Red Cherry Shrimp and Red Rili Shrimp 101

Red Cherry Shrimp couple (Female and male, left to right)

  Red cherry shrimps are originally from Taiwan. But I believe that red color is developed during captivity in the aquarium. This also means their color can be changed over time with appropriate selective pressure (Darwin's evolution). Red Rili Shrimps are one of the example of Cherry shrimp variants. They have clear segments between red head and tail, giving them unique appearance.  I can tell you that Red cherry and Red Rili are very hardy shrimps.  These shrimps are easiest to raise in freshwater aquarium than any other kinds of pet shrimps. They will do well and make a successful colony if you stick to some of the basic freshwater aquarium routine.

First thing first...

1. You need a nitrogen cycled aquarium ( 1 gallon size and up). I don't believe in store sold bacteria bottle. Best way to get your tank cycled is getting a used sponge filter from already established freshwater aquarium (from friend etc.). I would use a filter from bigger tank (to jump start your tank let's say you have a 5 gallon tank then you need sponge filter from 5 gallon and up (bigger the better). When you pick up a sponge filter from your friend, make sure that it's fully submerged in your friend's tank water. And do this quickly. Do not leave this filter in your car in hot summer day (all bacteria fried, R.I.P.).
2. For substrates at the bottom of the tank, you can use gravels, sands, aquarium dirt or even glass marbles. 
3. You also need dechlorinated tap water to fill up your tank. I love Seachem Prime. But others should work fine.
4. You also need some hiding places for shrimps. Personally I like Taiwan moss, Rotala rotundifolia, Anubias and Amazon sword but any plants should work out. Even plastic plant is better than none. Shrimps eat bacterial microfilm and algae grown on the surface of leaves (live or plastic) and tank's inner surface.. Personally I love Moss wall that you can put on as backdrop. I'll talk about how to make one later.
5. Of course you can put rocks, fake castle and so on to make your aquarium attractive. But most important thing is filtration, especially if you have other inhabitants other than shrimps in your tank. If you have shrimp only tank, cheapest option is a sponge filter driven by air bubble pump. You can buy one or make one with aquarium safe sponge (I use a polyurethane open cell sponge for air conditioner from home depot). Next option is HOB (hang on back) power filter.. It works well. Best option is canister filter (I recently upgraded to this option and never been happier.. super quiet and crystal clear water....). All these stuffs you can buy brand new from store or buy used from Craigslist for a bargain price.
6. Now you have to find red cherry shrimps. You can get it from variety of source including store or Craigslist (store price can be ridiculously high). They have very low bioload (very small waste producer). You can easily keep 10 shrimps per gallon of water. They are lowest at the bottom of food pyramid. So they want to see each other more often in the tank to feel safe and happy. I don't recommend putting 1-2 shrimps in the tank... Put at least 10 or more if you tank is at least 5 gallon or bigger. Also younger shrimps adapt well to new tank than older shrimps. But older shrimps generally have better coloration and bigger size (They only live 1-2 years). So there's a dilemma of choosing which one..... Young (good adaptation, longer lifespan left) or Old (bigger size, better color, short lifespan left).
7. What about feeding? Shrimp will eat anything.... I have never seen shrimps refusing to eat. Tropical fish flake, pellet, bloodworms, tubifex worms, cucumber, zucchini and leaf litter.
8. Some of the technical stuffs

• Water temperature: 58 to 85 F. Never go over 85F (unless they are acclimated)...... Most parts of San Diego should fall into this temperature range.. Except at Summer...When temperature shoot up too high suddenly,  I dump reusable cold pack into water close to the water spray bar. I know some people don't recommend this but it works out for me. Maybe for you too.
• No ammonia or nitrite in the water... they can tolerate fairly high nitrate but weekly 25% water change is better. Heavy planting also reduce nitrate in the water column.
• San diego tap water is fairly hard. Personally I mix to reduce hardness.
• pH: They can tolerate wide range of pH but prefer slightly acidic pH 6.1-6.5 but pH 7~8 is fine too.

If you have any question, leave a comment. Also you can check out my red cherry and Rili shrimps in sandiego.craigslist.org

Lava rock and Moss wall back-drop