Shrimp comparison
Red Cherry Shrimp vs Yellow Neocaridina
How the Red Cherry Shrimp and Yellow Neocaridina compare on care, size, water and temperament, and which shrimp suits your tank.
By Mike ElmiraUpdated
TL;DR, Red Cherry Shrimp vs Yellow Neocaridina
The Red Cherry Shrimp and the Yellow Neocaridina 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 6.5 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
- Yellow Neocaridina18–28 °C
pH
- Red Cherry Shrimp6.5–8
- Yellow Neocaridina6.5–8
Hardness
- Red Cherry Shrimp6–15 dGH
- Yellow Neocaridina6–15 dGH
Full attributes
Every parameter, side by side| Parameter |  ShrimpRed Cherry ShrimpNeocaridina davidi |  ShrimpYellow NeocaridinaNeocaridina davidi 'Yellow' |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Shrimp | Shrimp |
| Origin | Taiwan (selectively bred) | Selectively bred (Neocaridina lineage) |
| Temperature | 18–28 °C | 18–28 °C |
| pH | 6.5–8.0 | 6.5–8.0 |
| 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 Yellow Neocaridina together?
Yes. Their temperature and pH ranges overlap around 18 to 28 °C and pH 6.5 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 Yellow Neocaridina?
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 Yellow Neocaridina need the same water?
Close to it. Aim for 18 to 28 °C and pH 6.5 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 Yellow Neocaridina?
It comes down to look, size and pace rather than one being flatly better. The table above lays the numbers out row by row.