Bloody Mary Shrimp

Bloody Mary Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi var. ‘Bloody Mary’) are a vibrant, selectively bred freshwater aquarium shrimp famous for their intense, deep blood-red to ruby-red coloration that gives them a dramatic, almost glowing appearance. Unlike opaque Fire Reds, Bloody Marys often have a translucent body with bright red tissues and pigmentation that pops vividly against dark substrates, green plants, or moss — making them a standout choice for adding bold color without overwhelming subtlety.

Key Features & Appearance

• Coloration: Rich, translucent-to-semi-opaque deep red (wine-red to crimson); high-grade lines show uniform, intense red with minimal fading or mottling for maximum vibrancy.
• Size: Adults reach about 1–1.2 inches (2.5–3 cm), with females slightly larger; juveniles color up quickly.
• Behavior: Peaceful, active scavengers that graze constantly on algae, biofilm, detritus, and decaying matter — fantastic natural tank cleaners. They form lively colonies (10+ recommended) and breed prolifically in good conditions.
• Lifespan: 1–2 years (up to 18–24 months) with stable care.

These hardy Neocaridina are beginner-friendly, adaptable, and low-maintenance, thriving in a wide range of setups while rewarding stable params with brilliant color and rapid population growth.

Care Requirements

• Tank Size: 5+ gallons minimum; 10+ gallons ideal for colony stability and easier parameter control.
• Water Parameters:
  • Temperature: 18–28°C (64–82°F); optimal 22–26°C (72–79°F).
  • pH: 6.5–8.0 (adaptable to most dechlorinated tap water).
  • GH: 6–12+ (harder water, GH 8+ preferred for best color intensity and shell strength).
  • KH: 2–8; TDS: 150–300 ppm.
• Setup Tips: Heavily planted tanks with moss (Java/Christmas), botanicals (Indian almond leaves, cholla wood), driftwood, and dark substrate enhance color pop and provide biofilm/grazing/hiding spots. Sponge filters protect shrimplets; avoid copper meds or strong currents.
• Diet: Omnivorous grazers; supplement with shrimp pellets, blanched veggies (zucchini, spinach), or algae wafers if needed — they clean up efficiently and rarely overfeed.
• Compatibility: Great in peaceful communities with small fish (tetras, rasboras, endlers), snails, or shrimp-only tanks. Avoid large/nippy predators; no aggressive species.

Breeding is super easy: Females develop a yellow/orange saddle, carry 20–50 eggs under the tail, and hatch shrimplets after ~3–4 weeks. Provide cover and stability for high fry survival — they multiply fast!

At Valley Aquatics, Bloody Mary Shrimp are a customer favorite for that deep, ruby-red glow with easy care