Affiliate Disclaimer:
FishKeepingAnswers.com is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site we may earn a commission.
The popularity of Red Cherry Shrimp never ceases to amaze me. Where once keeping shrimps in an aquarium was unheard of, these days people are frequently keeping shrimp only tanks.
Red Cherry Shrimp are well known to be hardy, but one question many new shrimp keepers ask is, do Red Cherry Shrimp require an aquarium heater?
Whilst Red Cherry Shrimp do not need a heater to survive, they may require one to thrive. Red Cherry Shrimp thrive at between 72°F and 84°F (22°C and 29°C) but they can survive in water which is as low as 50°F (10°C).
Do Red Cherry Shrimp Need A Heater?
Red Cherry Shrimp are extremely hardy. They can survive in temperatures far colder than many people realize. However, surviving and thriving are clearly not the same thing.
Whether or not Red Cherry Shrimp need a heater depends on the ambient room temperature they are kept in. In my own fish room, the ambient air temperature is around 76°F (24.5°C) so my dedicated Red Cherry Shrimp tanks do not need a heater. However, if your ambient room temperature is less than 72°F (22°C) you will require a heater.
If your room temperature is above 72°F (22°C) during the day but drops slightly at night, then the Red Cherry Shrimp will be fine. They can handle a small fluctuation in water temperature.
What is the Minimum Water Temperature for Red Cherry Shrimp?
The minimum water temperature Red Cherry Shrimp can survive at is generally considered to be around 50°F (10°C). At this temperature, the Red Cherry Shrimp will be in survival mode. Their metabolism will slow right down and they will eat very little.
If Red Cherry Shrimp are kept at such a low temperature for a prolonged period of time they may become susceptible to disease. Red Cherry Shrimp kept at low temperatures can become stressed and stress is a killer.
What is the Ideal Temperature for Red Cherry Shrimp?
The ideal water temperature for Red Cherry Shrimp is anywhere between 72°F and 84°F (22°C and 29°C). At this temperature, the Red Cherry Shrimp will usually breed prolifically.
When Red Cherry Shrimp are kept at their ideal temperature they have a healthy appetite and they will grow rapidly.
Pros and Cons of Heating a Red Cherry Shrimp Tank
There are both pros and cons to heating a Red Cherry Shrimp Tank. Below I consider both.
Pros of heating a Red Cherry Shrimp tank?
Cons of heating a Red Cherry Shrimp tank?
What is the Best Heater for a Red Cherry Shrimp Tank?
Before deciding which heater is the best for a Red Cherry Shrimp tank, we need to decide what type and size of tank we are using.
Vase or Small Bowl
If you keep Red Cherry Shrimp in a vase or small bowl, up to about 3 gallons (11 liters), this 10W USB submersible aquarium heater will be ideal. I only paid around $20 for my one.
Bowl or Small Aquarium
The ideal heater for a bowl or small aquarium (up to about 5 gallons) with Red Cherry Shrimp living in it is one like this PULACO 25W aquarium heater. It is preset to 78°F (25.5°C) making it ideal for a shrimp colony.
In Conclusion
Whilst Red Cherry Shrimp do not necessarily need a heater, they do need to be kept at a temperature of between 72°F and 84°F (22°C and 29°C) to really thrive. For most of us, an aquarium heater will be required to keep the water sufficiently warm.
Red Cherry Shrimp are extremely hardy, and they can survive at low temperatures. But the keyword here is ‘survive‘. Most of us want our shrimp colonies to do more than just survive.
Article Sources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neocaridina_davidi
https://www.aquariumcoop.com/blogs/aquarium/breeding-red-cherry-shrimp
https://www.tfhmagazine.com/articles/freshwater/red-cherry-shrimp
