Datasheet Red Fire Shrimp
German name:
Red Fire Shrimp
Scientific name:
Neocaridina davidi “Red Fire”
Origin:
Taiwan
Size:
about 3 cm
age expectation:
2 years
Behave
Area:
at the bottom
Lining:
Omnivores, algae growth, scalded vegetables (cucumbers, carrots), shrimp food, nettles, plankton
Behave:
calm group animals
Number:
Min. 10-20 animals
Difficulty level:
Simply
key data
The undemanding freshwater inhabitants are considered ideal for getting started with shrimp farming. They are also as Red cherry shrimp known. Many aquarium owners love them as a red splash of color in the tank.
In their homeland, the animals live in different habitats. She occur equally in flowing and standing water.
The little shrimp adapt to different water values and forgive some beginner mistakes.
Look
Przemysław Malkowski, Neocaridina heteropoda, CC BY-SA 3.0
The animals are red in many shades, from almost transparent to light red to an intense fiery red everything is there.
Some specimens have a dark red dorsal stripe or more or less pronounced dark horizontal stripes.
If only intensively colored animals are mated, the offspring will be bright red.
acquisition and maintenance
The shrimp are peaceful creatures with a strong social life. They need intraspecific contact in the group. Alone they take care and do not survive long. 10 to 20 animals in the tank are ideal.
Behave
© Norbert Heidbüchel
The red runabouts bring life to the pool. They are constantly on the move and are curiously exploring their habitat. They also spend a lot of time looking for food.
As shrimp grow, they have to shed their old shell because it won’t grow with them. This often happens with young shrimp, older animals molt less frequently.
The shedding itself is unspectacular and only takes a few minutes. There is already a new one under the old tank. However, this is still soft shortly after moulting and must first harden. In this state they are easy prey for predators. Therefore, the crustaceans retreat to hiding places during this time. There they persevere until their new shell is solid.
breed
If Neocaridina davidi feel comfortable, offspring will soon be born. No special precautions need to be taken. Fully developed shrimp are born, Salt or brackish water is not required.
The young can stay in the pool and grow up there.
The females produce 20 to 40 small yellow eggs under the skin of the neck. After the next moult, these eggs are free. The female then attaches the eggs under her abdomen. They are supplied with fresh oxygen by fan movements with the swimming legs. After 4 to 5 weeks, tiny young shrimp have developed, which are released by the female. The whole process is interesting to watch.
The young are transparent and almost invisible. This protects them from voracious enemies. They disappear in carpets of algae, pearl cabbage or other fine plants.
The bigger they get, the more color they get.
socialization
of socialization with other dwarf shrimp, snails, mussels and small, peaceful fish nothing stands in the way.
If there are other dwarf shrimp in the tank, it can happen that the species mate with each other. The color suffers as a result. After a few generations, the offspring are uniformly grey-brown.
requirements for the aquarium
The dwarves are tolerant when it comes to water parameters.
- pH: 6 to 8.5
- GH: 3 to 26°dGH
- CH: 3 to 20
- Water temperature: 10 to 28 °C
The pool should at least 20 l have capacity. A heater is not absolutely necessary.
A Floor or mat filter combined with an air lift ensure sufficient oxygen. The filter must be built in such a way that it cannot suck in the tiny offspring.
The floor should black sand or fine dark gravel cover. The dark background intensifies the colors, the red of the shrimp is particularly bright.
The small stones can be moved by the animals. This enables them to collect the last bits of food.
The dwarves need large numbers of hiding places such as roots, pipes, hollow rocks and potsherds.
One is absolutely necessary rich planting of the pelvis. Java moss, Riccia fluitans, moss balls, tomentosum and other delicate plants are popular with crustaceans.
Something brown foliage of beech or walnut belongs in the pool. The little animals are eagerly looking for food in between.
gender differences
The females are brighter colored than the males.
Feed & Nutrition
The animals should mainly with vegetable feed to be fed.
It is enough if they high protein food once or twice a week get (fish food). Too much protein promotes moulting.
If the dwarf shrimp get too much of it, they molt too often and too quickly in a row. The new shell is then not properly formed, or scraps of the old shell get stuck and cannot be detached. In both cases, the animals usually do not survive.
Special food for dwarf shrimp offers a balanced ratio of plant and animal components, as well as vitamins and minerals.
Algae chips or dried algae leaves come closest to their natural food. Algae have a beneficial effect on the red color.
sea almond leaves disinfect the water and the gnomes love them as a little snack.
acclimatization and handling
Under no circumstances may the animals be placed immediately out of the transport container into the tank. They cannot cope with this abrupt change in water parameters.
First, the transport bag must come to room temperature. Only then will it be opened.
The animals are placed in a large bowl or bucket along with the transport water.
Then some aquarium water is added about every 15 minutes.
After about 2 hours, the water in the bucket should have at least doubled.
Now the animals can be moved to their new homes. They had enough time to get used to the other water.
The guys are either put into the other pool together with the water or they are caught individually with a net and moved.
The landing net method is more stressful for the newcomers. It has the advantage that no transport water gets into the tank.
After moving in, the shrimp should have time to acclimate. They want to explore their new home in peace. They soon overcome their initial shyness. If they are not bothered or constantly disturbed, they quickly go about their usual activities. After a few days, their colors will shine again. The excitement of transport will cause them to fade.
Red Fire Pairing:
Red Fire Birth:
Red Fire eat cucumber in time lapse: