TankBud

Variety of Neocaridina shrimp

Rili shrimp

Neocaridina davidi

One of 11 varieties of Neocaridina davidi · See all varieties →

FreshwaterShrimp

Rili shrimp (Neocaridina davidi)
Casualhorse · CC BY 4.0

Varieties · Neocaridina davidi

See all 11 →

Care at a glance

Temperature
59–84°F
15–29°C
pH
6.5–8.0
Adult size
1.6 in
4 cm
Minimum tank
5 gal
19 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Beginner
Breeding
Egg carrier · Easy
Rarity
Common
Family
Atyidae
Origin
Taiwan

Overview

The Rili shrimp is a peaceful dwarf shrimp for the bottom of a small planted tank. It is easy to keep.

Did you know

The rili pattern is a trait, not a species. Rili shrimp have a clear band across the middle of the body, with solid color at the front and back. That clear gap can shift or fade from one generation to the next.

Caring for the Rili shrimp

Keep Rili shrimp in a group, and the more the better, since they feel secure in numbers and build a stronger colony. A small planted tank of 5 gal (19 L) or more suits them, with moss, some hardscape and a mature surface for grazing. They stay on the bottom and across the plants.

They handle 59 to 84°F (15 to 29°C) and a pH of 6.5 to 8.0. Steady warmth in the low to mid 20s C is easiest, and stable water matters more than chasing exact numbers.

Rili shrimp pick at algae, biofilm and leftover food. The odd blanched vegetable or shrimp pellet rounds out the diet. They molt as they grow, stay soft for a few hours afterward, and then eat the cast shell for its minerals.

They are peaceful and best kept alone or with very small, calm fish that will not eat the babies. Females are usually larger and rounder than males, and they carry 20 to 40 eggs under the tail for three to four weeks. Fully formed shrimplets hatch with no larval stage, so Rili shrimp breed readily in fresh water. Cull the colony to hold the rili look, since the pattern can shift between generations.

Good to know

The Rili shrimp is a selectively bred line of Neocaridina davidi, the same species behind the common cherry shrimp. It is a freshwater dwarf shrimp in the family Atyidae. Adults typically live one to two years.

In the wild

Wild Neocaridina davidi come from streams and ponds in Taiwan and nearby parts of Asia. They sit on the bottom among plants, leaf litter and surfaces covered in biofilm.

Color lines

Rili is a pattern, not a color: a solid head and tail with a clear midsection, bred from every Neocaridina color line. Shops name the lines by color, and every one wants the same water as the rest of the species.

Red
from the cherry line; the original rili
Orange
from the orange line
Carbon
black or charcoal head and tail; also sold as black rili
Blue
from the blue lines; often a paler clear middle
Green
from the green jade line; the rarest of the five

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The Rili shrimp is a peaceful, social species that keeps to the bottom. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

Is a Rili shrimp a different species from the Neocaridina shrimp?

No. A Rili shrimp is a variety of the Neocaridina shrimp, Neocaridina davidi, and it wants the same tank, water and food as the species.

What size tank does a Rili shrimp need?

A Rili shrimp needs at least 5 gal (19 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What does a Rili shrimp eat?

A Rili shrimp picks at algae, biofilm and leftover food. Round out its diet with the odd blanched vegetable or shrimp pellet.

How big does a Rili shrimp get?

An adult Rili shrimp reaches about 1.6 in (4 cm).

How can you tell a male Rili shrimp from a female?

Female Rili shrimp are usually larger and rounder than males. A female with eggs carries them under her tail.

How does a Rili shrimp breed?

A female Rili shrimp carries 20 to 40 eggs under her tail for three to four weeks. Fully formed shrimplets hatch with no larval stage, so a colony breeds readily in fresh water.

Related species