The Cherry Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi) is a freshwater crustacean. It is related to crabs and lobsters.
The Cherry Shrimp is green-brown, but can be red, yellow, orange, green, blue, purple, black, white, and transparent. The male is smaller and not as colourful as the female.
Cherry Shrimp
It measures up to 4 centimetres (1.5 inches) in length.
The Cherry Shrimp is native to the waters of Taiwan. It prefers freshwater rivers and streams.
It is diurnal, active during the day, but it is actually not very active. It sits on aquatic plants for most of its time.
It is omnivorous. It forages on algae, plant leaves, and biofilm.
The female carries her 20-30 eggs under her belly and tail on her swimmerettes. The eggs hatch after 14-21 days. The young are called shrimplets.
It lives for 1-2 years.
Cherry Shrimp
Cherry Shrimp
Cherry Shrimp
Photographer: Martina Nicolls
Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM