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Cherry shrimp breed on their own once water is stable and food is steady — the keeper’s job is picking the right species for the water, starting with enough shrimp, and culling off-colored juveniles so the line stays strong. Answer a few questions below to get a starter plan for your tank.
Neocaridina vs Caridina breeding params
| Parameter | Neocaridina (cherry etc.) | Caridina (crystal / Taiwan bee) |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 65–78 °F (18–26 °C) | 62–72 °F (17–22 °C) |
| pH | 6.5–8.0 | 5.8–6.8 |
| GH | 6–12 | 4–6 |
| KH | 2–8 | 0–1 |
| TDS (ppm) | 150–300 | 100–160 |
| Water source | Dechlorinated tap often works | RO + GH remineralizer, active soil |
Cull chart: keep or remove?
| What you see | Action | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Solid deep color, full coverage | Keep as breeder | Passes the color line on |
| Pale, patchy or clear juveniles | Cull to a separate tank | Prevents the colony fading to wild-type brown |
| Mixed colors (e.g. red + blue offspring) | Separate by color | Mixed Neocaridina revert to brown within generations |
| Deformed back, bent rostrum | Remove from breeding | Likely genetic — do not breed on |
FAQ
How many shrimp do I need to start breeding?
Start with at least 10–12 juveniles so you get both sexes and some genetic variety. A berried female appears within 1–2 months in a stable, mature tank.
How fast does a colony grow?
A female carries 20–30 eggs for about 3–4 weeks. With good biofilm and cover, a colony of 10 can reach 50–100 within 4–6 months — then growth slows as food limits it.
What does culling mean?
It just means moving off-colored shrimp to another tank, not killing them. Most keepers run one display-grade tank and one cull tank.
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