Bloody Mary Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi)
Bloody Mary Shrimp are very sociable, peaceful and easy to keep. In addition, these shrimp are very adaptable, and they can live in many different water parameters, making them perfect for a beginner aquarist as well as the more advanced hobbyist. In addition, these shrimp are scavengers, making them very useful in planted aquariums as they will work continuously to clean up the leftover waste in any aquarium.
It would be best if you kept Bloody Mary Shrimp in more significant numbers; that way, you will get to witness more natural behaviours. However, these shrimp will not care if you keep them in smaller groups.
You can maintain Bloody Mary Shrimp in an aquarium with the most popular fish in the hobby, including Dwarf Gouramis, Tetras, Pencilfish, Dwarf Barbs, smaller Danios, Micro Rasboras and Livebearers. You can also house these shrimp with most other Dwarf Shrimp, Catfish and Freshwater Snails. However, it would be best if you did not put these shrimp with much larger, aggressive species; otherwise, they will be seen as a snack. Moreover, if you would like to build a colony of these shrimp, then you will be better off keeping them in a separate tank; otherwise, the shrimplets may get eaten by the fish.
Bloody Mary Shrimp will thrive in a well established, heavily planted aquarium in either soft or hard water. In addition, these shrimp will appreciate plenty of hiding places made up of driftwood, bogwood and rocks where they can retreat to if necessary.
Bloody Mary Shrimp boasts a deep red even and smooth colouration, which is more intense than other Neo Caradinas. Their exoskeleton is translucent with bright red tissue underneath their bodies. In addition, their noses are rounded and shortened compared to regular Cherry Shrimp.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Neocaridina davidi |
| Year Described | 1904 |
| Other Names | Cherry Shrimp |
| Classification | Malacostraca |
| Order | Decapoda |
| Family | Atyidae |
| Genus | Neocaridina |
| Origins | Taiwan |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Aquarium Level | Bottom |
| Difficulty | Beginner |
| Shoaling | No |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Reproduction | livebearer |
| Lifespan | 1 - 2 years |
| Water Parameters | |
|---|---|
| Water Type | Freshwater |
| PH | 6.0 - 7.8 |
| GH | 4 - 12 |
| KH | 3 - 5 |
| TDS | 150 - 300 |
| Temperature | |
|---|---|
| 64 - 84℉ 17.8 - 28.9℃ | |
Photos of the Bloody Mary Shrimp
Videos
Bloody Mary Shrimp
Natural Habitat
Bloody Mary Shrimp were bred in captivity, so, therefore, they do not have a natural habitat. However, their ancestors originated in Taiwan, where they inhabit slow-moving waters in lakes and streams covered in dense vegetation.
What to feed the Bloody Mary Shrimp
Bloody Mary Shrimp are primarily algae eaters; however, they are unfussy and will eat any food you give them. You should use good quality dried food such as sinking pellets or algae wafers as the staple diet and occasionally provide your shrimp with blanched vegetables such as courgette, peas, spinach, and kale. This will help your shrimp maintain their lovely vibrant red colouration.
How to sex the Bloody Mary Shrimp
It is relatively simple to differentiate between male and female Bloody Mary Shrimp. Males are generally smaller than females, have narrower tails, and are usually several shades lighter than females. In contrast, females are bigger, their tails are broader, and they are much richer in colour.
How to breed the Bloody Mary Shrimp
Bloody Mary Shrimp are one of the most simple freshwater shrimp species to breed, and they will reach sexual maturity somewhere between 4 and 6 months old. So when it comes to producing only one sexed pair of shrimp are required, and as long as the water parameters are just right and they have plenty of food sources, it should be a breeze.
Once the females are ready to start spawning, they will release pheromones into the water to signal their availability to the males. The male shrimp will then go crazy, darting about very actively in the aquarium as they search for the source of the pheromones. Once the males have found what they are looking for, the mating process will take place, during which the male will deposit sperm onto the female's body.
After this, the female will lay her eggs and affix them to her swimmerets.
The eggs will not become fertilised until they pass from her ovaries to the outside of her body. The females may have anything from 20 to 30 eggs each, and they will take around 2 to 3 weeks to hatch. The shrimplets will look like miniature renditions of their parents as soon as they hatch. You should Make sure your aquarium has plenty of plant coverage, as this will make the shrimp feel more safe, comfortable and at peace to enable her to breed sufficiently and provide a safe haven for the shrimplets to hide.