Why a cherry shrimp log is mostly about restraint
A cherry shrimp care log should mainly tell the sitter what not to do, because a healthy colony largely feeds itself by grazing algae and biofilm. Cherry shrimp pick constantly at surfaces, so the tank rarely looks unfed even when nothing has been added. The log's job is to stop kind-hearted overfeeding, unneeded water changes, and helpful tidying, each of which can swing a small shrimp tank faster than a day of neglect. Write it as short, firm instructions rather than a long menu of tasks.
Feeding days, portions, and the grazing rule
Feeding on a cherry shrimp log should be scheduled by named days, not left to the sitter's judgment. State which days get food and which are grazing-only days, then describe the portion concretely, such as one small piece of shrimp pellet or a single blanched vegetable sliver removed again if untouched after a few hours. Explain that uneaten food fouls a shrimp tank quietly, so 'they still look hungry' is never a reason to add more, since shrimp nearly always look busy. Note any mineral or leaf litter already in the tank, like an almond leaf, so the sitter does not mistake it for rubbish and pull it out.
Water rules that protect a stable colony
Water rules on a cherry shrimp log should prize stability over freshness. Tell the sitter to top up evaporation only, using treated water added slowly, unless you have specifically scheduled a small change with its steps written out. Cherry shrimp, especially the tiny shrimplets hidden in moss, suffer when temperature or water chemistry jumps, so a big well-meant change is a real risk. Add two household warnings in bold terms: no spray cleaners, air fresheners, or insect sprays used near the tank, and hands washed and rinsed before any contact with the water, since residues that barely register to people can harm invertebrates.
Counting shrimp and spotting trouble early
Counting cherry shrimp exactly is impossible in a planted colony, so the log should ask for a general impression instead. Note how many red adults are usually visible grazing at the front and whether berried females carrying eggs are present, so the sitter can report a sudden empty-looking tank. Surface gathering is the key warning sign to name: shrimp massing near the top or around the filter outflow can point to low oxygen, and the response is to check that the filter is running and call you, not to change all the water. A cluster of still shrimp, or many white empty shells appearing at once beyond normal molts, also earns a call.
Contacts and the hands-off default
Contacts close out a cherry shrimp log alongside one simple default: when in doubt, do nothing and phone. List your number, a backup keeper if you have one, and the shop you trust for shrimp advice. Remind the sitter that a missed feeding day is harmless for cherry shrimp, while a wrong product or a rushed water change is not, which reframes caution as good care rather than laziness. Passing this log to your sitter through KinsLe's Care Pass keeps those do-not rules in front of them for the whole stay, so the colony is cared for by your instructions rather than by guesswork.