Sometimes—but for most popular Caridina varieties, it is not the best long-term setup.
Red Cherry Shrimp are Neocaridina davidi. Popular Crystal Red, Crystal Black, Blue Bolt, Shadow Panda, and Taiwan Bee-type shrimp are Caridina that generally prefer softer, more acidic water. The biggest problem is not aggression and it is not crossbreeding. It is water-parameter mismatch.
If you are choosing between the two, start with the shrimp whose water requirements naturally match your aquarium rather than forcing both into a compromise. You can compare our current Red Cherry Shrimp for sale with our Caridina shrimp for sale.
Can Caridina and Neocaridina Live Together?
Physically, yes. They are peaceful dwarf shrimp and normally do not attack one another. The real question is whether the same water can keep both groups thriving for years.
For the common soft-water Caridina sold as Crystal Reds or Blue Bolts, the answer is usually no.
| Shrimp | pH | GH | KH | TDS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fire Red Cherry | 7.0–7.8 | 7–8 | 3–4 | 200–250 |
| Crystal Red Caridina | 6.5–6.9 | 4–6 | 0–1 | 90–110 |
| Blue Bolt Caridina | 6.2–6.8 | 4–6 | 0–2 | 90–120 |
Those are the current Shrimp Up Aquatics system/recommended ranges for the listed shrimp. Temperature can overlap, but the mineral and pH targets do not line up cleanly.
Why Crystal Red Shrimp and Cherry Shrimp Are a Poor Match
Crystal Red Caridina are usually kept in soft water with very low KH and lower TDS. Fire Red Cherry Shrimp are maintained here in more mineral-rich water with moderate KH.
If you raise hardness and KH for the Neocaridina, you move away from ideal Crystal Red conditions. If you soften the water heavily for the Caridina, you move away from the mineral environment used for our Fire Reds.
That is why a “middle number” is not automatically a good solution. The goal is not keeping both species barely alive. The goal is giving each shrimp a stable environment that supports normal molting, breeding, and long-term health.
Our Cherry Shrimp GH and KH guide explains why those mineral differences matter.
Can Blue Bolt Shrimp Live With Red Cherry Shrimp?
I would keep them separately. Our Blue Bolt recommendation is roughly pH 6.2–6.8, GH 4–6, KH 0–2, TDS 90–120, and 68–74°F. Fire Reds are maintained around pH 7.0–7.8, GH 7–8, KH 3–4, TDS 200–250, and 65–74°F.
The temperature overlap looks good, but temperature alone does not make two shrimp compatible.
Will Red Cherry Shrimp and Caridina Interbreed?
No. Red Cherry Shrimp are classified as Neocaridina davidi, while Crystal Red and Blue Bolt-type shrimp are in the genus Caridina.
This is different from mixing Red Cherry with Blue Dream, Yellow, or other Neocaridina colors. Those color lines can interbreed. Our Red Cherry Shrimp interbreeding guide explains that distinction.
The Important Exception: Amano Shrimp
Amano Shrimp are also Caridina—Caridina multidentata—but they are much more flexible than Crystal Red and Blue Bolt shrimp.
Aquarium Co-Op lists Amanos across roughly 65–82°F, pH 6–8, and moderate-to-hard GH, which creates substantial overlap with Fire Red Cherry Shrimp. Amanos also do not crossbreed with Cherry Shrimp.
So if someone asks, “Can Cherry Shrimp live with Caridina?” the accurate answer depends on which Caridina.
Amano Shrimp: generally yes.
Crystal Red / Blue Bolt / Bee-type Caridina: better in separate tanks.
Does Substrate Matter When Mixing Caridina and Neocaridina?
Yes. Many soft-water Caridina keepers use active buffering substrate to keep pH and KH low. Red Cherry Shrimp usually do very well with stable inert substrates in moderately mineralized water.
Trying to make one substrate and one water recipe serve opposite chemistry goals adds unnecessary complexity. Our Red Cherry Shrimp substrate guide explains when inert versus active substrate makes sense.
Should You Keep Them Together?
If the Caridina is an Amano Shrimp, yes, provided the tank is mature and the shared parameters suit both.
If the Caridina is Crystal Red, Crystal Black, Blue Bolt, Shadow Panda, or another soft-water Bee-type line, I recommend a separate aquarium.
Before adding either group, review the exact Red Cherry Shrimp water parameters and compare them against the Caridina you want to keep.
FAQ: Red Cherry Shrimp With Caridina
Can Neocaridina and Caridina live in the same tank?
Some can. Amano Shrimp and Red Cherry Shrimp have useful water-parameter overlap. Soft-water Caridina such as Crystal Reds and Blue Bolts are better kept separately.
Can Cherry Shrimp breed with Crystal Red Shrimp?
No. Cherry Shrimp are Neocaridina, while Crystal Reds are Caridina. They are not compatible breeding partners.
What water parameters should I use if I insist on mixing them?
Do not choose a compromise number first. Compare the exact species. If their recommended GH, KH, pH, and TDS do not naturally overlap, separate tanks are the better solution.
Sources & References
GBIF — Neocaridina davidi — Catalogue of Life-backed taxonomy identifying Red Cherry Shrimp within the genus Neocaridina.
Aquarium Co-Op — Amano Shrimp Care Guide — Practical care guidance covering the broad Amano water range, community compatibility, and lack of crossbreeding with Cherry Shrimp.