About Bloody Mary Shrimp
Bloody Mary Shrimp are a striking color morph of Neocaridina davidi that originated from the Chocolate shrimp line in Taiwan. What makes them truly unique among red Neocaridina varieties is that their brilliant red coloration comes from pigment within their body tissue rather than from their shell. This creates a distinctive translucent appearance with the color appearing to glow from within, earning them their dramatic name. Unlike Cherry Shrimp where the red pigment is deposited in the shell, Bloody Mary Shrimp have clear or very lightly pigmented shells with the red color concentrated in their internal tissue. This gives them a fundamentally different appearance - where Cherry Shrimp look painted, Bloody Mary Shrimp look illuminated. When light passes through them, you can often see their internal organs and the striking contrast between their clear shell and red tissue. As members of the hardy Neocaridina family, Bloody Mary Shrimp share the same excellent beginner-friendly characteristics as Cherry Shrimp. They adapt well to a wide range of water parameters, breed readily in captivity, and can thrive in most tap water conditions. Their unique coloration and reasonable care requirements make them an excellent choice for shrimp keepers who want something visually distinctive without the challenge of keeping more demanding species.
Quick Facts
Water Parameters for Bloody Mary Shrimp
Maintaining stable water parameters is crucial for the health and coloration of Bloody Mary Shrimp. As a Neocaridina species, they are relatively hardy and can tolerate a wider range of parameters than Caridina species.
| Parameter | Range | Optimal |
|---|---|---|
| TDS | 150-300 ppm | 180-250 ppm |
| GH | 4-14 dGH | 6-8 dGH |
| KH | 2-8 dKH | 2-5 dKH |
| pH | 6.5-8 | 6.8-7.5 |
| Temperature | 64-82°F (18-28°C) | 68-75°F |
Tank Setup for Bloody Mary Shrimp
- Minimum 5 gallon tank recommended, though 10+ gallons is better for stable parameters
- Use dark substrate to make their translucent red coloration pop
- Include plenty of live plants, especially mosses like Java Moss for grazing
- Sponge filters are ideal as they provide both filtration and biofilm surfaces
- Driftwood provides hiding spots and contributes beneficial tannins
Care Tips for Bloody Mary Shrimp
- Maintain stable water parameters - they tolerate a wide range but dislike rapid changes
- Keep in groups of at least 10 for best coloring and natural behavior
- Provide plenty of hiding spots with plants, moss, and driftwood
- A dark substrate can help their red coloration stand out more dramatically
- Feed a varied diet including quality shrimp foods and blanched vegetables
- Avoid copper-based medications which are lethal to all shrimp
- Perform small weekly water changes (10-15%) rather than large infrequent ones
Feeding Bloody Mary Shrimp
- Feed high-quality shrimp-specific foods 2-3 times per week
- Blanched vegetables like zucchini, spinach, and kale are excellent supplements
- Foods high in astaxanthin can help enhance their red coloration
- Biofilm from mature tank surfaces should be their primary food source
- Remove uneaten food after 2-3 hours to maintain water quality
Breeding Bloody Mary Shrimp
- Bloody Mary Shrimp breed true and offspring maintain the tissue-based red coloration
- Do not mix with other Neocaridina colors to preserve the unique genetics
- Females carry 20-30 eggs for approximately 30 days
- Shrimplets are born as miniature adults and can be left with the colony
- A well-established tank with biofilm is essential for shrimplet survival
Bloody Mary Shrimp Grading System
Bloody Mary Shrimp are commonly graded based on color intensity, coverage, and pattern quality. Higher grades typically command higher prices and are the result of selective breeding.
Standard Bloody Mary
Regular grade with visible red tissue coloration but may show some lighter areas or less intense color.
Characteristics
- Red tissue coloration visible
- Some translucent areas
- Color may vary in intensity
- Internal glow effect present
High Grade Bloody Mary
Premium grade with intense, consistent red tissue coloration throughout the entire body.
Characteristics
- Deep wine-red coloration
- Consistent color throughout body
- Strong internal glow effect
- No pale or washed-out areas
Grades listed from lowest to highest quality
Common Problems with Bloody Mary Shrimp
- Color fading can indicate stress, poor genetics, or inadequate diet - ensure stable conditions and quality food
- Mixing with Cherry Shrimp will dilute the bloodline and produce mixed-appearance offspring
- Sudden deaths often result from parameter swings - always match water temperature and chemistry during changes
- Failed molts indicate insufficient minerals in the water - supplement with calcium if needed
- Predation from fish is common - only keep with very small, peaceful fish species
Troubleshooting Bloody Mary Shrimp
Neocaridina are hardy but still sensitive to sudden parameter changes. Here are common problems to watch for:
Failed Molt: Shrimp Stuck in Shell
Understanding failed molts where shrimp cannot escape their old exoskeleton. Learn why it happens, why affected shrimp cannot be saved, and how to prevent future molt failures.
Why Are My Shrimp Dying?
Comprehensive triage guide for unexplained shrimp deaths. Learn to identify the cause and take immediate action to save your remaining colony.
White Ring of Death in Shrimp
Understanding the dreaded white ring or white line that appears around a shrimp's body, signaling a fatal molting problem that cannot be reversed once visible.
Baby Shrimp (Shrimplets) Dying
Why newborn shrimp disappear or die when adult shrimp seem healthy. Covers filter intake, predation, starvation, and sensitivity issues specific to shrimplets.
Bacterial Infection in Shrimp
Identifying and treating bacterial infections in aquarium shrimp. Learn to recognize symptoms and understand why prevention through water quality is more effective than treatment.
Planaria in Shrimp Tank
Identifying and eliminating planaria flatworms that prey on shrimp, especially shrimplets. Learn safe treatment methods that won't harm your colony.
Bloody Mary Shrimp FAQ
The key difference is where the red color comes from. Cherry Shrimp have red pigment in their shell, making them appear opaque and painted. Bloody Mary Shrimp have red pigment in their body tissue with a clear shell, giving them a translucent, glowing appearance. Bloody Mary Shrimp descended from the Chocolate line rather than the red Cherry line.
Yes, they can interbreed since both are Neocaridina davidi. However, this is not recommended as it will dilute the unique Bloody Mary genetics, and offspring may lose the distinctive tissue-based coloration. Keep them in separate tanks to maintain pure breeding lines.
Color loss can result from stress (poor water quality, parameter swings), inadequate diet lacking color-enhancing foods, or simply genetics. Ensure stable parameters, feed foods containing astaxanthin, and source shrimp from reputable breeders with strong genetics.
Yes! Despite their premium appearance, Bloody Mary Shrimp are just as hardy as regular Cherry Shrimp. They tolerate a wide range of water parameters, breed easily, and don't require specialized equipment like RO water or active substrate.
A dark substrate like black sand or dark gravel is ideal as it provides excellent contrast for their translucent red coloration. Unlike Caridina shrimp, they don't require buffering substrates and do well with inert substrates.
Females are larger (up to 1.5 inches) with a curved underside for carrying eggs. Males are smaller (about 1 inch) and slimmer. Mature females display a saddle (egg formation area) behind their head, visible through their translucent body.
Bloody Mary Shrimp were selectively bred in Taiwan from the Chocolate shrimp line, which itself came from wild Neocaridina davidi. The unique tissue-based red coloration was discovered as a mutation and then stabilized through selective breeding.
Track Your Bloody Mary Shrimp Parameters
Stop guessing. Start tracking. ShrimpKeeper gives you species-specific parameter ranges, instant diagnostics, and historical graphs for your Bloody Mary Shrimp colony.