Hey there, shrimp lovers! I’ve been keeping cherry shrimp for several years now, and one of the most common questions I get from newbies is about their growth rate Let me break down everything you need to know about cherry shrimp growth in simple terms
Quick Answer
Cherry shrimp take about 4-6 months to reach full adult size. Baby shrimplets grow relatively fast in the first few months, reaching juvenile stage in about 2-3 months. After that, growth slows down as they approach adulthood.
Cherry Shrimp Growth Timeline
Here’s what you can expect during their growth stages:
-
Post-larva Stage (0-2 days)
- Size: 3-5 grams
- Tiny transparent babies
- Very delicate phase
-
Larva & Juvenile Stage (3-120 days)
- Size: 5-25 grams
- Begin developing color
- Rapid growth phase
-
Adult Stage (120-150 days)
- Size: 25+ grams
- Full coloration
- Sexually mature
Growth Rate Facts
- Adult cherry shrimp gain about 2.60 grams per week under optimal conditions
- Females typically grow larger than males
- Maximum adult size: 1.6 inches (4 cm)
- Some exceptional shrimp might reach 1.77 inches
Factors Affecting Growth Rate
1. Water Parameters
For optimal growth, maintain these conditions:
| Parameter | Ideal Range |
|---|---|
| pH | 7-8 |
| Temperature | 65°F-75°F |
| TDS | 160-200 ppm |
| GH | 65-130 ppm |
| KH | 60-250 ppm |
| Nitrate/Nitrite | 0 |
2. Diet
To boost growth, feed them:
- Algae and biofilm
- Shrimp-specific food
- Blanched vegetables
- High-protein supplements
- Fresh spinach or cucumber
3. Tank Environment
For healthy growth, provide:
- Live plants
- Hiding spots
- Good filtration
- Regular water changes
- Proper aeration
Tips to Boost Growth Rate
-
Nutrition Game Strong
- Feed small amounts 1-2 times daily
- Variety is key
- Don’t overfeed!
-
Water Quality Matters
- Weekly water changes
- Regular parameter testing
- Good filtration system
-
Proper Setup
- Use plants like Java Moss
- Add sponge filters
- Maintain stable temperature
Common Growth-Related Questions
Q: How fast do baby cherry shrimp grow?
A: They reach juvenile stage in 2-3 months, growing pretty fast in the early stages.
Q: When can cherry shrimp breed?
A: They become sexually mature around 4-6 months old.
Q: Do they grow faster in planted tanks?
A: Yes! Plants provide extra food sources and better water quality.
My Personal Experience
In my tanks, I’ve noticed that cherry shrimp growth can vary quite a bit. Some of my shrimplets grew super fast and reached adult size in just 4 months, while others took their sweet time and needed almost 6 months. It really depends on how well you maintain their environment and feed them.
Final Thoughts
Growing cherry shrimp isn’t rocket science, but it does require some attention to detail. Keep their water clean, feed them well, and provide a good environment – they’ll reward you with healthy growth and amazing colors!
Pro tip: Don’t stress too much if your shrimp grow a bit slower than expected. As long as they’re active and eating well, they’re probably just fine. Every shrimp is different, just like us humans!
Need more help with your cherry shrimp? Drop a comment below – I’d love to share more tips from my experience!
Red Cherry Shrimp Characteristics
Red Cherry Shrimp reach about 4 cm (1.6 inches). They prefer clean water with a ph of 6.5-8.0, and a rough temperature of 14-30 degrees C (57-86), most comfortable at a moderate room temperature of about 72 degrees. They are omnivores and typically live 1-2 years under ideal conditions. Avoid copper based medications with cherry shrimp.
Fortunately, Red Cherry shrimp adapt to a wide variety of conditions in the hobby aquarium. They can be kept in a desktop aquarium with as little as 2 gallons, but 8-12 gallons will allow for a more active colony, more breeding, and a livelier population. Shrimp love plants and hiding spaces, so it is important to include frill plants that allow them to sit on, groom, and feel safe. This is especially critical after molting, one of the most vulnerable times for the shrimp. They are also ravenous about eating the film of algae and micro-organisms that form on plant leaves, spending hours grooming their favorites. Shrimp also love to groom and hide in mosses, whether in a clump or tied onto a rock or wood.
Grades of Red Cherry Shrimp
There are various grades of Red Cherry Shrimp, from deep dark red to paler colors. The females are the most colorful and are particularly sensitive to the color of the substrate and background. For instance, if they are kept in a tank with light-colored substrate, they will become pale or even transparent. In a tank with darker substrate, they take on a fuller, redder, coloration. The intensity of the color is also dependent upon the type of food available, water pH, temperature, and quality.
The Secrets to Breeding 1,000’s of Cherry Shrimp!
FAQ
How to make cherry shrimp grow faster?
At higher temperatures they will grow faster and breed faster, but they will also not live as long. Basically, higher temperatures accelerate their lifespan. Shrimp are sensitive to copper in the water, though the small amounts in commercial fish and shrimp food won’t hurt them.
Do cherry shrimp multiply fast?
If all 3 variables are taken care of Red Cherry Shrimp will breed in an aquarium and their population will grow rapidly. Inducing Red Cherry Shrimp to breed only requires a sexed pair of shrimp, stable water parameters, and a food source. Male Red Cherry Shrimp are smaller and less colorful than the females.
What do newborn cherry shrimp look like?
Cherry shrimp hatch from eggs and look much like their adult counterparts, except about about 1/30 the size.
How big are cherry shrimp when they are full grown?
Adults grow to approximately 1 to 1¼ inches long, with the females being larger than the males. Female RCS are also much brighter red than their male counterparts, especially when sexually mature.
How fast do cherry shrimp grow?
The speed of growth of cherry shrimp depends on the water quality and diet you provide. Under proper average conditions, a cherry shrimp will gain between 3 to 5 grams of weight within the first 2 days after it hatches and enters the post-larval phase. Its length will be under 2 millimeters.
What does a baby cherry shrimp look like?
Newly “born” cherry shrimp look like miniature versions of the adult with an average length of 2.3±0.5 mm and an average height of less than 1mm. Right after hatching baby shrimps will hide for 3-4 days. They are small, transparent, and remain consistently near the bottom, walls, leaves and in the Java moss for better protection.
Why do red cherry shrimp grow so fast?
The red cherry shrimp growth rate is attributed to two variations. These two links the physical weight of the shrimp and days required to achieve the optimal weight at a specified period. Again, we can divide these exponential growths of cherry shrimp into two phases-
How do cherry shrimp grow?
The growing stage of cherry shrimp until adulthood happens in an exponential method. It means the growth rate, along with weight gain, is rapid and steady compared to the linear growth. It happens in three various stages. At the first stage, the shrimp starts its life journey from the post-larva cycle.
How much does a cherry shrimp grow a week?
During the following 4 to 5 months, the cherry shrimp will become around 25 grams heavier and reach adulthood. Once an adult, the cherry shrimp will grow about 2.5 grams every week. If an adult cherry shrimp gains less than 1 gram per week, this can be a sign of an inadequate diet, poor water conditions, or an overcrowded tank.
How long do cherry shrimp live?
Cherry shrimp usually live about one to two years, so maintaining a healthy growth rate is important to keep your cherry shrimp alive. How Can You Improve the Size and Speed of Your Cherry Shrimp’s Growth? A balanced diet with plenty of protein and carbonate sources is important to maximize the size and speed of your cherry shrimp’s growth.