Top 10 Freshwater Shrimp Species for Beginners in 2027
By Kory White · Updated Oct 2026 · 5 min read
Direct answer
The Red Cherry Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi) is the best freshwater shrimp for beginners: LiveAquaria rates it Easy, it needs only a 5 gallons minimum tank, and it stays peaceful at up to 1.5". The Sakura Shrimp is #2 and the Yellow Shrimp is #3, with identical care.
Moderate (LiveAquaria), which says it is not the best choice for beginners
An experienced keeper adding a black and white shrimp
Pick by what you want
Easiest overall
Red Cherry Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi)
Best algae cleaner (10 gallons)
Amano Shrimp (Caridina multidentata)
Blue color, Easy care
Blue Velvet Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi)
Biggest, filter-feeding (20 gallons)
Vampire Shrimp (Atya gabonensis)
Step up after your first colony
Crystal Red Shrimp (Caridina cantonensis)
The ranking
1
Red Cherry Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi)
Photo: Atulbhats / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe easiest shrimp to start with.
Care level: Easy (LiveAquaria)Tank and water: 5 gallons minimum; pH 6.6 - 7.0; 60 - 80° F (LiveAquaria)Size and temperament: Peaceful, up to 1.5" (LiveAquaria)Species: Sold globally in the aquarium trade and able to tolerate a wide range of environmental conditionsPrice: $19.99 for a 6 pack, $25.99 for a 12 pack (LiveAquaria)
LiveAquaria rates the Red Cherry Shrimp Easy, with a 5 gallons minimum, pH 6.6 - 7.0 and 60 - 80° F. It stays peaceful at up to 1.5" and sells for $19.99 for a 6 pack. It is sold globally in the aquarium trade and tolerates a wide range of environmental conditions.
Go ifA first shrimp tank of 5 gallons or more
Skip ifYou keep loaches, puffers or other larger carnivores that eat invertebrates
Why #1 over #2: It is rated Easy at 5 gallons and a 12 pack is $25.99, against $38.99 for a Sakura 12 pack.
2
Sakura Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi)
Photo: DirkBlankenhaus / CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictRed Cherry care, richer color.
Care level: Easy (LiveAquaria)Tank and water: 5 gallons minimum; pH 6.6 - 7.0; 60 - 80° F (LiveAquaria)Size and temperament: Peaceful, up to 1.5" (LiveAquaria)Color: Red and orange; LiveAquaria says the coloration mimics cherry blossomsPrice: $19.99 for a 6 pack, $38.99 for a 12 pack (LiveAquaria)
The Sakura Shrimp matches the Red Cherry on every published spec: Easy, 5 gallons minimum, pH 6.6 - 7.0, 60 - 80° F, peaceful, up to 1.5". LiveAquaria lists it in red and orange and sells a 6 pack for $19.99.
Go ifA deeper red than the standard Red Cherry in the same easy setup
Skip ifYou want the cheapest 12 pack; the Red Cherry 12 pack costs less
Why #2 over #3: Its $19.99 buys a 6 pack, while the Yellow Shrimp is a 3 pack at $19.99.
3
Yellow Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi)
Photo: DirkBlankenhaus / CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictSame care, a splash of yellow.
Care level: Easy (LiveAquaria)Tank and water: 5 gallons minimum; pH 6.6 - 7.0; 60 - 80° F (LiveAquaria)Size and temperament: Peaceful, up to 1.5" (LiveAquaria)Variety: A color variety of the Red Cherry Shrimp, developed by selective breedingPrice: $19.99 for a 3 pack, $35.99 for a 6 pack (LiveAquaria)
LiveAquaria says the Yellow Shrimp is a color variety of the Red Cherry Shrimp, developed by selective breeding. It is Easy, needs 5 gallons minimum and sells for $19.99 for a 3 pack or $35.99 for a 6 pack.
Go ifBright yellow in a planted tank
Skip ifYou plan to keep it with loaches, puffers or other carnivores
Why #3 over #4: It matches the Blue Velvet on Easy care and 5 gallons, and has a smaller $19.99 entry pack of 3.
4
Blue Velvet Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi)
Photo: TonyZimbinski / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe blue option with Red Cherry care.
Care level: Easy (LiveAquaria)Tank and water: 5 gallons minimum; pH 6.6 - 7.0; 60 - 80° F (LiveAquaria)Size and temperament: Peaceful, up to 1.5" (LiveAquaria)Variety: A color variety of the Red Cherry Shrimp, with a dazzling blue colorPrice: $19.99 for a 6 pack, $37.99 for a 12 pack (LiveAquaria)
The Blue Velvet Shrimp is a color variety of the Red Cherry with a dazzling blue color. LiveAquaria rates it Easy at 5 gallons minimum, pH 6.6 - 7.0, and sells a 6 pack for $19.99.
Go ifA blue accent in a peaceful planted tank
Skip ifYou use copper-based medications; LiveAquaria says never to use them with ornamental invertebrates
Why #4 over #5: Its 12 pack is $37.99, against $38.99 for the Black Sakura, at the same Easy rating and 5 gallons.
5
Black Sakura Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi)
Answrs VerdictThe black option, Easy care.
Care level: Easy (LiveAquaria)Tank and water: 5 gallons minimum; pH 6.6 - 7.0; 60 - 80° F (LiveAquaria)Size and temperament: Peaceful, up to 1.5" (LiveAquaria)Color: BlackPrice: $19.99 for a 6 pack, $38.99 for a 12 pack (LiveAquaria)
The Black Sakura Shrimp is listed in black, rated Easy and peaceful, and needs 5 gallons minimum at pH 6.6 - 7.0. A 6 pack costs $19.99.
Go ifA dark shrimp that stands out against light plants and wood
Skip ifYou want a bright color; it is listed as black
Why #5 over #6: It is Easy at 5 gallons, while the Amano Shrimp needs 10 gallons.
6
Amano Shrimp (Caridina multidentata)
Photo: Atulbhats / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe best algae cleaner, if you have 10 gallons.
Care level: Easy (LiveAquaria)Tank and water: 10 gallons minimum; pH 6.0 - 7.6; 60 - 80° F (LiveAquaria)Size and temperament: Peaceful, up to 2" (LiveAquaria)Lifespan: 2 to 3 years in captivity; very difficult to breed (LiveAquaria)Price: $19.99 for a 6 pack, $31.99 for a 12 pack (LiveAquaria)
LiveAquaria rates the Japonica Amano Shrimp Easy, with a 10 gallons minimum, pH 6.0 - 7.6 and 60 - 80° F. It grows to 2", lives 2 to 3 years in captivity and is very difficult to breed. A 6 pack is $19.99.
Go ifCleaning algae and leftover food in a 10-gallon or larger tank
Skip ifYou want shrimp that breed in your tank
Why #6 over #7: Its 60 - 80° F range is wider than the Ghost Shrimp's 68 - 85° F at the same 10 gallons minimum.
7
Ghost Shrimp (Palaemon paludosus)
Photo: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center / CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictCheap, clear and easy, but sold in big packs.
Care level: Easy (LiveAquaria)Tank and water: 10 gallons minimum; pH 6.5 - 8.0; 68 - 85° F (LiveAquaria)Size and temperament: Peaceful, up to 2" (LiveAquaria)Species: Commonly known as ghost shrimp, glass shrimp and eastern grass shrimp; popular in the domestic aquarium businessPrice: $150.99 for a 100 pack (LiveAquaria listing, sold out when checked)
The Ghost Shrimp, also called glass shrimp, is rated Easy with a 10 gallons minimum, pH 6.5 - 8.0 and 68 - 85° F. It grows to 2". LiveAquaria lists it only as a 100 pack at $150.99, sold out when checked.
Go ifAn inexpensive scavenger with a transparent body
Skip ifYou want an extended guarantee; LiveAquaria exempts ghost shrimp from it after arrival
Why #7 over #8: It needs 10 gallons, while the Vampire Shrimp needs 20 gallons.
8
Vampire Shrimp (Atya gabonensis)
Photo: Citron / CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictEasy to keep, but it needs a big tank with current.
Care level: Easy (LiveAquaria)Tank and water: 20 gallons minimum; pH 6.5 - 7.5; 75 - 84° F (LiveAquaria)Size and temperament: Peaceful, up to 6" (LiveAquaria)Lifespan: Up to 5 years under the right conditions; needs strong current and very fine floating foodPrice: $52.99 for a 3 pack, $104.99 for a 6 pack (LiveAquaria listing, sold out when checked)
The Vampire Shrimp, sold by LiveAquaria as the Viper Shrimp, is rated Easy but needs 20 gallons minimum, 75 - 84° F and strong current. It reaches 6" and can live up to 5 years. A 3 pack is listed at $52.99, sold out when checked.
Go ifA larger tank with strong water flow and small peaceful fish
Skip ifYour tank is under 20 gallons or has no strong current
Why #8 over #9: It is rated Easy, while the Crystal Red Shrimp is rated Moderate.
9
Crystal Red Shrimp (Caridina cantonensis)
Photo: Dack9 / CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictA rewarding second shrimp, not a first.
Care level: Moderate (LiveAquaria)Tank and water: 5 gallons minimum; pH 6.0 - 7.0; 70 - 78° F (LiveAquaria)Size and temperament: Peaceful, up to 1.25" (LiveAquaria)Variety: A red and white variety of the bee shrimp, specially bred for the aquarium hobbyPrice: $30.99 for a 3 pack, $61.99 for a 6 pack (LiveAquaria)
The Crystal Red Shrimp is rated Moderate by LiveAquaria, with 5 gallons minimum, pH 6.0 - 7.0 and 70 - 78° F. It reaches 1.25". A 3 pack costs $30.99.
Go ifA step up once a Neocaridina colony is thriving
Skip ifThis is your first shrimp; its care level is Moderate, not Easy
Why #9 over #10: LiveAquaria rates both Crystal shrimp Moderate at 5 gallons, but says only the Crystal Black is not the best choice for beginners.
10
Crystal Black Shrimp (Caridina cantonensis)
Photo: DirkBlankenhaus / CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictStriking, but not for a first tank.
Care level: Moderate (LiveAquaria), which says it is not the best choice for beginnersTank and water: 5 gallons minimum; pH 6.0 - 7.0; 70 - 78° F (LiveAquaria)Size and temperament: Peaceful, up to 1.25" (LiveAquaria)Water changes: Sensitive to changes in water; smaller, more frequent water changes are recommendedPrice: $17.99 for a 6 pack, $35.99 for a 12 pack (LiveAquaria)
LiveAquaria rates the Crystal Black Shrimp Moderate and says it is not the best choice for beginners. It needs 5 gallons minimum, pH 6.0 - 7.0 and 70 - 78° F, and is sensitive to changes in water. A 6 pack costs $17.99.
Go ifAn experienced keeper adding a black and white shrimp
Skip ifYou are new to shrimp; LiveAquaria says it needs a more experienced caretaker
How we ranked these
We ranked each shrimp on LiveAquaria's published care level (Easy before Moderate), then the smallest minimum tank size, then the width of the published temperature range. Species facts come from Wikipedia. Prices are LiveAquaria's listed pack prices. Facts are taken from each maker's own published information; check the official site before you buy.
Questions people ask
What is the easiest freshwater shrimp for a beginner?
The Red Cherry Shrimp. LiveAquaria rates it Easy, with a 5 gallons minimum tank and a peaceful temperament.
Can I keep shrimp with loaches or puffers?
No. LiveAquaria says not to house Red Cherry Shrimp with loaches, puffers and other larger carnivores that will feed on invertebrates.
Can I use copper medications in a shrimp tank?
No. LiveAquaria says shrimp are sensitive to copper and copper-based medications should never be used in aquariums housing ornamental invertebrates.
How long do Amano shrimp live?
LiveAquaria gives an average life span of 2 to 3 years in captivity for the Japonica Amano Shrimp.
Minimum tank size at a glance
Red Cherry Shrimp5 gallons
Sakura Shrimp5 gallons
Yellow Shrimp5 gallons
Blue Velvet Shrimp5 gallons
Black Sakura Shrimp5 gallons
Crystal Red Shrimp5 gallons
Crystal Black Shrimp5 gallons
Amano Shrimp10 gallons
Ghost Shrimp10 gallons
Vampire Shrimp20 gallons
Minimum tank size, as published by each maker. Picks without a published figure are left off.
