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Painted Fire Red shrimp (PFR) are the bright, saturated red selective line of Neocaridina davidi - one tier above Sakura Red in color intensity. The red coloration is consistent across the body with no transparent patches. Hardy beginner-friendly shrimp that breed readily and tolerate wide parameter ranges. Among the most popular beginner shrimp in the hobby.
Native range: Captive-bred selective line. Aquarium specimens enter the trade primarily through captive-bred sources - selective breeding programs in Taiwan, Germany, the United States, and Indonesia produce the color-line specimens you find at LFS and online vendors. Wild-caught stock of any shrimp species is increasingly rare and often less hardy than captive-bred lines.
Tank size: 5 gallons is the practical minimum. Shrimp bioload is low - colonies of 50+ adults thrive in 10-gallon tanks with adequate biofilm and filtration. Water parameters: pH 6.5-8.0, temperature 65-78°F, hardness 6-15 dGH. Filtration should be sponge-filter or matten-filter based to prevent shrimp and shrimplets from being sucked into intakes. Avoid HOB filters with strong suction unless modified with sponge pre-filters.
Substrate: depends on species. Neocaridina tolerate any inert substrate (gravel, sand, or planted aquarium soil). Caridina (CRS, Taiwan Bee) require active substrate (ADA Amazonia, Fluval Stratum) that buffers pH down to 5.5-6.8 and maintains soft water. Sulawesi shrimp require buffered alkaline substrate or crushed coral additives.
Plants: Java moss, Christmas moss, Subwassertang, and other fine-leaved species are essential - they provide grazing surface area for biofilm (the primary shrimp food) and cover for shrimplets. Heavy planting dramatically improves colony health and breeding rates.
Painted Fire Red Shrimps eat biofilm continuously and supplement with periodic protein/algae feedings. Primary diet: Biofilm, algae, blanched veggies, shrimp pellets. Feed sparingly - shrimp can survive on biofilm alone in mature tanks for weeks. Over-feeding is the primary cause of water quality problems in shrimp tanks. Best feeding practice: small amount once every 2-3 days, removed within 2-4 hours if uneaten.
Supplemental foods worth rotating: Indian almond leaf (for tannins + grazing surface), mulberry leaf, blanched spinach/zucchini/cucumber (small pieces, removed after 24 hours), snowflake food, mineral stones (Montmorillonite clay), and species-specific commercial foods like Bacter AE, Shrimp Cuisine, or Borneo Wild biofilm enhancers.
Safe: Other Neocaridina, otocinclus, small peaceful fish under 1.5".
Avoid: Predatory fish, copper medications, other Neocaridina color forms (cross-breed).
Adult shrimp can defend against most very small fish, but shrimplets (newly-hatched, sub-3mm) are essentially defenseless and will be eaten by anything fish-shaped. Species-only tanks produce the most prolific colonies; community tanks with fish work but reduce shrimplet survival rate significantly.
Easy. Females carry 20-30 eggs for 25-30 days. Healthy colonies multiply continuously without intervention. Breeding triggers across most shrimp species: stable parameters, biofilm-rich environment, varied diet, moderate temperatures (slightly warmer than maintenance temperature often triggers breeding cycles). Female shrimp signal readiness by carrying eggs under the tail (called "berried" - eggs visible as a clutch of small spheres). Male shrimp pursue females immediately after molting.
Color dilution; molt failure; copper toxicity; fluctuating parameters; insufficient biofilm in new tanks.
PFR has more saturated red with fewer translucent patches. Sakura Red is one tier below in color intensity at typically lower price.
Minimum 10. Colonies under 6 shrimp often fail to establish. 15-20 is ideal for a 10-gallon starter.
Stable colonies produce a new wave every 30-40 days. A 10-shrimp starter becomes 50+ within 4 months.
No - they eat biofilm, algae, and decaying plant matter. Living plants are safe.
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