Black Shrimp

Appearance:

• Size: Adult Black Cherry Shrimp typically grow to about 1-1.5 inches (2.5-3.8 cm) in length.
• Color: As the name suggests, they are a solid black color, which can range from jet black to dark brown or bluish-black, depending on genetics, diet, and environment. High-quality specimens exhibit a uniform, deep black body without visible patches or transparency.
• Sexual Dimorphism: Females are generally larger, more robust, and have a rounder abdomen, especially when carrying eggs. They may also show a slightly darker and more intense color than males, which are usually smaller and more slender.

Natural Habitat:

• Origin: The Black Cherry Shrimp is a selectively bred variant of Neocaridina davidi, originally native to streams and rivers in Taiwan and China. In the wild, they would be found in freshwater habitats with dense vegetation and abundant biofilm to graze on.

Water Conditions:

• Temperature: Black Cherry Shrimp are quite adaptable but thrive in temperatures between 65-80°F (18-27°C). For breeding, a slightly higher temperature (around 72-78°F or 22-25°C) is optimal.
• pH: They prefer neutral to slightly alkaline water, with a pH range of 6.5 to 8.0.
• Water Hardness: Moderate water hardness is ideal, with a general hardness (GH) of 6-8 and a carbonate hardness (KH) of 3-5.
• Water Quality: As with all shrimp, maintaining good water quality is crucial. Regular water changes and monitoring ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels are essential. They are sensitive to high levels of nitrates, so keeping them in a well-filtered and cycled tank is important.

Tank Setup:

• Tank Size: A minimum tank size of 5 gallons is suitable for a small group of Black Cherry Shrimp, but larger tanks (10-20 gallons or more) are recommended for better stability and breeding.
• Substrate: They do well with a fine, dark-colored substrate like sand or small-grain gravel, which contrasts nicely with their black coloration. Substrates designed for shrimp, which buffer pH and provide minerals, can also be beneficial.
• Plants & Decorations: Black Cherry Shrimp thrive in heavily planted tanks with plenty of hiding spots and surfaces to graze on. Plants like Java moss, Anubias, and Java ferns are perfect, as they provide both shelter and biofilm for the shrimp to feed on.
• Filtration: A sponge filter is ideal for shrimp tanks, as it provides gentle filtration and is safe for baby shrimp. If using a hang-on-back or canister filter, cover the intake with a sponge to prevent shrimp from getting sucked in.
• Lighting: Moderate lighting is sufficient, especially to support plant growth.

Feeding:

• Diet: Black Cherry Shrimp are omnivorous scavengers and feed primarily on biofilm, algae, and detritus in the aquarium. In a well-established tank with plenty of plants, they will find much of their food naturally.
• Supplemental Food: To ensure a balanced diet, supplement their feeding with high-quality shrimp pellets, algae wafers, blanched vegetables (such as spinach or zucchini), and occasional protein sources like bloodworms or daphnia. They also enjoy powdered shrimp food, which mimics the fine organic particles they would naturally consume.
• Algae Grazers: Black Cherry Shrimp are excellent algae eaters and will help keep soft algae growth under control in the tank.

Behavior:

• Peaceful Nature: Black Cherry Shrimp are non-aggressive and peaceful creatures that spend most of their time grazing on algae, biofilm, and detritus. They are active throughout the day and can be seen foraging on plants, rocks, and substrate.
• Social Behavior: They are social and do best in groups of 10 or more. A larger group will not only make them feel more secure but will also lead to more natural behavior and increased breeding activity.
• Hiding After Molting: Like all shrimp, Black Cherry Shrimp molt regularly to grow. After molting, they are vulnerable and will seek out hiding spots until their new exoskeleton hardens.

Breeding:

• Ease of Breeding: Black Cherry Shrimp are prolific breeders in the right conditions, making them one of the easiest shrimp species to breed in a home aquarium. They will breed readily in a stable tank with good water quality and a plentiful food supply.
• Breeding Conditions: Females can be easily identified when carrying eggs, known as being “berried.” After mating, the female will carry the fertilized eggs under her abdomen for around 20-30 days until they hatch into fully formed, miniature shrimp.
• No Larval Stage: The young hatch as fully developed miniature versions of the adults and do not go through a larval stage, so no special care is needed beyond providing plenty of food and hiding spots for the young to avoid predation by fish or even adult shrimp.
• Population Management: Since they breed so easily, overpopulation can become a concern in smaller tanks. You may need to move some shrimp to other tanks or give them away to maintain balance.

Lifespan:

• Lifespan: Black Cherry Shrimp typically live for 1-2 years, though with excellent care, some individuals may live longer.

Tank Mates:

• Compatibility: Black Cherry Shrimp are excellent for peaceful community tanks but do best in shrimp-only tanks or tanks with very small, peaceful fish.
• Ideal Tank Mates: Suitable tank mates include small, non-aggressive species like nano fish, tetras, rasboras, otocinclus catfish, and snails. They can also be kept with other types of Neocaridina shrimp or dwarf shrimp like Amano or Blue Velvet Shrimp.
• Avoid Predatory Fish: Avoid larger or more aggressive fish such as cichlids, bettas, or even larger tetras, which may view the shrimp as food.

Care Level:

• Beginner-Friendly: Black Cherry Shrimp are hardy and relatively easy to care for, making them ideal for beginners. As long as water parameters are stable and food is plentiful, they will thrive and breed.
• Water Quality: Regular maintenance, including weekly water changes of 10-20%, is important. Keep an eye on ammonia and nitrite levels, as shrimp are very sensitive to these compounds.
• Copper Sensitivity: Like other invertebrates, Black Cherry Shrimp are highly sensitive to copper, so avoid medications or water treatments that contain copper.

Special Considerations:

• Acclimation: When introducing them to a new tank, it's important to use a slow drip acclimation process to avoid stressing them with sudden changes in water parameters.
• Water Additives: You can also add a shrimp-safe remineralizer to ensure they are getting enough calcium and other minerals, which are important for molting and exoskeleton development.