Assorted Rili Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi)

Assorted Rili Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi) are the classic Rili pattern in a mix of colors: a solid colored head and tail with a clear, see-through middle. They are hardy, peaceful and beginner friendly, and a group of them grazes algae and biofilm all day. Browse the rest of our freshwater invertebrates.

This is a mixed lot, so colors vary from shrimp to shrimp and we can't pick specific colors. Expect a blend of reds, blues, oranges and other Rili colors.

Care Guide

• Tank size: 5 gallons will hold a small group; 10 gallons or more is easier to keep stable. Mature, planted tanks with moss give them the most to graze.
• Water: 70 to 78°F, pH 6.5 to 8.0, GH 6 to 12 and KH 2 to 8. Very soft tap water needs remineralizing so they can molt; Seachem Replenish raises GH. Change water in small amounts and keep it steady, since sudden swings cause failed molts.
• Diet: biofilm and algae, plus a shrimp food such as Vitalis Freshwater Shrimp Pellets a few times a week. Feed small amounts and remove what is left after a few hours.
• Acclimate slowly: drip acclimate for an hour or more. Shrimp handle sudden changes in hardness far worse than fish.
• Molting: they shed their shell regularly. An empty, whole-looking shell is not a dead shrimp; leave it in so they can eat it back for minerals.
• Zero copper: copper in medications or some plant fertilizers is lethal to shrimp. Check every label before dosing.

Specifications

Compatibility

Best in a shrimp tank or with very small, peaceful fish. Good companions include Amano Shrimp, Batik Nerite Snails and tiny schooling fish like Kubotai Rasboras.

Most fish will eat shrimp, especially the babies, so avoid bettas, gouramis, cichlids, angelfish and anything with a mouth big enough to fit one. All Neocaridina colors interbreed, so if you keep these with other color lines such as Assorted Neocaridina or Cherry Shrimp, the babies will drift back toward plain brown or clear over a few generations.

Recommended Foods & Supplies

• Vitalis Freshwater Shrimp Pellets as the staple food
• Seachem Replenish or Seachem Equilibrium to bring soft water up to shrimp hardness
• Batik Nerite Snails as algae-eating tank mates that leave shrimp alone
• Browse all freshwater invertebrates

FAQ

Can I pick the colors?
No. This is an assorted mix, so colors vary from shrimp to shrimp and we bag them as they come.

Will they breed in my tank?
Yes, easily, in a stable tank with no fish to eat the babies. Females carry eggs under the tail for about a month before tiny shrimp hatch.

Why did my shrimp die after a few days?
The usual causes are a fast acclimation, very soft water that makes molting fail, or copper in a medication or fertilizer. Drip acclimate slowly and check hardness.

How many should I buy?
Ten or more. They feel safer and show more color in a group, and a group gives you a breeding colony.

Will my fish eat them?
Most fish will, especially the babies. Keep them alone or with very small, peaceful fish and plenty of moss and plants for cover.