Udang Cherry: Red Cherry Shrimp Care, Food & Water in Malaysia
Udang cherry (red cherry shrimp, Neocaridina davidi) is the easiest udang hiasan akuarium for Malaysian beginners. Keep it in a cycled, planted tank of at least 1 kaki, with dechlorinated water around 22–28°C, pH 6.5–8 and some general hardness (GH), plus an air pump for oxygen. Feed small amounts of shrimp pellets and blanched vegetables a few times a week, and let them graze biofilm the rest of the time. The two big Malaysia-specific issues are heat and soft tap water, which can cause failed moults. This guide covers both.
Udang Cherry Water Parameters
| Parameter | Target range | Malaysian note |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | About 22–28°C | Room temperature usually fits; above about 30°C shrimp get stressed |
| pH | 6.5–8.0 | Tap water often near neutral; stability matters more than the number |
| GH (general hardness) | About 6–8 dGH | Much Malaysian tap water is soft; you may need to raise GH |
| KH (carbonate hardness) | About 2–6 dKH | Low KH means pH can swing |
| TDS | About 150–250 ppm | A TDS meter helps track minerals |
| Ammonia / nitrite | 0 | Shrimp are very sensitive |
| Nitrate | Below about 20 ppm | Small weekly water changes |
| Chlorine / copper | None | Always use anti klorin; avoid copper-based medicines |
These ranges are hobby guidelines. Stable conditions matter more than hitting exact figures, so test with a water test kit before changing anything.
Soft Tap Water: Why GH Matters
Shrimp need calcium and magnesium (measured as GH) to build a new shell each time they moult. In much of Malaysia, tap water is soft with low KH, so GH can be too low for healthy moulting.
Signs of low GH:
- Failed moults: shrimp stuck halfway out of the old shell, often fatal ("white ring of death" around the body).
- Pale, thin-looking shells.
- Slow breeding.
Fixes:
- Shrimp mineral supplement (GH/KH or GH+ for Neocaridina) dosed into new water, following the label.
- Crushed coral or a small piece of cuttlebone in the filter to raise hardness slowly.
- Remineralised RO water for advanced keepers who want precise control.
Raise GH slowly over several water changes, never all at once. Learn more in our tap water guide.
Heat Limits in Malaysian Homes
Cherry shrimp are tougher than Caridina, but heat is still the main killer in Malaysian tanks:
- Warm water holds less oxygen. Run a sponge filter on an air pump 24 hours a day.
- Keep the tank out of direct sun and away from windows.
- Small tanks heat up fastest. A 1-kaki tank can climb several degrees on a hot afternoon. A 2-kaki tank is more stable.
- Use a fan in heatwaves if water goes above about 29–30°C. See how to cool an aquarium in Malaysia.
- Avoid sudden drops too: a big cold water change can trigger stress moults.
Setting Up a Cherry Shrimp Tank
| Item | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Tank | 1 kaki (about 12–15 L) minimum; 1.5–2 kaki is easier |
| Filter | Sponge filter, or a filter with a sponge over the intake so shrimplets aren't sucked in |
| Substrate | Inert sand or gravel works; Neocaridina don't need special soil |
| Plants | Java moss, Anubias, Bucephalandra, floating plants; more plants = more biofilm and hiding places |
| Decor | Driftwood, leaf litter, daun ketapang |
| Lid | Helps reduce evaporation and stops escapes |
Cycle the tank first for several weeks. A mature tank with biofilm on every surface gives shrimp a constant food source.
Udang Cherry Makan Apa?
Cherry shrimp are scavengers that graze all day on biofilm, algae and soft plant matter. In a mature tank, they find most of their food themselves.
| Food | How often | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Biofilm and algae | Constant | Grows on wood, leaves, plants and glass |
| Shrimp pellets and sticks | 2–4 times a week | Choose ones with minerals |
| Blanched spinach, zucchini, cucumber | Once or twice a week | Remove leftovers after a few hours |
| Dried leaves (ketapang, mulberry) | Leave in the tank | Grow biofilm as they break down |
| Fish flakes | Occasionally | Shrimp in community tanks share leftovers |
Feed small amounts. A good rule: give only what the shrimp clear within 2–3 hours. Overfeeding causes ammonia spikes and planaria. Our makanan udang hiasan guide goes deeper.
Udang Cherry Grades
Cherry shrimp are graded by how red and how solid the colour is, especially on the body and legs.
| Grade | What it looks like |
|---|---|
| Wild-type | Brown or clear with some patches |
| Cherry | Patchy red, some transparency |
| Sakura | Stronger, more even red |
| Fire red | Deep, solid red body |
| Painted fire red | Very solid, opaque red including legs; top grade |
| Bloody Mary | A separate deep-red line with a glossy, translucent body |
Females are usually larger and more colourful than males. Higher grades cost more, and keeping the colour strong requires removing (culling) dull offspring. See our cherry shrimp breeding guide.
Bringing Shrimp Home: Drip Acclimation
Shrimp are sensitive to sudden changes in water, so don't just pour them in.
- Float the bag for 15–20 minutes to equalise temperature.
- Empty shrimp and bag water into a clean container.
- Drip tank water in slowly over 30–60 minutes using airline tubing with a knot to slow the flow.
- Net the shrimp into the tank; discard the bag water.
Common Problems
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Shrimp dying after water change | Chlorine, big temperature or GH change | Use anti klorin; change less water more often |
| Failed moults | GH too low or unstable | Add minerals slowly |
| Shrimp hiding, pale colour | New tank, stress, dark substrate missing | Give time and plants; colour often improves on dark substrate |
| White worms on glass | Overfeeding (planaria) | Feed less; see planaria and hydra guide |
| Sudden die-off | Copper, insecticide spray in the room, overheating | Check medicines and room; aerate |
Frequently Asked Questions
Udang cherry makan apa?
Udang cherry makan lumut, biofilm dan sisa makanan dalam akuarium. Anda juga boleh beri pelet udang, sayur yang direbus seperti bayam atau timun, dan daun ketapang kering. Bagi sedikit sahaja supaya air tidak kotor.
Udang cherry boleh hidup dalam suhu panas Malaysia ke?
Boleh, udang cherry tahan suhu bilik di Malaysia. Tetapi pastikan ada pam udara, letak akuarium jauh dari cahaya matahari, dan guna kipas akuarium jika suhu air melebihi 29–30°C.
How many cherry shrimp should I start with?
About 10 or more gives a good mix of males and females and a better chance of a breeding colony.
Do cherry shrimp need a heater in Malaysia?
Usually not. Malaysian room temperature is already in their comfortable range. Cooling and oxygen matter more than heating.
Can cherry shrimp live with bettas?
Sometimes. Some bettas ignore them; others hunt them. Heavy planting with java moss gives shrimp a chance, but a shrimp-only tank is safer for breeding.
Find Neocaridina shrimp, shrimp food and test kits from Malaysian sellers on FishyHub. Check each listing for grade, quantity and how the seller packs shrimp.