Cherry Shrimp

The cherry shrimp is a small freshwater shrimp native to streams and ponds in Taiwan, closely related to several other dwarf shrimp species kept in the aquarium trade. Wild individuals are typically a plain brown or olive color, but decades of selective breeding in captivity have produced a wide range of vivid color forms, most famously the deep red variety that gives the species its common name. Unlike the Amano shrimp, its larvae develop entirely in freshwater with no need for brackish or salt water, which makes the species straightforward to breed in home aquariums and has helped make it one of the most popular ornamental invertebrates in the hobby. It is an omnivorous grazer and scavenger, feeding on algae, biofilm, and leftover food particles among plants and gravel. The species breeds readily and can build up substantial populations quickly in a stable aquarium, a trait that has also made it useful as a live food source for larger aquarium fish. Its small size and constant grazing activity make it a popular natural tool for controlling algae in planted freshwater tanks.