Bloody Mary Shrimp

Bloody Mary Shrimp | Neocaridina davidi 'Bloody Mary' — Deep Red Colour for a Planted Aquarium

Bloody Mary Shrimp is a selectively bred Neocaridina davidi variety known for its intense red colour. Adults grow to around 3 cm, with males generally smaller than females. Like other Neocaridina shrimp, they are easy to care for and can breed readily in a suitable aquarium.

Set up a fully cycled, mature tank with stable water conditions. Live plants, driftwood, leaf litter and shrimp hides provide cover and foraging surfaces where biofilm can grow. A dark substrate can help the shrimp’s colour stand out. Bloody Mary Shrimp are peaceful omnivores that graze on biofilm, algae, detritus and leftover food, with supplemental shrimp food and blanched vegetables.

Specifications

• Common name: Bloody Mary Shrimp
• Scientific name: Neocaridina davidi 'Bloody Mary'
• Origin: Selectively bred variety; the source lists China as its origin
• Colour: Deep red
• Adult size: Up to approximately 3 cm
• Care level: Easy
• Minimum aquarium size: About 19 litres; around 38 litres is a more forgiving starting size
• pH: 6.2–8.0
• Temperature: 18–27°C
• Hardness: 5–12
• Total dissolved solids: 150–250
• Water quality: Aquarium must be fully cycled; ammonia and nitrite should remain at 0, with nitrate ideally below 10
• Diet: Omnivorous; biofilm, algae, detritus, leftover food, shrimp food and blanched vegetables
• Breeding: Can begin breeding at around 2–3 months; females carry eggs for about 30 days
• Suitable tankmates: Other shrimp and snails; some nano fish may be suitable in a densely planted aquarium

How to Keep Bloody Mary Shrimp

1. Prepare a mature aquarium: Fully cycle the tank before adding shrimp. A tank of about 19 litres or more is suitable, while a larger aquarium is easier to keep stable.
2. Add plants and cover: Use live plants, driftwood, leaf litter and shrimp hides to provide shelter and foraging surfaces. Dark substrate can make their red colour stand out.
3. Keep water conditions stable: Maintain a pH of 6.2–8.0, temperature of 18–27°C, hardness of 5–12 and TDS of 150–250. Condition tap water to remove chlorine and chloramine before use.
4. Choose tankmates carefully: Shrimp-only or invertebrate aquariums offer the best protection for young shrimp. Avoid larger fish, including cichlids, that may prey on them.
5. Feed a varied diet: Let the shrimp graze on biofilm, algae and detritus. Supplement with quality shrimp food and blanched vegetables, and remove uneaten food after a few hours.
6. Acclimate gradually: Match the transport water temperature to the aquarium, then drip aquarium water into the shrimp’s container at about 2–3 drops per second. Increase the water volume to about four times its starting amount over roughly 1.5–2.5 hours. Net the shrimp into the tank without adding transport water.

Care & Maintenance Tips

• Test water regularly and prioritise stable conditions over chasing exact target readings.
• Perform small weekly water changes to maintain water quality.
• Leave some biofilm available for grazing, especially for young shrimp.
• Keep the aquarium light off and do not feed the shrimp for the first 24 hours after introduction.
• Different Neocaridina varieties can interbreed, which can change the colour of their offspring.
• Females carry eggs beneath the abdomen for about 30 days; young shrimp develop their red colour over the following weeks.