Bloody Mary Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi)
Bloody Mary shrimp are one of the most elegant Neocaridina varieties, valued for their deep ruby red coloration and slightly translucent appearance. Their unique tone differs from more opaque red shrimp, creating a refined visual effect where the red coloration appears rich, glossy, and vibrant under aquarium lighting.
As a selectively bred variant of Neocaridina davidi, Bloody Mary shrimp are appreciated for their stable genetics, adaptability, and calm temperament, making them suitable for both beginners and experienced shrimp keepers.
Their distinctive coloration provides beautiful contrast in planted aquariums and complements natural aquascapes with wood, botanicals, and moss.
Appearance
High quality Bloody Mary shrimp display a deep wine-red coloration that appears slightly translucent rather than fully opaque. This gives the shrimp a luminous appearance, especially under soft lighting.
Females typically develop deeper coloration and grow slightly larger than males. Mature specimens often show the strongest intensity of color.
Color expression may vary depending on genetics, diet, and aquarium stability, with well-established colonies often producing consistently coloured offspring.
Behaviour and natural grazing
Bloody Mary shrimp are active grazers that constantly search surfaces for natural food sources, including:
• biofilm
• micro algae
• organic particles
• decaying plant material
Providing moss, wood, leaf litter, and natural textures encourages grazing behaviour and supports colony health.
Their peaceful temperament makes them suitable for shrimp-focused aquariums and carefully selected community setups.