Fire Red Neocaridina

Fire Red Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi var. ‘Fire Red’) — also known as Painted Fire Red, Super Red Cherry Shrimp, or high-grade Fire Red Cherry Shrimp — are the pinnacle of selectively bred freshwater aquarium shrimp for intense, eye-catching color. These vibrant beauties are a step above standard Red Cherry Shrimp, boasting near-solid, opaque crimson red covering the entire body, including the legs, saddle, and tail fan. The result is a deep, fiery hue that pops dramatically against planted tanks, dark substrates, or mossy setups — perfect for adding that “wow” factor to any freshwater display.

Key Features & Appearance

• Coloration: Solid, uniform blood-red to deep crimson with minimal to no translucency (especially in top-grade “Painted Fire Red” lines). The red is opaque and consistent, making them stand out far more than lower-grade cherries.
• Size: Adults reach about 1–1.2 inches (2.5–3 cm); juveniles often arrive at 0.5–0.75 inches.
• Behavior: Peaceful, active scavengers that constantly graze on biofilm, algae, detritus, and decaying plant matter — helping keep your tank naturally clean. They thrive in groups (colonies of 10+ recommended) and are prolific breeders once settled.
• Lifespan: 1–2 years with good care.

These shrimp are hardy and beginner-friendly, tolerating a wide range of conditions while rewarding stable setups with brilliant color and steady breeding.

Care Requirements

• Tank Size: 5+ gallons ideal; larger (10–20 gal+) supports bigger colonies and reduces stress.
• Water Parameters:
  • Temperature: 18–28°C (64–82°F); optimal around 22–26°C.
  • pH: 6.5–8.0 (they adapt well to most tap water after dechlorination).
  • GH: 6–12, KH: 2–8 (harder water enhances color and molting success).
  • TDS: 150–300 ppm typical.
• Setup Tips: Heavily planted tanks with moss (Java moss, Christmas moss), botanicals (Indian almond leaves, cholla wood), hiding spots, and dark substrate make colors pop and provide grazing surfaces. Avoid copper-based meds and strong filters that could suck up shrimplets — sponge filters are best.
• Diet: Omnivorous scavengers; supplement with blanched veggies (zucchini, spinach), shrimp-specific pellets, or algae wafers if needed. Overfeeding is rare — they clean up leftovers efficiently.
• Compatibility: Excellent in peaceful community tanks with small, non-aggressive fish (e.g., tetras, rasboras, endlers). Avoid large or nippy species. Best in shrimp-only or shrimp + snail setups for max breeding.

Fire Reds are easy to breed: Females carry bright yellow/orange eggs/saddle under the tail, releasing 20–50 shrimplets per batch after ~3–4 weeks. No special intervention needed — just stable params and hiding spots for fry.

At Valley Aquatics, these are a top pick for customers wanting maximum color impact with minimal hassle. Pair them with your botanicals for instant “ready-to-pop” setups!