Cherry Shrimp Breeding Tips | Eggs, Shrimplet Care & Colony Management
Introduction
Cherry shrimp are prolific breeders, and understanding their reproduction and life cycle is key to maintaining a thriving colony. While they can breed in most healthy tanks without much intervention, knowing what to expect, how to support females, and how babies develop will improve survival rates and colony health.
This guide covers:
How to identify breeding-ready females and males
Mating behaviour
Egg development and hatching
Shrimplet growth stages
Tips for maximising survival and maintaining a healthy population
Identifying Males and Females
Cherry shrimp are sexually dimorphic, meaning males and females look different:
Females:
Larger, with a more robust, curved body
Often carry a “saddle” — a yellow or green patch behind the head where eggs develop before fertilisation
When carrying eggs, they’re called “berried”
Males:
Smaller, slimmer, and more active
Usually swim around looking for receptive females
Tip: In a healthy tank, a ratio of roughly 1 male to 2–3 females encourages successful breeding.
Mating Behaviour
Mating occurs when a female molts (she sheds her exoskeleton). This is when she is receptive to sperm.
Males detect pheromones released by the molting female and will chase and fertilise her eggs.
After fertilisation, the female carries the eggs under her abdomen for 3–5 weeks, fanning them with her pleopods to keep them oxygenated and clean.
Tips for successful mating:
Keep stable water parameters; fluctuations stress females and can reduce breeding success.
Provide plenty of hiding spots for molting females to prevent stress from more active shrimp.
Supplement diet with calcium-rich foods and Moringa powder to boost female health and egg survival.
Egg Development & Hatching
Eggs are small, round, and often dark green, yellow, or brown depending on the female and genetics.
Females carry the eggs until they hatch, fanning them constantly to prevent fungus or suffocation.
Depending on temperature (20–24°C), eggs hatch in about 3–5 weeks. Higher temperatures speed up development, while cooler water slows it down.
Hatching Tips:
Dense moss or fine-leaved plants provide refuge for baby shrimp.
Avoid aggressive or fast-moving tank mates; babies are extremely vulnerable.
Feed biofilm-rich surfaces and finely crushed foods to support early growth.
Shrimplet Life Cycle
Newly hatched shrimplets:
Tiny, almost transparent, and very vulnerable
Feed on biofilm, microalgae, and fine powdered foods
Juveniles (1–2 months):
Start developing colour
Begin grazing more actively
Still require lots of hiding places
Sub-adults (2–4 months):
Sex becomes easier to identify
Growth accelerates if water parameters are stable and food is abundant
Adults (3–6 months):
Fully coloured
Females begin developing saddles and can reproduce
Lifespan depends on temperature: ~1–2 years in cooler tanks, shorter in warmer tanks
Note: Rapid reproduction can lead to crowded tanks. While cherry shrimp are easy to rehome, maintaining stable parameters and enough hiding spaces is critical to avoid stress and competition.
Tips for Supporting Breeding and Shrimplet Survival
Keep stable GH, KH, and pH to support moulting and healthy exoskeletons.
Maintain plenty of moss, stem plants, and leaf litter to provide hiding spots and grazing surfaces.
Feed a varied diet: shrimp pellets, blanched vegetables (zucchini, carrot), algae wafers, and Moringa powder for females and shrimplets.
Sponge filters not only provide gentle water flow but also harbour biofilm and micro-particles that baby shrimp feed on.
Avoid sudden water changes, harsh chemicals, or aggressive tankmates.
Conclusion
Cherry shrimp breeding is fascinating to watch and can happen almost naturally in a healthy tank. By understanding their mating behaviour, egg development, and life cycle, you can create an environment that supports high survival rates and vibrant colonies.
Supporting females with proper diet, plenty of plants, and stable water ensures eggs develop successfully and shrimplets grow strong. With patience and the right setup, you can enjoy watching your cherry shrimp thrive from tiny, translucent babies to fully coloured adults in just a few months.
