The short answer
Keeping shrimp alive comes down to four things: a mature, fully cycled tank, stable water parameters, zero copper, and slow acclimation. Shrimp are hardy once settled but very sensitive to change, so the goal is a calm, consistent environment. Nail those four and a colony of cherry shrimp will not just survive but breed.
Start with a mature, cycled tank
Shrimp have almost no tolerance for ammonia or nitrite, so never add them to a new tank. Cycle it fully first (how to cycle an aquarium) and let it mature for a few weeks so biofilm — the microfilm shrimp graze on — develops. Use a gentle sponge filter so shrimplets aren’t harmed; see do shrimp need a filter.
Keep parameters stable and copper-free
Test regularly with a test kit and keep ammonia and nitrite at zero and nitrate low. Match the right hardness and pH for your species (what pH do shrimp need). Crucially, avoid copper — it’s lethal to shrimp and hides in many fish medications and some plant fertilisers, so only use invert-safe products.
Acclimate slowly and feed lightly
Drip-acclimate new shrimp over one to two hours so temperature and chemistry change gradually — rushing this is a top cause of early death. Once settled, feed sparingly; shrimp graze algae and biofilm all day and need little added food (how often should I feed shrimp). Give them plenty of plants, moss and cover too, which grows extra biofilm and gives shrimplets somewhere to hide and survive. For the full build, see our shrimp tank setup guide and best shrimp tank picks.