Are Sakura Shrimp the Same As Cherry Shrimp?

Cherry shrimp is a shrimp species that thrives in freshwater surroundings. Since there are several Cherry shrimp types, choosing an ideal one can be confusing. For instance, you might be wondering if Sakura shrimp is the same as Cherry shrimp.

Sakura shrimp are the same as Cherry shrimp, as they belong to the same species. However, they have distinct colorations, making them fall under different grades. Sakura shrimps have a more intense red color than the regular Red Cherry shrimps.

The rest of this article will explain a few topics related to Sakura and Cherry shrimp, including how to differentiate between the Sakura shrimp and the Cherry shrimp, other Cherry shrimp grades, and where to find Sakura Shrimp. Let’s begin.

How Can You Differentiate Sakura Shrimp From the Red Cherry Shrimp?

Color intensity is the distinguishing factor between Sakura and Cherry shrimps. So, if you want to identify a Sakura shrimp, mastering its color will be of great help. Moreover, there are other Cherry shrimp grades, depending on their coloration.

Sakura shrimp has a higher quality grade than the Red Cherry shrimp. This is because it has more intense red coloration than the low-grade Cherry shrimp. However, regular Cherry shrimps are cheaper and easier to breed.

Here’s how to differentiate the Sakura and Cherry shrimp:

Color intensity: If the shrimp has an intense red color, it’s a Sakura shrimp. On the other hand, if it appears transparent, it’s a low-grade Cherry shrimp.
Body structures (abdominal segments): The regular Cherry shrimp has a transparent carapace (the shell which protects the thorax). But, a Sakura shrimp is red, apart from its lower body, where the legs have a translucent red color.
The female shrimp’s back: Female low-grade Cherry shrimps have a backline with a slightly light-colored shell. However, female Sakura shrimps have small dots behind their heads.

What Are Other Red Cherry Shrimp Grades?

Other Red Cherry shrimp grades include Fire Red, Bloody Mary, Painted Red, and Higher Sakura Cherry shrimps. Grading depends on their coloration and also determines their quality.

Here are three crucial things to bear in mind when choosing a Cherry shrimp:

Cherry shrimps with a high intensity of red color are in a higher category and vice versa.
Higher grade Red Cherry shrimps have a higher opacity body. Hence, their bodies are entirely opaque with no translucent pigments.
Male Red Cherry shrimp have a lower red intensity color than female shrimps.

Now, let’s have a look at other Cherry shrimp grades.

Higher Sakura Grade

Higher Sakura shrimps have a more intense red coloration than the lower Sakura grade shrimps. They’re more opaque, as they have fewer blotches. Moreover, they don’t have transparent legs.

They’re a higher quality than regular Cherry and Sakura shrimps. Also, breeding them requires professional knowledge, which means that they’re very expensive, and it’s hard to find them in local shrimp shops.

Fire Red Grade Cherry Shrimp

Fire Red cherry Shrimp have a higher red intensity than other lower grade shrimps. Their bodies appear to be completely opaque, so they’re more attractive due to their strong color. Moreover, their legs are the same intensely red. So, you can’t notice any spots as with other low-grade shrimps.

You also can’t see their eggs and saddle easily due to their strong opacity.

Finding Fire Red shrimps to buy can be a frustrating experience, as they’re not readily available. They’re rare to find because most aquarists don’t breed them. So, one of the best places to buy the Fire Red shrimp is at the Shrimp Farm.

Painted Fire Red Grade Cherry Shrimp

Painted Fire Red Shrimps look painted due to their intense coloration. Moreover, they don’t have any transparent patches on their bodies, so their eggs and saddle are invisible.

That means that they belong to the highest Cherry Shrimp grade.

To spot their eggs, you can use a strong backlight whose light penetrates their bodies. Painted Fire Red shrimps are lovely due to their unique colors. However, they’re rare to find, as only a few aquarists keep them. Moreover, they’re pretty costly, and you may choose to breed them from low-grade shrimps selectively.

Note: If you have no breeding skills, consider seeking the services of a professional aquarist.

Bloody Mary Grade Cherry Shrimp

A recently recognized grade, Bloody Mary grade shrimp, is somehow similar to the Painted Fire Red shrimp. However, their color is more intense, even with the males. Another distinguishing feature is their shorter rostrum, or nose.

Like Painted Fire Red shrimps, this is a high-quality grade that’ll cost you more money than low-grade shrimps. Moreover, it’s a rare type since few aquarists have successfully bred it from the parental breed, which is the Chocolate shrimp.

Are Sakura Shrimp the Same As Cherry Shrimp? — Are Sakura Shrimp the Same As Cherry Shrimp

Where Can You Find Sakura Shrimp?

The best place to find fresh Sakura Shrimp for eating is Shizuoka City, Japan. It’s a globally renowned destination for a large catch of Sakura shrimps.

However, if you want to rear them in your aquarium, you can find them on the following websites:

eBay: They have the best shrimp offers, so hurry while the stock lasts.
Seahorse Aquariums: Sakura shrimps on this website go for different prices depending on the sizes available in the store.
But maybe the best place is find local breeders.

Conclusion

Sakura Shrimps differ from Red Cherry shrimps due to their physical appearance. However, they belong to the same species, and their differences only determine their grading.