Do Red cherry shrimp need a heater?

I realized that maybe my red cherry shrimp die because of being burn by the heater or being cooked. I have a 300 watt I believe aquaeon heater for my 55 gallon fish tank and I set the temperature to 74 so the shrimp can be warm and breed. What I realize is that when I see a dead shrimp, it looks like they were cooked, meat is white and their shell turned to orange color. When I see my shrimp go near the heater while its on, it flinches and backs off. They love to swim everywhere basically. So I actually turn the heater off and I was wondering, I live in California and the temperature in my room is a little chilly. Will the water temperature drop? Lets say if the temperature in my room is like not hot or cold, will the temp. water drop? What is the natural temperature my tank will be on? Right now my temperature is 74. Do shrimp die if the temp is change drastically?

 

The water temperature will drop to room temperature, and shrimp will most likely die with any large temperature swing (as would any fish). keeping the water at a 74-76 would be perfect for the shrimp.

 

But it burns the red cherry shrimp? I don't know what to do

 

But it burns the red cherry shrimp? I don't know what to do

No it doesn't. You may just have high grade cherry shrimp that lose SOME of their color when they die, hence the orange color. Also, I think white flesh is normal....

 

The water temperature will drop to room temperature, and shrimp will most likely die with any large temperature swing (as would any fish). keeping the water at a 74-76 would be perfect for the shrimp.

74-76 is the optimal temp? I though they like it a little warmer like 78?

 

74-76 is the optimal temp? I though they like it a little warmer like 78?

No, actually they will have shorter lifespans at higher temps. They will breed faster but not live as long.