Care
The beautiful Rili Shrimp is an aquarium cultivated form of Neocaridina davidi. These shrimp are highly social creatures and are best kept in large colonies. They are suitable for aquariums containing communities of small, peaceful fish only, as larger tankmates will regard them as a snack. These shrimps are excellent algae eaters and will browse on many different algae types. Highly recommended for planted aquaria, they will not damage the plants, but instead, large groups of this species will keep the leaves free from algae. Floating plants seem to be particularly favoured, and these shrimps can often be seen 'hanging around' in the plant cover near the water's surface. Like most species of shrimp, a high nitrate level will not be tolerated; ensure high standards of water quality are maintained at all times. Rili shrimp will moult regularly whilst growing, and the sudden appearance of perfectly formed shrimp casings on the floor of the aquarium can cause alarm to fishkeepers who have not seen this before. Once the shrimp has moulted, it will remain hidden for a time until the new shell hardens and it has a bit more protection.
Rili shrimps are available in a range of colours and these freely interbreed.
Feeding
Will browse on algae. Supplement the diet with specialist shrimp foods, algae wafers, sinking pellets, small frozen foods such as daphnia and baby brineshrimp. Vegetable matter such as blanched spinach.
Breeding
Rili shrimp often breed freely in the home aquarium given optimal conditions. Whilst they can be maintained in quite a wide range of water conditions, they do not tend to breed in water that is too acidic, or in water with a temperature below 21 °C. The eggs are held underneath the female until hatching takes place (approx. 1 month) and will be visible as a yellow area on the abdomen. Unlike some species, the young do not go through a larval stage and are instead, born as miniature replicas of the adult shrimp. Many aquarists like to cover the intakes of power filters with fine sponges to prevent the tiny youngsters from being drawn in.
