Green Cherry Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi) Fresh, unusual and full of activity, Green Cherry Shrimp bring beautiful green tones to the freshwater shrimp aquarium. A selectively bred colour form of the hardy Neocaridina davidi, these peaceful little shrimp combine attractive green colouration with constant grazing behaviour, easy care and the ability to establish thriving colonies in mature planted aquariums. Quick Facts Scientific name: Neocaridina davidi Common name: Green Cherry Shrimp Colour strain: Green Current size: Approximately 1–2 cm Adult size: Approximately 2.5–3 cm Tank size: 20L+ recommended Difficulty: 🟢 Easy Temperament: Completely peaceful Best kept: Groups of 10 or more Is this for you? ✔️ Perfect if: You want an unusual green Neocaridina colour strain. You are starting or expanding a freshwater shrimp colony. You have a mature planted or nano aquarium. You enjoy watching shrimp graze and reproduce naturally. You want a hardy shrimp suitable for a wide range of freshwater setups. ❌ Avoid if: Your aquarium is newly established or biologically unstable. You keep fish large enough to eat the shrimp. You use copper-based medications. You want to maintain a pure green line but intend to mix them with other Neocaridina colour strains. Why choose Green Cherry Shrimp? Green is one of the more unusual colours found in selectively bred Neocaridina. Depending on genetics, age, sex and individual grade, Green Cherry Shrimp can display shades ranging from lighter olive and leafy green through to richer, darker green colouration. Mature females generally develop stronger colour coverage and a larger, deeper body than males, while younger shrimp may continue developing their colour as they mature. Like all Neocaridina, Green Cherry Shrimp are constantly active. They spend much of the day picking through mosses, plants, rocks, driftwood and substrate in search of biofilm, microorganisms, soft algae and tiny particles of organic material. Benefits Unusual natural-looking green colouration Hardy Neocaridina genetics Peaceful and highly active Excellent for planted and nano aquariums Constantly grazes biofilm and soft algae Breeds readily under suitable conditions Excellent choice for establishing a dedicated green shrimp colony Care made simple Temperature: Approximately 20–26°C pH: Approximately 6.5–8.0 GH: Approximately 6–12 dGH KH: Approximately 2–8 dKH TDS: Approximately 150–250 ppm Diet: Natural biofilm, quality shrimp foods, algae-based foods and occasional blanched vegetables Water: Clean, mature and stable Setup: Mosses, live plants, driftwood, rocks and plenty of established grazing surfaces Use a sponge pre-filter or shrimp-safe filtration to protect baby shrimp. Avoid copper-based medications and sudden changes in temperature, TDS or other water parameters. Pairs perfectly with Nerite Snails Rabbit Snails Otocinclus Small peaceful nano fish Heavily planted shrimp aquariums NTA Insight: Green Neocaridina can vary considerably between individuals, particularly when young. Colour can range from olive and translucent green through to much stronger solid greens as the shrimp mature. If maintaining the green line is important, keep them separate from other Neocaridina davidi colour strains. Mixing different colours may look great initially, but because they are the same species they will interbreed, and subsequent generations can produce unpredictable colours and increasing numbers of wild-type offspring. FAQ Are Green Cherry Shrimp actually Cherry Shrimp? Yes. They are a selectively bred colour form of Neocaridina davidi, the same species as Red Cherry, Blue, Yellow and many other commonly available Neocaridina shrimp. What is the difference between Green Cherry Shrimp and Emerald Green Cherry Shrimp? Where they are sold as separate lines or grades, Green Cherry Shrimp generally represent the broader green colour form, while Emerald Green is selected for richer, deeper and more consistent green colouration. Individual appearance still varies, so colour should always be judged on the actual shrimp rather than the name alone. Will every Green Cherry Shrimp look identical? No. Green intensity, coverage and shade naturally vary between individuals. Genetics, age, sex, diet, stress, lighting and substrate can all affect their appearance. Can I mix Green Cherry Shrimp with other Neocaridina colours? Yes, but we do not recommend doing so if maintaining a strong green breeding line is your goal. Different Neocaridina colour strains readily interbreed and subsequent generations may produce unpredictable colours or wild-type offspring. Are Green Cherry Shrimp suitable for beginners? Yes. Neocaridina are among the more forgiving freshwater shrimp, provided they are introduced into a mature aquarium with stable water conditions. Stability is generally more important than constantly adjusting the water to chase exact numbers. What do Green Cherry Shrimp eat? They naturally graze biofilm, microorganisms and soft algae throughout the day. Supplement this with quality shrimp foods, algae-based foods and occasional suitable vegetables. Can they live with fish? Yes, but any fish capable of fitting a shrimp or shrimplet into its mouth should be considered a potential predator. Small peaceful species combined with dense planting provide the best chance of maintaining a successful colony. How many should I start with? Starting with approximately 10 or more is recommended where possible. This increases the likelihood of receiving both sexes and provides a stronger foundation for establishing a breeding colony. How do Green Cherry Shrimp breed? Females carry fertilised eggs beneath their abdomen until fully formed miniature shrimp hatch. Unlike Amano Shrimp and many other species, there is no free-swimming larval stage requiring brackish water. How long do they live? With stable water conditions and appropriate care, Neocaridina shrimp generally live for around 1–2 years.
