Black Rili Shrimp Neocaridina 2cm
Image for illustration purposes only. Exact colours, patterns, and size may vary between individuals.
Delivered alive, guaranteed
Live fish delivery is £20 per order, delivered Thursday, Friday or Saturday, arriving before 1:00pm on the day you choose at checkout. Packed by aquatic specialists and shipped overnight with a dedicated livestock courier, every fish is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee with automatic refunds. See How Live Fish Delivery Works for full details.
When will my fish arrive?
| Order placed | Delivery day |
|---|---|
| Up to Monday 11:00am | Thursday (that week) |
| Monday after 11:00am – Tuesday 11:00am | Friday (that week) |
| Tuesday after 11:00am – Wednesday 11:00am | Saturday (that week) |
| Wednesday after 11:00am – Sunday (any time) | Thursday (following week) |
Overview
The Black Rili Shrimp is a captive-bred form of the cherry shrimp with a jet-black head and tail separated by a clear or faintly blue midsection. Descended from wild Neocaridina davidi of Taiwan, it is hardy, breeds freely and grazes constantly. It suits beginners and anyone wanting bold contrast in a planted nano tank.
- Adult Size: Around 3 cm (1.2 in); females larger and rounder
- Lifespan: 1–2 years
Origin
- Native to: Taiwan and southern China; captive-bred colour form
- Habitat: Slow, weedy streams and ponds
Feeding
- Diet: Omnivorous grazer
- Preferred Foods: Biofilm, algae, shrimp pellets, blanched courgette, spinach, leaf litter
- Feeding Habits: Small pinch every two days; biofilm does the rest; remove leftovers
Tank Mates
- Best with: Other Neocaridina, small rasboras, Otocinclus, snails
- Avoid: Cichlids, larger barbs, loaches, predatory fish
Aggression & Behaviour
- Temperament: Completely peaceful
- Territoriality: None; happiest in groups of ten or more
Experience Level
- Difficulty: Beginner
- Challenges: Needs a fully cycled tank; sensitive to copper and ammonia
Water Parameters
- Water Type: Freshwater, moderately hard, stable
- Temperature: 18–26°C (64–79°F); cooler grows larger
- pH: 6.8–7.8
- Hardness: 6–12 dGH
- Flow: Slow, sponge filter ideal
- Tank Size: Minimum 20 litres for a starter group; 40 litres or more is far steadier
Final Notes
Rili patterns vary between individuals, and a colony left to breed will throw some solid black and clear offspring; cull or separate to keep the look. Breeding is easy with no larval stage, and females show a saddle of eggs behind the head. Keep copper-based medicines out of the tank, use a sponge filter and let a large group settle: black rili are hardy, prolific and striking against green plants.
Please Note
The livestock that is sold on our online site is not held in store at our Birchwood Aquatic Centre shop. Species sold at the Birchwood Aquatic Centre physical store may differ from ones available to order to your door.
Frequently Asked Questions
In insulated boxes designed for live transport, packed by aquatic specialists,
overnight with a licensed live-animal courier, arriving before 1pm.
It is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee.
Photograph it within 4 hours of delivery, email info@birchwoodaquaticcentre.co.uk with your order number, and the refund is processed automatically. The cover continues for 7 days after arrival.
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. You pick your day at checkout; please choose a day someone is home.
Yes. One basket, one checkout; the fish arrive with the specialist courier and the rest of your order ships as normal.
We can deliver to UK mainland only for live fish.
Follow the five-minute acclimatisation steps in our When Your Fish Arrive guide: float the bags, add tank water gradually, net the fish in, lights low, feed tomorrow.