Live plants are one of the best upgrades you can add to a cherry shrimp tank. They provide food, shelter, and a safe space for baby shrimp to grow. The best plants for cherry shrimp in aquariums are easy to care for, support biofilm growth, and help keep your water clean. In this list, you’ll discover the top 10 plants that work best for shrimp tanks—whether you’re setting up a new colony or improving an existing one.
Top 10 Best Plants for Cherry Shrimp in Aquariums
These plants are selected not just for how they look—but for how well they support cherry shrimp health, breeding, and ease of care. Many of them require low light, minimal trimming, and grow without CO₂, making them perfect for beginners or low-tech tanks.
1. Java Moss
Why it’s great: It’s one of the easiest plants to grow and ideal for new aquarists. It doesn’t need special lighting, spreads naturally, and creates biofilm that cherry shrimp love to graze on. Its thick strands are perfect for hiding baby shrimp, especially in breeder tanks.
One of the most beginner-friendly mosses. Java Moss thrives in low light, provides constant biofilm, and offers baby shrimp plenty of cover. It’s easy to attach to rocks or driftwood and requires very little maintenance.
2. Christmas Moss
A denser, more decorative alternative to Java Moss. It creates layered shelter and is ideal for breeding tanks. Slightly more demanding in terms of light, but still a solid choice for shrimp tanks.
3. Subwassertang
Soft and leafy, this clumping plant is perfect for grazing and hiding. It grows in loose mats and offers baby shrimp a safe haven. A great alternative to moss that doesn’t need anchoring.
For more options, see our guide to low light aquarium plants.
4. Anubias Nana
Why it’s great: This hardy rhizome plant grows slowly and thrives in low light. Its tough leaves offer stable grazing spots and resting places. Because it doesn’t need to be planted in the substrate, it’s ideal for scaping hardscape layouts in shrimp tanks.
This slow-growing rhizome plant is ideal for low-tech tanks. With its thick leaves and ability to grow on hardscape, it’s a favorite spot for shrimp to graze and molt.
5. Bucephalandra (Buce)
Adds a splash of color and texture to your shrimp tank. Buce grows well in low to medium light and provides plenty of hiding spots and grazing areas. Slightly more delicate but worth the look.
6. Java Fern
Why it’s great: Another low-maintenance rhizome plant, Java Fern attaches easily to wood or rocks. Its large leaves act as natural canopies, giving shrimp secure spots to molt, graze, and rest. It also handles a wide range of water parameters.
A hardy plant with flowing leaves that offer shelter and resting places. Like Anubias, it grows on hard surfaces and is great for shrimp-only tanks.
Learn what else shrimp love to eat: What to Feed Aquarium Shrimp
7. Duckweed
A fast-spreading floating plant that provides shade and biofilm. Be careful—it grows aggressively and needs regular thinning to prevent light block.
8. Salvinia
A slower-growing floating plant that’s easier to manage. It floats neatly on the surface and offers roots that baby shrimp love.
9. Frogbit
Larger than Duckweed or Salvinia, Frogbit has long roots that dangle into the tank. Excellent for shrimp fry and for keeping light diffused.
10. Monte Carlo
Why it’s great: This carpeting plant grows close to the substrate and spreads into a lush green mat. Shrimp enjoy crawling underneath the leaves for safety and food. It grows faster than many other carpet options and doesn’t need CO₂ if lighting and nutrients are steady.
A soft, carpeting plant that creates ground-level shelter and grazing areas. It grows best with stable light and nutrients but doesn’t require CO₂.
Check out: Aquarium Carpet Plants and Foreground Plants
How to Choose the Right Plants for Your Shrimp Tank
- Lighting: For low light setups, stick with mosses, Anubias, and ferns. Higher light allows for Monte Carlo and stem plants like Ludwigia.
- Tank size: Smaller tanks benefit from compact and floating plants. Larger tanks can combine carpeting, midground, and tall plants.
- Avoid copper: Use only shrimp-safe fertilizers and products.
Need help with minerals? Visit: Shrimp Calcium Supplement
FAQs
Do cherry shrimp eat live plants?
No, they graze on algae and biofilm but won’t damage healthy plants.
Can I use fertilizers in a shrimp tank?
Yes, as long as they are copper-free and shrimp-safe.
What’s the best plant for baby shrimp?
Java Moss and Subwassertang. Both offer safe, dense cover and biofilm.
Do I need high light to grow these plants?
No. Many like Java Moss, Anubias, and Java Fern do well in low light.
Low Light Aquarium Plants
How do I attach moss or rhizome plants?
Use aquarium-safe glue, thread, or fishing line. They’ll root naturally over time.
Are fake plants okay?
Yes, but they don’t support biofilm or improve water quality like live plants.
Will floating plants block light?
They can if not trimmed. Keep an open section to ensure light reaches the bottom. Raising shrimp too? Read: How to Raise Baby Shrimp
