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Species profile

Carbon Rili Shrimp

Neocaridina davidi

Common names: Carbon Rili Shrimp, Black Carbon Rili Shrimp, Carbon Rili Neocaridina

Pattern varietyNeocaridina Shrimp
Carbon Rili Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi)

Adult size

Up to 4 cm

Typical adult length 3–4 cm.

Up to 4 cm

Countries of origin

  • See all stock from China
  • See all stock from South Korea
  • See all stock from Taiwan
  • See all stock from Vietnam

Good fit for your tank?

Good fit for

  • Mature planted aquarium setups
  • Beginner shrimp keepers
  • Peaceful nano aquariums
  • Breeding colonies

Think carefully if

  • The aquarium contains shrimp-eating fish
  • The tank is newly cycled
  • You want to preserve another Neocaridina colour line
  • Water conditions change frequently

A black-and-clear Rili-pattern Neocaridina davidi line with contrasting dark head and tail regions.

Appearance and Identification

Dark charcoal to black pigmentation on the head and tail with a reduced-colour or translucent central body section.

Aquarium-trade Rili pattern of Neocaridina davidi. Pattern coverage and the use of the term Carbon vary between breeders.

Females are generally larger and have a broader abdomen used to carry eggs.

Tank Requirements

Suggested filter
About 80–100 litres an hour
Suggested heater
About 25–50 W for this tank
Minimum tank volume
20 litres
Minimum tank length
30 cm
Minimum group size
6
Recommended group size
10
Activity level
Moderate
Flow preference
Variable
Planting preference
Heavily planted
Hiding places
Yes
Jumping risk
Low

Use a mature, stable aquarium with biofilm, plant cover, protected filter intakes, and gentle flow. These shrimp are hardy, but new tanks, copper in water or medication, and sudden changes are the usual causes of loss.

Behaviour and Tankmates

Peaceful and continuously active as a surface grazer.

Not a schooling species, but normally kept as a colony.

Not normally territorial.

Small fish may consume shrimplets.

Check tankmates for this species

Water Parameters

Temperature
19–26 °C
pH
6.5–8
GH
6–12
KH
2–8
TDS
150–250
Stability importance
Very important

Maintain stable, mineralized freshwater with enough calcium and magnesium for reliable moulting. Acclimate slowly and avoid large TDS swings.

Parameter caveat
Stable conditions and careful acclimation matter more than repeatedly adjusting water to chase exact values.

Feeding

Diet types
Aufwuchs Grazer, Detritivore, Omnivore
Feeding frequency
Daily
Preferred foods
  • Mature biofilmPrimary grazing resource.
  • Soft algae growthGrazed from aquarium surfaces.
  • Leaf litterProvides grazing surface and decomposing material.
  • Prepared shrimp foodFeed sparingly.

An opportunistic grazer and detritivore consuming biofilm, algae, decomposing plant material, leaf litter, microorganisms, and other organic material.

Avoid leaving excess food in the aquarium.

Breeding

Breeding type
Direct Developer
Breeding difficulty
Very easy
Breeding temperature
22 °C
Breeding pH
7.2
Brood or egg count
Approximately 43–60 eggs
Incubation
18 days
Parental care
Maternal care
Baby foods
  • Mature biofilmContinuous food for hatchlings.
  • Fine powdered shrimp foodUse sparingly.

Females carry eggs beneath the abdomen until hatching. Development is direct, and hatchlings emerge as miniature shrimp.

Habitat and Origin

Geographic origin
Asia, China, South Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam
Natural habitat
Freshwater Stream, Pond, Slow River
Aquarium contexts
Freshwater Community, Nano Aquarium, Planted Tank, Shrimp Tank
Audience level
Beginner

Classification

Profile type
Pattern variety
Genus
Neocaridina
Family
Atyidae
Species group
Neocaridina Shrimp
Previous scientific names
Neocaridina heteropoda, Historical name still found in older aquarium-trade material., Neocaridina denticulata sinensis, Historical name used in older literature and hobby references.

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