For a quick answer: You can keep 20-50 cherry shrimp comfortably in a 10-gallon tank. The general rule is about 2-5 shrimp per gallon of water.
Hey there! I’m a shrimp enthusiast who’s kept these little red swimmers for years. Today, I’ll share everything you need to know about stocking cherry shrimp in a 10-gallon tank. Let’s dive in!
Optimal Stocking Numbers Based on Tank Setup
Shrimp-Only Tank
- Maximum capacity: Up to 100 shrimp (though not recommended)
- Recommended number: 20-50 shrimp
- Starting colony size: 10-20 shrimp
Community Tank with Fish
- Recommended number: 25-30 shrimp
- Rule of thumb: 5 shrimp per gallon
- Starting number: 10-15 shrimp
Planted Aquarium
- Optimal number: 20-25 shrimp
- Focus on balance: Don’t overstock to maintain aquascape beauty
- More plants = more hiding spots = happier shrimp
Factors That Affect How Many Shrimp You Can Keep
- Filtration System
- Sponge filters are best for baby shrimp
- Avoid power filters – they can harm tiny shrimplets
- Good filtration = more stable population
- Tank Setup
- More plants = higher carrying capacity
- Hiding spots are essential
- Substrate type matters
- Water Parameters
- Temperature: 70-78°F
- pH: 6.5-7.5
- Stable parameters = healthy breeding
Signs of Overcrowding
- Increased aggression
- Poor water quality
- Slower growth rates
- Less vibrant colors
- Reduced breeding
What To Do If Your Colony Grows Too Big
- Upgrade Options:
- Move to a larger tank
- Set up a second colony
- Create breeding tanks
- Population Control:
- Sell excess shrimp
- Trade with other hobbyists
- Donate to local fish stores
Tips for Maintaining the Right Population
- Start small (10-20 shrimp)
- Monitor breeding rates
- Regular headcounts
- Watch for signs of stress
- Maintain proper feeding schedule
Compatible Tank Mates
Safe Options:
- Neon Tetras
- Rasboras
- Amano Shrimp
- Corydoras Catfish
- Otocinclus Catfish
Avoid These:
- Bettas (might eat shrimp)
- Large Gouramis
- Cichlids
- Goldfish
- Any aggressive fish
Setting Up Your 10 Gallon Shrimp Tank
Essential Equipment:
- Sponge filter
- LED lighting
- Thermometer
- Water test kit
- Plant substrate
Decorations:
- Live plants (Java Moss, Anubias)
- Driftwood
- Indian Almond leaves
- Ceramic caves
- Rock formations
Pro Tips from My Experience
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Don’t rush to max capacity – start small and let the colony grow naturally
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Plant heavily from the start – my shrimp love grazing on biofilm that grows on plants
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Keep extra tanks ready – trust me your colony will grow faster than you think!
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Feed sparingly – overfeeding is worse than underfeeding
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Regular maintenance is key – I do 10-20% water changes weekly
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Starting with too many shrimp
- Poor acclimation
- Inadequate hiding spots
- Overfeeding
- Using harsh chemicals
Final Thoughts
In my years of keeping cherry shrimp, I’ve found that starting with about 20 shrimp in a 10-gallon tank works best. They’ll breed naturally and establish a healthy colony over time. Remember, it’s better to understock than overstock – these little guys need their space!
Keep in mind that every tank is unique, and what works in my setup might need adjusting in yours. The key is to observe your shrimp and make adjustments based on their behavior and breeding patterns.
Got any questions about your shrimp tank? Drop them in the comments below – I’d love to help fellow shrimp keepers out!
Can the cherry shrimps breed?
Yes, they have an excellent breeding ability. They start mating just before the starting of summer i.e. 79℉. They raise their race exponentially. It’s possible one day when you’ll wake up and your tank full of cherry shrimps.
Can I stock cherry shrimps in a community fish tank?
You can stock cherry shrimps in community fish tanks but with some changes.
The cherry shrimps are peaceful. Therefore stock them with peaceful tank mates i.e. neon tetras, male betta, freshwater snails, dwarf gourami, bristlenose plecos, cory catfish, amano shrimp, ghost shrimp, and small rasboras.
Keep them away from tetras and cichlids because they become offensive and even can eat your shrimps.
How Many Red Cherry Shrimp Per Gallon? THE ONLY ANSWER YOU NEED!
FAQ
How many cherry shrimp should be kept together?
For optimal breeding and behavior, it’s recommended to keep at least 10 cherry shrimp together, especially if you’re aiming to establish a breeding colony.
How many shrimp in a 10 gallon tank with betta?
Red cherry shrimp are great tankmates for many reasons. They only get up to an inch long, so make sure that there is plenty of cover and that the betta is well fed or else your shrimp may become an expensive appetizer. They produce very little to no waste, meaning you can have 10 shrimp per gallon.
Can I keep shrimp in a 10 gallon tank?
How many shrimp can I put in my aquarium? You can have up to 10 dwarf shrimp per 1 gallon of water. For example: A 10 gallon aquarium COULD house up to 100 dwarf shrimp. However, a great starting point could be 5 shrimp per 1 gallon of water.
How many cherry shrimp are in a 10 gallon tank reddit?
A 10 Gal will typically have about 200-250 before the breeding slows down. Shrimp find their balance for the environment and the bioload is so small that it is not a problem to have that many.
How many cherry shrimp in a 10 gallon tank?
Regular observation and culling (removing excess shrimp) may be necessary to prevent overpopulation in the long term. Overall, while there’s no strict rule for the exact number, 20 to 30 cherry shrimp is a good starting point for a 10-gallon tank, and you can adjust the population as needed based on your tank’s specific conditions.
How many shrimp can you put in a 10 gallon tank?
An excellent starting-size shrimp tank is a 10-gallon tank. How many shrimp should you put in, and what should you do if you treat your shrimp well and your population explodes? For a dedicated shrimp-only aquarium, you can keep 100 shrimp in a 10-gallon tank. However, it is recommended to hold a maximum of 50 shrimp.
What size prawns fit in a cherry shrimp tank?
Cherry shrimp fits in the smallest aquarium under five gallons. In most cases, the sizes chosen for the shrimp tank are subject to space availability. In general, the ratio is about eight prawns per gallon. Do not build colonies without having a tank of at least 10 gallons.
How much water do you put in a cherry shrimp tank?
I like to start off with a 2 ½ gallon fish bowl. Put the Cherry Shrimp in the bowl using the same water that you get them in. For this example, let’s say you get 1 quart of water with the shrimp. Remove 2 gallons plus 1 quart of water from the home tank and put it in a second bowl. Any glass or food safe bowl will do as long as it is clean.
How big should a cherry shrimp tank be?
The Cherry Shrimp is a small creature that rarely grows longer than 1.5 inches (4 cm). Their main color is cherry red, as the name would imply. Cherry Shrimps are schooling species. They feel they are most safe in a school of ten or more. The tank should be at least 5 gallons large to be able to keep a generous and thriving colony in there.
How many cherry shrimp can you keep in a tank?
They do best when they are other cherries and other species of shrimp and fish. If possible, you should keep at least ten cherry shrimp in the same tank, allowing them to adjust quickly and remain in better health. When cared for properly, they are known to live peacefully and make friends with other species in their tank.