Bloody Mary Shrimp care guide
Bloody Mary Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi var. 'Bloody Mary') — minimum tank 20 L, temperature 20-26 °C, pH 6.5-7.5.
Overview
The Bloody Mary Shrimp is a distinct red line of Neocaridina davidi in which the colour derives from the underlying tissue rather than the carapace. The result is a very deep, blood-red appearance that does not fade with age in the same way as carapace-pigmented lines.
Taxonomy
- Family: Atyidae
- Genus: Neocaridina
- Scientific name: Neocaridina davidi var. 'Bloody Mary'
- Common synonyms: Bloody Mary, BM
Habitat
Captive-bred from Neocaridina davidi stock. The line is robust and adapts to standard mature planted aquaria with neutral, moderately mineralised water; the natural species range covers streams of Taiwan and southern China.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 20 L (5.3 US gal)
- Adult size: 2-3 cm
- Temperature: 20-26 °C (68-79 °F)
- pH: 6.5-7.5
- GH: 6-12 °dGH
- KH: 2-8 °dKH
- Lifespan: 1-2 years
Diet
A continuous biofilm grazer. Supplement with prepared shrimp food, blanched vegetables and the occasional protein offering. Feed conservatively to maintain water quality.
Compatibility
Peaceful and best kept in a species-only or shrimp-dominated tank. Suitable tankmates are Otocinclus, Pygmy Cory and Nerite Snails. Avoid cichlids, crayfish and larger fish. Like other N. davidi colour forms, Bloody Mary should not be mixed with other colour lines, as crossbreeding produces wild-type brown offspring.
Breeding
Easy to breed; the underlying-tissue pigmentation breeds true within the line. Berried females carry 20-30 eggs for roughly 30 days, and juveniles feed on biofilm from hatching.