Bloody Mary Shrimp

The Bloody Mary Shrimp is one of the most visually distinctive Neocaridina davidi colour forms, displaying a unique dark, wine-red translucent colouration quite different from the opaque red of Painted Fire Red or Cherry Shrimp. The body appears to glow with a deep, rich red that has an almost jewel-like quality when illuminated, and the transparency of the body wall gives a fascinating window into the animal's internal structure.

Despite its premium appearance, the Bloody Mary is as easy to keep as any other Neocaridina. It tolerates a wide range of water parameters and is highly adaptable to various tank setups. The darker red colouration is thought to be linked to a different genetic pathway than standard red Neocaridina, producing the characteristic dark, transparent red phenotype.

Bloody Mary Shrimp have become increasingly popular among shrimp keepers looking for something more unusual than standard Cherry Shrimp without the demanding water chemistry requirements of Caridina.

Water: 18–26°C, pH 6.5–7.5, GH 6–15, KH 2–8; dechlorinated tap water suitable. Tank: minimum 20 L, dark substrate and heavy planting enhances the deep red appearance. Feeding: biofilm, algae wafers, blanched vegetables, quality shrimp foods every 1–2 days. Breeding: easy; females carry 20–30 dark red eggs; fry independent in mature established tanks. Compatibility: peaceful; keep with similarly peaceful invertebrates and nano fish only.