If you’re currently in the market for aquatic plants, then you’re going to want to learn the right and best plants for cherry shrimp(s).
If you are breeding cherry shrimps, then plants are a must-have essential for your aquarium.
Plants give the natural environment to your shrimps and make them feel safe.
If you are a beginner, then choosing the right plants for your cherry shrimps might appear to be a daunting task.
But don’t you worry – this article’s sole purpose is to help you out with that.
There are also some of the things you should know when it comes to taking care of those plants and make them well suited to your cherry shrimps.
You also have to understand these plants and how each plant can affect your shrimps and the overall aquarium environment.
Scroll down and check out the list of best plants for cherry shrimp and find the plant that’s most compatible with your ecosystem!
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#1 Java Moss
The first on the list to find the best plants for cherry shrimp is the Java Moss. Found easily everywhere, this plant is the most novice-friendly plant. It requires very little attention and is a perfect fit for a low-end aquarium.
If you want something that looks good and doesn’t demand that much care and attention, then java moss should be on your list.
Furthermore, cherry shrimps are also accustomed to java moss.
Cherry shrimps love to eat this plant since this plant attracts food particles.
The plant is very dense and thick, therefore, baby shrimps can hide themselves in them. This comes useful when a small shrimp is being bullied by other shrimps in the tank.
They are also oxygen-producing plants that keep the water breathable.
Specifications:
- Very easy to handle
- Requires low lightning
- PH levels can range from 6 to 8
- Normal temperatures are 15 to 32 C
- No substrate required
Java moss is a good plant for cherry shrimps that contributes to making food sources like biofilm for the shrimps. It is a good source of oxygen and keeps the water healthy.
#2 Java Fern
Java fern is also one of those plants that cherry shrimps like to play with. This is a very tough plant and can withstand many water and pH conditions inside the water.
Very similar to the java moss, this plant does not require any kind of substrate to grow and can anchor its roots very well.
Furthermore, it also does not require CO2. Of course, you can always put in some CO2 but it is not a necessity for this plant.
It is very good at filtering out water and gives out a lot of oxygen to keep the water healthy. They are also a good aesthetic addition to your tank.
Furthermore, shrimps like to graze on these plants a lot and like strolling around the leaves.
Specifications:
- Requires low lightning
- pH range from 6 to 8
- Temperature is 15 to 32 degrees C
- No CO2 required
- Rhizome division type propagation
Java ferns are plants with very large leaves that shrimps love so much, therefore, it will be a good addition to your aquarium for its aesthetic appeal and its ability to oxygenate the water.
#3 Anubias Nana Petite
Anubias Nana Petite as evident from its name is petite and small plants and is very different from other ferns. They come attached with driftwood and unlike other Anubias species, they are far less demanding.
They can go with every type of water condition and can withstand a wide range of temperatures.
It will be able to grow in low light as well as high lighting conditions. They thrive in CO2 but it is not an absolute necessity.
One of the good things about these plants is that they come pre-attached with driftwood so you will have no problem planting it.
Just place the wood anywhere in the tank and that will be all.
Specifications:
- Easy to handle plants
- No additional care required
- Works well in low as well as high lighting conditions
- PH level starts from 5 and can go up to 8
- Operating temperature is 22 to 28 degree C
Anubias Nana petite are a great source of filtration for your tank as they provide a high amount of oxygen and grow very slowly. Therefore, you can use it without any problems.
#4 Water Wisteria
This one is a bit different than the rest of the plants. It has a class of its own. It has a rootless system and will require a substrate. As soon as you plant it in the substrate, it will develop strong roots and will anchor to the base of the tank.
It is a bit demanding though and will require some fertilizers, some moderate CO2, and generous lighting as well.
But once you get used to it, you will find that it is a strong plant and can withstand a wide range of tank parameters.
However, do note that if you want an excellent growth of these plants, you will need to take a wee bit of extra care for them to grow lush green.
Specifications:
- Moderate handling level
- Lightning required
- PH from 6 to 7.5
- Fast growth rate
- Side shoot propagation system.
This plant is preferred much for its ability to oxygenate the water and for its high growth rate. Although it requires some care, mostly you will have no problems with it. Just make sure to provide some lighting to it.
#5 Cryptocoryne
Better known as Crypts, they come in many shapes, colors, and varieties. There are many species of cryptocorynes like the Petchii which are known for its pink color and the Wendtii which are famous for their rough appearance.
Cherry shrimps blend in with almost all of them without any issues.
Visually speaking they have a similar appearance with java ferns and prefer low lighting conditions.
But if you want to know about maintenance, they are quite demanding.
First, you are going to need a substrate for these plants to grow.
Then these plants need to be at least 2 inches down the substrate for them to be able to develop their roots.
Furthermore, you have to be cautious as these plants can suffer from crypt melt, a condition where they start to lose their leaves owing to an imbalance in the water parameters.
Make sure to monitor your pH levels.
Specifications:
- Intermediate difficulty
- Low lighting
- pH from 6.0 to 7.5
- 2-inch depth for substrate
- Root division type propagation
A beautiful looking plant that requires care but which can be extremely beneficial to the shrimps as it regulates the water parameters and balances them.
#6 Dwarf Lilies
Dwarf lilies are very delicate and slow-growing plants. These are intended for sophisticated people with a sense of aesthetics.
If you are new to this business, I’m going to advise you not to use them when you plant your tank for the first time.
If your tank is filled with shrimps, it might not be a good idea at all to have these plants.
If you do intend on planting these, make sure that when you buy them, the roots are not too fragile and that those plants are mature enough to grow.
Specifications:
- Intermediate level handling
- High lighting required
- pH from 5.5 to 7.5
- Operating temperature range from 72 to 82 degrees F
- Fast growth rate
Very sophisticated plants which require attention and high lighting conditions. If you want something very appealing and are already experienced with planting, then you should go with this one.
#7 Vallisneria
Most commonly known as Vals, Vallinsneria is plants that are shaped as grass. They can grow very tall and can be good hiding spots for baby shrimps.
These grass-like plants can accumulate a lot of food particles on them and that is primarily the reason why shrimps love to eat them.
They are very easy to take care of and are not demanding at all.
However, you do need to maintain them.
They can grow very tall and big and are not a good choice for a small tank so you will have to trim some of them.
Just make sure not to do that with the tall ones.
Specifications:
- Easy handling
- Requires high lighting
- pH from 6.5 to 8.5
- Requires substrate
- Prefers CO2
These are very easy to go plants which require little to minimum attention. With a little maintenance, you can make your tank look beautiful with these plants.
#8 Bucephalandra
These plants are very similar to the Anubias species. People have started using them very recently in their tanks.
They come in a variety of colors and can make your aquarium look lush green.
They are less demanding than most of the other plants and are very strong as they can withstand a variety of water conditions and temperatures.
Furthermore, these plants can grow in both high lighting and low lighting conditions.
Your cherry shrimps are going to love these plants as they are large plants that make a good biofilm growth.
Specifications:
- Operating temperature from 72 to 84 degrees F
- No substrate requirement
- Slow growth rate
- Low amount of CO2 needed
- Cutting type propagation
Low maintenance plants with a beautiful color projection that makes your tank pop out bright lush colors.
#9 Water Lettuce
Water lettuce is a floating plant and is therefore different from all the other plants on this list.
This is one of my personal favorites as they come with a lot of benefits for the tank.
Water lettuce has long floating roots which can suck harmful chemicals from the tank which includes nitrate and ammonia that can be harmful to the shrimps.
If you want something that will keep your tank clean naturally then this will be a perfect choice for you.
The roots also attract food particles which is a nourishing source for your shrimps.
They also provide good hiding spots for baby shrimps.
Specifications:
- Requires moderate lighting
- PH levels from 6 to 7.5
- Temperatures from 71 to 82 degrees F
- No CO2 needed
- Easy handling
I can say that your shrimps will simply love these. The texture of these plants is amazing and that is what makes them unique from the rest of the plants. Overall it is a nice choice for natural filtration.
#10 Rotala Rotundifolia
These are one of my favorites as they add to a nice decoration to your tank. These are a great choice for people who have an aesthetic sense and prefer projective colors for their tank.
These plants will however require some special care for them to flourish and have a lush green color. These are stem plants and go extremely well in high lighting conditions.
Co2 and fertilizers can do the job faster.
You will find that naturally these plants have a high growth rate and can easily withstand a wide range of water conditions.
If you are unable to maintain the chemical levels then these plants are likely to not be affected by the chemical imbalance of ammonia.
These plants also create a good breeding environment for the new shrimps.
The best thing is that these plants prevent the formation of anaerobic pockets which can be very harmful to the shrimps.
Specifications:
- Generous lighting required
- Advanced handling required
- PH from 5 to 8
- Substrate required
- Fast growth rate
- Stem propagation
These are some of those plants that are beautiful and do not require a lot of care. They have a bushy look and are highly loved by cherry shrimps.
From VivariumTips,
I will end this review with a note. Even though there are a lot more than 10 best plants for cherry shrimp, there may be other plants not listed that can better fit your needs.
Note: This list only includes plants that previous aquarium owners have personally had experience with.
Most of the plants included on this list are very easy to take care of and do not require any additional maintenance.
These plants can go well with your cherry shrimps.
Tip: I would advise you to use plants that offer good hiding places for baby shrimps as they are naturally very delicate.
If you have other aquatic life in your tank, then there’s a high probability of these creatures attacking your cherry shrimps.
Therefore, it is essential that you provide them with hiding spots.
These plants are very important for your shrimps to thrive as they need these plants to stay healthy and conform to their natural habitat.
If you enjoyed reading about the best plants for cherry shrimp, you might also want to check out my other recommended products and cherry shrimp articles:
- Cherry Shrimps For Sale Online
- Do Cherry Shrimps Eat Brown Algae?
- Cherry Shrimp Molting: Guide
- Do Cherry Shrimps Need A Filter?
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