Shrimp comparison
Red Cherry Shrimp vs Snowball Shrimp
How the Red Cherry Shrimp and Snowball Shrimp compare on care, size, water and temperament, and which shrimp suits your tank.
By Mike ElmiraUpdated
TL;DR, Red Cherry Shrimp vs Snowball Shrimp
The Red Cherry Shrimp and the Snowball Shrimp are close cousins, both in the Neocaridina group, so at a glance they ask for a lot of the same things. Both are happy somewhere around 18 to 28 °C and pH 7 to 8, so a single tank can suit either one. Neither is harder than the other to keep, so the choice comes down to look and stocking rather than skill. Read the full care notes on each below and pick the one whose look and pace fit the tank you're building.
Group compatibility overview
Excellent fit
Every key parameter overlaps and no major conflicts surfaced.
Temperature
- Red Cherry Shrimp18–28 °C
- Snowball Shrimp18–28 °C
pH
- Red Cherry Shrimp6.5–8
- Snowball Shrimp7–8
Hardness
- Red Cherry Shrimp6–15 dGH
- Snowball Shrimp6–15 dGH
Full attributes
Every parameter, side by side| Parameter |  ShrimpRed Cherry ShrimpNeocaridina davidi |  ShrimpSnowball ShrimpNeocaridina palmata var. |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Shrimp | Shrimp |
| Origin | Taiwan (selectively bred) | Selectively bred (China) |
| Temperature | 18–28 °C | 18–28 °C |
| pH | 6.5–8.0 | 7.0–8.0 |
| Hardness (dGH) | 6–15 | 6–15 |
| Flow rate | Low to Medium | Low to Medium |
| Min tank | 20 L | 20 L |
| Adult size | 2.5–3 cm | 2.5–3 cm |
| Difficulty | 1 / 5 | 1 / 5 |
| Lifespan | 1.5 yrs | 1.5 yrs |
| Diet | Omnivore / detritivore | Omnivore / detritivore |
| Plant safe | Yes | Yes |
Frequently asked questions
Direct answers to the questions search engines and AI assistants surface most often about this species.
Can you keep Red Cherry Shrimp and Snowball Shrimp together?
Yes. Their temperature and pH ranges overlap around 18 to 28 °C and pH 7 to 8, so one set of water conditions keeps both comfortable. Match group sizes and cover the usual planted-tank basics and they share a tank fine.
Which is easier to keep, the Red Cherry Shrimp or the Snowball Shrimp?
They sit at the same care level, both very easy, so neither is the obvious beginner pick. The decision is really about the look you're after.
Do Red Cherry Shrimp and Snowball Shrimp need the same water?
Close to it. Aim for 18 to 28 °C and pH 7 to 8 and you're in the shared sweet spot for both. Full ranges are in the table above.
What's the main difference between the Red Cherry Shrimp and the Snowball Shrimp?
It comes down to look, size and pace rather than one being flatly better. The table above lays the numbers out row by row.