There is always something special about adding a completely new species to an aquarium. A couple of days ago, six beautiful Cherry Shrimp arrived in my aquarium, and I have to admit that this is the first time I have ever kept freshwater shrimp. I had seen countless photos and videos of them over the years, but somehow I had never taken the leap myself. Now I finally understand why so many aquarists become completely fascinated by these tiny creatures.

The six shrimp were purchased from Helsingin Akvaariokeskus in Ruoholahti, Helsinki. From the moment I walked into the store, it was easy to see why it has earned such a strong reputation among Finnish aquarium hobbyists. The staff were welcoming, knowledgeable, and genuinely interested in helping customers find the right animals for their aquariums. What impressed me even more was the condition of their aquariums. Every tank looked clean, healthy, and beautifully maintained. The fish appeared vibrant, active, and well cared for, giving me confidence that I was buying healthy animals. It is exactly the kind of aquarium store that inspires confidence.

After only two days in their new home, the shrimp seem to have settled in remarkably well. Instead of hiding all the time, they spend much of the day exploring every corner of the aquarium. They climb over driftwood, inspect every leaf, and happily wander across the rocks looking for tiny bits of food. Watching them has been surprisingly entertaining. Their movements are quick, curious, and almost playful. I never imagined that such small creatures could provide so much enjoyment.

Although they are tiny, Cherry Shrimp have huge personalities. Each individual seems to have its own favourite hiding place and its own route around the aquarium. Sometimes several shrimp gather together on the same plant leaf, while another one decides to investigate the filter intake or a piece of moss. It is impossible not to stop for a few minutes every time I walk past the aquarium.

The Cherry Shrimp is the bright red colour variety of Neocaridina davidi, one of the most popular freshwater shrimp species in the aquarium hobby. Interestingly, wild Neocaridina davidi are not bright red at all. Their natural colour is usually a rather transparent brown or olive shade, allowing them to blend into streams and ponds in Taiwan. The stunning red colour we see today is the result of many generations of selective breeding by aquarium enthusiasts. Over time, breeders developed increasingly intense shades, eventually creating the brilliant red shrimp that have become famous around the world.

One of the reasons these shrimp have become so popular is that they are wonderfully peaceful. They fit perfectly into small community aquariums with other gentle inhabitants and spend their days grazing on algae, biofilm and tiny food particles. Rather than being demanding pets, they quietly contribute to the natural balance of the aquarium while adding constant movement and vibrant colour.

I also discovered something that genuinely made me smile. Apparently, shrimp have their own “lollipops.” Yes, shrimp lollipops actually exist! They are feeding sticks coated with delicious treats that shrimp gather around like children around an ice cream stand. I never expected to be shopping for sweets designed specifically for shrimp, but here we are. Aquarium keeping continues to surprise me in the best possible ways.

This new experience has reminded me that the aquarium hobby is full of discoveries, no matter how many years you have spent around fish. Sometimes it is not the largest or most colourful fish that capture your attention. Sometimes it is a tiny shrimp only a few centimetres long that ends up stealing the show.

I am looking forward to seeing how these six little explorers settle in over the coming weeks. Hopefully they will continue to thrive, perhaps even breed one day, and become the beginning of a much larger colony. For now, though, I am simply enjoying watching them explore their new home, one tiny step at a time.

Who would have guessed that my newest aquarium obsession would be a handful of bright red shrimp?