Hippoherder Posted December 27, 2010 Report Share Posted December 27, 2010 I've got a 30 gallon with a bunch of snails, guppies, 1 yoyo loach, and about 10 cherry shrimp (maybe more that I cant see). Out of all the shrimp there are only 3 that look red. Most are completely see through. Half of them have been in the tank for a couple months so it isn't stress related to a new habitat. Is it just odd genetics, environmental conditions, or both that are keeping them clear? Any ideas? I have a biowheel filter . The substrate is red and white gravel. The temp, which I thought was higher, ended up being about 70 F. I am slowly trying to get it into the mid 70's and it is currently sitting at 72 F. Thanks, Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vallisneria Posted December 27, 2010 Report Share Posted December 27, 2010 They are males. Only the females get to be the bright cherry red color. The males are a pretty much clear, maybe slightly pinkish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gBOYsc2 Posted December 27, 2010 Report Share Posted December 27, 2010 They are males. Only the females get to be the bright cherry red color. The males are a pretty much clear, maybe slightly pinkish. Are you sure? I had a bunch of cherry's before and they were all red. I doubt I had all females. Even all the babies were red. I think it might be due to weak genetics. Maybe you will need to introduce some new genes into the pool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vallisneria Posted December 27, 2010 Report Share Posted December 27, 2010 They are males. Only the females get to be the bright cherry red color. The males are a pretty much clear, maybe slightly pinkish. Are you sure? I had a bunch of cherry's before and they were all red. I doubt I had all females. Even all the babies were red. I think it might be due to weak genetics. Maybe you will need to introduce some new genes into the pool. I bred different lines of cherries for years and none of my males are bright red like the females. They are a more pale, clear pinkish color with kind of a hint of red. Kind of like in this pic This site has a good pic of the difference under the "sexing" section http://www.planetinverts.com/Red%20Cherry%20Shrimp.html Sexing the Red Cherry Shrimp is very easy. Females are easy to identify as they are larger than the males, have a much darker red coloration, and also have a curved underbelly. In the photo below you can see how the male is smaller, has very little red coloration and the "under belly" is a straight line with no curved shape. After keeping the Red Cherry Shrimp for a little amount of time you will be able to sex this species without a problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunl Posted December 28, 2010 Report Share Posted December 28, 2010 I'm new to these, but I'd concur, having done a lot of research. The bright red ones are the females. The batch I have right now - the males have NO red on them whatsoever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvision Posted December 28, 2010 Report Share Posted December 28, 2010 Cherries - both males and females - are brighter under brighter light. Older shrimp will color up. Females get so deep in red it's crazy! Males will develop some red color as well, when they get old. However, for the most part, males are colorless (a few red specks along the body is about it). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hippoherder Posted December 28, 2010 Author Report Share Posted December 28, 2010 Thanks for clearing things up for me. I had thought that is was tank conditions or genetics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corrosionjerry Posted December 31, 2010 Report Share Posted December 31, 2010 I agree the males are generally not all that red / males are smaller and duller in color however the younger ones in the right situation and substrate do demenstrate some nice red when young Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darren88 Posted January 28, 2011 Report Share Posted January 28, 2011 will yoyo loaches, smaller plecos,rams,swordtails,danios,or small tetras eat cherry shrimp or will they do fine in a 120gal planted? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cricket Posted January 28, 2011 Report Share Posted January 28, 2011 loaches, rams, livebearers, even tetras will eat shrimps, my cardinals picked off all my fry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vallisneria Posted January 28, 2011 Report Share Posted January 28, 2011 will yoyo loaches, smaller plecos,rams,swordtails,danios,or small tetras eat cherry shrimp or will they do fine in a 120gal planted? Yes they will, except maybe the plecos. Anything with a mouth big enough to fit a shrimp will eat them and any fish that is too small will usually still try. Plus in a 120g planted tank you'll need a LOT of shrimp to even be able to find them in there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanGofCalgary Posted January 30, 2011 Report Share Posted January 30, 2011 Interesting. I bought a couple bags of 'cherry shrimp' at the CAS auction. Some were quite a bit lighter and I thought I'd gotten some mixed or hybrids. In checking them I see now that there are some slight differences as described, so the lighter ones were just males I believe now. I've been feeding them to my cichlids, maybe I'll actually take a few bags to the meeting auction instead! haha! good topic. thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hippoherder Posted February 13, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 13, 2011 Any thoughts on how or if temperature influences color? I am at 23 C right now. My friend has a higher temp and a much redder population than I. As for a follow up on lighting: My tank was so overgrown, I pulled 90% of the plant life out. It's much brighter and everything in the tank improved in color. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corrosionjerry Posted February 14, 2011 Report Share Posted February 14, 2011 I have cherry shrimp in several tanks... color is more dependent on the substrate , plant material and lighting... Black substrate is great for cherries and green shrimp.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darren88 Posted February 14, 2011 Report Share Posted February 14, 2011 i got the fluval shrimp substrate in my tank and its great is there anything specific thats really good to feed them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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