Description
🌟 Black Rili Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi var. Black Rili)
📌 Basic Info
-
Scientific Name: Neocaridina davidi (Black Rili variant)
-
Common Name: Black Rili Shrimp
-
Size: ~1 – 1.2 inches (2.5 – 3 cm)
-
Lifespan: 1.5 – 2 years
-
Tank Zone: Bottom to mid (grazes on plants, rocks, glass, and substrate)
🌊 Water Parameters
-
TDS: 100 – 250 ppm
-
pH: 6.5 – 7.5
-
Temperature: 20°C – 26°C (68°F – 79°F)
-
Water Type: Freshwater, soft to moderately hard
-
Hardness: GH 4–8, KH 3–6
🐟 Characteristics
-
Attractive black coloration with transparent body sections → gives a unique rili patterned look.
-
Peaceful, hardy, and great for community aquariums.
-
Constant grazers → eat algae and leftover food, keeping the tank clean.
-
Easy to breed if conditions are stable.
-
Females are bigger and usually show deeper color than males.
🍽️ Food
-
Type: Omnivorous scavenger.
-
Diet: Algae, biofilm, shrimp pellets, blanched vegetables (spinach, cucumber, zucchini), spirulina, quality shrimp food.
-
Feeding Frequency: 3–4 times per week, only small portions.
🛠️ Maintenance
-
Weekly 15–20% water changes.
-
Use a sponge filter to protect baby shrimp.
-
Provide plants, moss, and driftwood → for grazing and hiding.
-
Avoid copper in meds/fertilizers (toxic to shrimp).
-
Stability of water is more important than perfect parameters.
👥 Social Behavior
-
Minimum Group Size: 10+ (thrive in colonies).
-
Tank Mates: Peaceful small fish – rasboras, ember tetras, endlers, guppies, otocinclus, snails.
-
Avoid: Predatory/aggressive fish (bettas, cichlids, barbs, goldfish).
✅ Do’s
-
Keep in planted tanks with moss and hiding spots.
-
Acclimate slowly when introducing to a new tank.
-
Maintain stable, cycled aquariums.
-
Keep them in groups/colonies for best health and breeding.
❌ Don’ts
-
Don’t keep with big/aggressive fish.
-
Don’t overfeed → can cause ammonia spikes.
-
Don’t use copper-based medicines.
-
Don’t add to new or uncycled tanks.
⭐ Quick Tips
-
Popular for their stylish black + transparent pattern.
-
Hardy, peaceful, and beginner-friendly shrimp.
-
Great for algae cleaning and maintaining tank balance.
-
Adds a classy black-and-clear contrast to planted aquariums
