World of ShrimpWhat size tank do cherry shrimp need?
Published · Updated · 5 min read
Quick answer
- Most guides suggest at least 5 gallons (19 liters) for cherry shrimp, and 10 gallons (38 liters) or more if you have the space.
- Smaller tanks can work, but temperature and water quality change faster in them. That makes them harder for beginners.
- A long, low tank suits shrimp better than a tall one, because they live on the bottom and on surfaces.
- Start with at least 10 shrimp. The colony grows by itself.
What the guides say
Shrimp guides do not agree on one number, but they all point the same way.
| Guide | Smallest size | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Shrimp Science (tank sizes) | 1 gallon (about 4 liters) | The biggest tank you can fit and afford |
| Shrimp Science (cherry shrimp care sheet) | 5 gallons (19 liters) | 10 gallons (38 liters) or more |
| Shrimp and Snail Breeder | 5 gallons (19 liters), but harder to keep stable | 10 gallons (38 liters) |
| Flip Aquatics | 5 to 10 gallons is often suggested | At least 10 gallons; 20 gallons is more stable |
So most guides land on 5 gallons as a sensible minimum and 10 gallons as a comfortable start. A 20-liter tank, like the one in our setup guide, is about 5 gallons. It sits at the small end of that range. It works well if you feed lightly and keep up with small water changes.
Why a bigger tank is easier
Shrimp do not need much space to swim. The reason guides suggest a bigger tank is stability: more water changes more slowly.
- Mistakes are diluted. Extra food rots and releases ammonia, which is toxic to shrimp. In more water, the same amount of ammonia is weaker.
- Temperature changes more slowly. A small tank warms up quickly on a sunny day and cools quickly at night. A larger volume takes much longer to heat up.
- Dosing mistakes are smaller. Fertilizer and minerals are harder to overdose in a larger tank.
- Fewer water changes. Small tanks generally need water changes more often.
- Room to grow. Cherry shrimp breed easily in a good tank. A group of 10 can turn into many dozens.
Bigger tanks have downsides too. They cost more, each water change takes longer, and they are heavy. Water weighs about 1 kilogram per liter, so a full 38-liter tank weighs well over 40 kilograms once you add glass and gravel. Put it on furniture that can hold that weight.
Common sizes compared
| Tank size | Good for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 3 gallons (4 to 11 liters) | Experienced keepers | Possible, but the water changes fast. Not a good first tank. |
| 5 gallons (19 liters) | A small first tank | The smallest size most guides recommend. Needs careful feeding. |
| 10 gallons (38 liters) | Most beginners | A common first choice. Easier to keep stable. |
| 20 gallons (76 liters) | A large colony | The most stable of these sizes, but heavier, and more work per water change. |
Gallons here are US gallons. One US gallon is about 3.8 liters.
How many shrimp fit
Stocking guidelines vary a lot. Shrimp Science suggests about 10 to 15 shrimp per gallon for a full colony, which is roughly 2.5 to 4 per liter. Shrimp and Snail Breeder suggests 1 to 3 per liter for beginners. Both describe a grown colony, not how many to buy.
| Tank | Rough colony size over time |
|---|---|
| 5 gallons (19 liters) | About 20 to 75 shrimp |
| 10 gallons (38 liters) | About 40 to 150 shrimp |
| 20 gallons (76 liters) | About 75 to 300 shrimp |
The low number in each row comes from 1 shrimp per liter, and the high number from 15 per gallon. Plants and good filtration push the number up. Heavy feeding pushes it down.
To start, buy about 10. Shrimp and Snail Breeder suggests keeping at least 10 together. A group that size will usually include both males and females, and the colony fills the tank from there. See how many shrimp fit in a 20-liter tank for a worked example.
Shape and placement
- Long and low is best. Shrimp spend their time on the bottom, on plants and on decorations. A long tank gives them more of that space, and its larger water surface helps oxygen get into the water. Shrimp Science calls a long tank a solid choice for a first shrimp tank.
- Cubes are fine for a small shelf or desk, but they have less floor space for the same volume.
- Avoid bowls. Curved glass is hard to clean, and few filters or heaters fit well.
- Keep it out of direct sun and away from radiators, heaters and air vents. All of these cause temperature swings.
- Choose a stable, level surface close to a power socket for the air pump.
Once you have picked a size, the shopping list covers what else you need.
FAQ
What is the minimum tank size for cherry shrimp?
Guides differ. Shrimp Science sets the absolute minimum at about 1 gallon (4 liters), but its care sheet and most other guides suggest at least 5 gallons (19 liters) for a beginner, and 10 gallons (38 liters) or more if you can.
Is a 5-gallon tank big enough for cherry shrimp?
Yes, for a small colony. A 5-gallon (19-liter) tank is the smallest size most guides recommend. It needs light feeding and regular small water changes, because problems build up faster in less water.
How many cherry shrimp can live in a 10-gallon tank?
Start with at least 10. Over time, a 10-gallon (38-liter) tank can hold a colony of roughly 40 to 150, depending on which guideline you follow, how many plants it has and how well it is filtered.
Sources
- Shrimp Science: Shrimp Tank Shapes & Sizes
- Shrimp Science: Red Cherry Shrimp Care Guide
- Shrimp and Snail Breeder: Red Cherry Shrimp: Detailed Guide
- Shrimp and Snail Breeder: Basic Shrimp Tank Setup for Neocaridina
- Flip Aquatics: Setting Up a Neocaridina Shrimp Tank: Beginner's Guide
- Aquarium Co-Op: 5 Ways to Cool Aquarium Water
Keep reading
-
Shrimp tank shopping list: what you actually needThe equipment a first cherry shrimp tank needs, what is nice to have and what you can skip.
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How many cherry shrimp can live in a 20-liter tank?What the stocking guidelines say, and why starting with about 10 is enough.
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How to set up a 20-liter shrimp tankEquipment, substrate, plants, water and cycling, in the order you need them.