Chocolate Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi
Also known as Carbon Rili shrimp, Chocolate Neocaridina, Brown rili shrimp
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 64–82°F (18–28°C)
- pH
- 6.5–8.0
- Adult size
- 1.6 in (4 cm)
- Minimum tank
- 5 gal (20 L)
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Social
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Breeding
- Easy
- Rarity
- Rare
- Origin
- A captive bred color line of the dwarf shrimp Neocaridina davidi, whose wild form lives in freshwater streams and ponds across eastern China and Taiwan.
- Family
- Atyidae
Overview
Keep a chocolate colony in 20 L or more of stable, cycled water at 18 to 28 C and a pH of 6.5 to 8.0, with plants and biofilm. House them with small peaceful fish or other dwarf shrimp only. They breed readily like all Neocaridina. Feed biofilm, algae, blanched vegetables and occasional shrimp pellets.
In the wild
The chocolate, sometimes sold as carbon rili, is a dark brown line of Neocaridina davidi ranging from warm cocoa to near black. Rili patterned individuals show a clearer band across the middle of the body. Care matches every other Neocaridina color, easy and hardy. The dark color stands out against a light substrate and green plants.
Good to know
Chocolate and carbon rili are the same dark brown Neocaridina davidi line, with rili simply describing the broken, banded color pattern. It shares its care and genetics with all other Neocaridina colors. Dark lines can throw lighter or wild colored young, so keepers cull to hold the color.
Did you know
Because brown is close to the wild Neocaridina color, chocolate lines are some of the easiest to accidentally recreate when mixed color colonies interbreed.
Where to buy
Some links may not be the exact species or variety.
- Aquatic Arts Freshwater fish, shrimp and snails with an arrive-alive guarantee
- Aqua Huna Freshwater fish, shrimp and plants with a three day live arrival guarantee
…or ask your local fish store.
Appears in
Keeping Chocolate Shrimp?
Track water tests, reminders and stocking fit.
Related species
Blue Dream Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi1.6 in (4 cm)5 gal (20 L)64–82°F (18–28°C)
Blue Velvet Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi1.6 in (4 cm)5 gal (20 L)59–84°F (15–29°C)
Cherry Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi1.6 in (4 cm)5 gal (20 L)59–84°F (15–29°C)
Orange Neocaridina
Neocaridina davidi1.6 in (4 cm)5 gal (20 L)59–84°F (15–29°C)
Yellow Neocaridina
Neocaridina davidi1.6 in (4 cm)5 gal (20 L)59–84°F (15–29°C)Bloody Mary Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi1.6 in (4 cm)5 gal (20 L)64–82°F (18–28°C)