but expect fewer shrimplets.
Angelfish	Avoid	Angelfish will eat Cherry Shrimp.
Bala Shark	Avoid	Bala Shark will eat Cherry Shrimp.
Betta	Avoid	Betta will eat Cherry Shrimp.
Black Skirt Tetra	Avoid	Black Skirt Tetra will eat Cherry Shrimp.
Blood Parrot Cichlid	Avoid	Blood Parrot Cichlid will eat Cherry Shrimp.
Boesemani Rainbowfish	Avoid	Cherry Shrimp and Boesemani Rainbowfish only share 81–82°F. That's a tight window.; Boesemani Rainbowfish will eat Cherry Shrimp.
Buenos Aires Tetra	Avoid	Buenos Aires Tetra will eat Cherry Shrimp.
Chinese Algae Eater	Avoid	Chinese Algae Eater will eat Cherry Shrimp.
Clown Loach	Avoid	Clown Loach will eat Cherry Shrimp.
Common / Comet Goldfish	Avoid	Common / Comet Goldfish will eat Cherry Shrimp.
Congo Tetra	Avoid	Congo Tetra will eat Cherry Shrimp.
Convict Cichlid	Avoid	Convict Cichlid will eat Cherry Shrimp.
Denison Barb	Avoid	Denison Barb will eat Cherry Shrimp.
Electric Blue Acara	Avoid	Electric Blue Acara will eat Cherry Shrimp.
Electric Yellow Lab	Avoid	Electric Yellow Lab will eat Cherry Shrimp.
Fancy Goldfish	Avoid	Fancy Goldfish will eat Cherry Shrimp.
Firemouth Cichlid	Avoid	Firemouth Cichlid will eat Cherry Shrimp.
Iridescent Shark	Avoid	Iridescent Shark will eat Cherry Shrimp.
Moonlight Gourami	Avoid	Moonlight Gourami will eat Cherry Shrimp.
Oscar	Avoid	Oscar will eat Cherry Shrimp.
Paradise Fish	Avoid	Paradise Fish will eat Cherry Shrimp.
Pea Puffer	Avoid	Pea Puffer will eat Cherry Shrimp.
Pictus Catfish	Avoid	Pictus Catfish will eat Cherry Shrimp.
Rainbow Shark	Avoid	Rainbow Shark will eat Cherry Shrimp.
Red-Tail Shark	Avoid	Red-Tail Shark will eat Cherry Shrimp.
Rosy Barb	Avoid	Rosy Barb will eat Cherry Shrimp.
Scissortail Rasbora	Avoid	Scissortail Rasbora will eat Cherry Shrimp.
Serpae Tetra	Avoid	Serpae Tetra will eat Cherry Shrimp.
Swordtail	Avoid	Swordtail will eat Cherry Shrimp.
Three-spot Gourami	Avoid	Three-spot Gourami will eat Cherry Shrimp.
Tiger Barb	Avoid	Tiger Barb will eat Cherry Shrimp.
Tinfoil Barb	Avoid	Tinfoil Barb will eat Cherry Shrimp.
Weather Loach	Avoid	Weather Loach will eat Cherry Shrimp.
Yoyo Loach	Avoid	Yoyo Loach will eat Cherry Shrimp.

Care notes

Needs: Zero tolerance for dissolved copper; fine pre-filter sponges on filter intakes; adequate mineral hardness (GH >= 4) for successful ecdysis.

Group: Colonial invertebrate; best started with 10 or more individuals to establish breeding colony dynamics.

Temperament: peaceful toward other fish, peaceful toward its own kind. Lives in the whole tank.

Common questions

How big does a Cherry Shrimp get?

About 1.6 inches (4 cm TL) as an adult, according to aquariumcoop.com.

What size tank does a Cherry Shrimp need?

At least about 10 gallons. The smallest standard tank that meets that is a 10 gallon.

How many Cherry Shrimps should be kept together?

At least 10. Colonial invertebrate; best started with 10 or more individuals to establish breeding colony dynamics.

What fish can live with a Cherry Shrimp?

Species that passed every check include Chili Rasbora, Pygmy Cory, Sterbai Cory, Bristlenose Pleco, Otocinclus, Amano Shrimp.

Gear for a Cherry Shrimp setup

TankSmallest standard tank that meets its minimum: 10 gallon (20 in long).Find on Amazon →HeaterAbout 50 W for 10 gallons, holding 65–82°F.Find on Amazon →FoodA quality flake or micro-pellet as a staple.Find on Amazon →Test kitCheck ammonia, nitrite and pH. Cycle the tank before adding fish.Find on Amazon →

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Sources

Values come from these pages, in our own words. Status: verified. Last reviewed 2026-10-12.

aquariumcoop.com /blogs/aquarium/cherry-shrimp-care
fishkeepingworld.com /cherry-shrimp/
aquariumcoop.com /blogs/aquarium/breeding-red-cherry-shrimp