Chocolate Rili Shrimp

Neocaridina davidi

📍 Taiwan / selective breeding

Chocolate Rili Shrimp are a striking color morph of Neocaridina davidi, featuring a rich chocolate-brown body with bright red or orange banding along the legs and antennae. This distinctive two-tone pattern makes them highly sought after by aquarists. They are hardy, peaceful, and excellent for planted tanks and community setups.

Size1.5"

Min Tank5g

School10+

peaceful

Zonebottom

Care Guide

Diet

Chocolate Rili Shrimp are primarily detritivores that graze on biofilm, algae, and decaying plant matter throughout the day. Supplement with high-quality shrimp pellets (Shirakura, Mosura), blanched vegetables (zucchini, spinach, kale), and occasional protein sources like dried seaweed or bloodworm powder. Feed small amounts 2-3 times weekly; they will forage naturally between feedings.

Behavior

These shrimp are active grazers that spend most of their time foraging on substrate and plants. They are social and thrive in groups, displaying natural colony dynamics with minimal aggression. Molting occurs every 4-6 weeks; provide plenty of hiding spots and mineral-rich water to support successful shell hardening.

Breeding

Chocolate Rili Shrimp breed readily in standard freshwater conditions without requiring acidic or soft water, making them ideal for beginners. Females produce 20-30 shrimplets per cycle, which are born fully-formed and immediately independent. High survival rates occur in established planted tanks with minimal predation.

Tank Mates

Otocinclus

Peaceful algae eater that shares bottom-dwelling niche without competing or preying on shrimp

excellent

Ember Tetra

Small, non-aggressive fish that occupy mid-water column and ignore shrimp

excellent

Chili Rasbora

Tiny, peaceful fish that pose no threat to adult or juvenile shrimp

excellent

Red Cherry Shrimp

Compatible congener; may interbreed producing varied color morphs

good

Amano Shrimp

Larger shrimp species; generally peaceful but may compete for food

good

Java Moss

Provides ideal grazing surface, shelter, and biofilm production for colony

excellent

Common Diseases

Molting Failure / Shell Disease

Symptoms

Shrimp unable to shed exoskeleton, lethargy, curved posture, death within days

Treatment

Increase mineral content via GH booster or specialized shrimp mineral supplements; ensure adequate calcium; perform 25% water changes weekly; provide iodine-rich foods like seaweed

Bacterial Infection / Muscular Necrosis

Symptoms

White patches on body, discolored spots, loss of limbs, lethargy, rapid decline

Treatment

Perform 50% water change immediately; remove affected individuals to quarantine; increase aeration; add Indian almond leaves for tannins; maintain pristine water parameters (0 ammonia, <20 ppm nitrate)

Vorticella (Ciliate Infection)

Symptoms

Fuzzy white coating on body and antennae, reduced feeding, lethargy

Treatment

Increase water flow and aeration; perform daily 30% water changes; add salt-free treatments or raise temperature slightly to 26-28 C (79-82 F); ensure biofilm-rich environment

Copper Toxicity

Symptoms

Sudden death, erratic swimming, loss of color, molting failure

Treatment

Use only copper-free medications and fertilizers; avoid tap water with high copper content; perform immediate 50% water change with RO or dechlorinated water; use activated carbon in filter