Red Rili shrimp (Neocaridina davidi var. red rili) are red Neocaridina with clear, see-through patches across the middle of the body, which gives them a striking two-tone, banded look. They are as easy to keep as cherry shrimp but far more distinctive, and these are home-bred by Ayr Aquatics in Ayr, South Ayrshire.
This listing is for a pack of 5 Red Rili shrimp. A 5-pack is ideal if you want to try the variety, add colour or new bloodlines to an existing Red Rili colony, or stock a small nano tank of 10–20 litres. With five shrimp you will usually get both males and females, but if breeding is your main goal we recommend the 10- or 20-pack for a guaranteed mix.
The Rili pattern means red on the head and tail with a clear section in between. The best Red Rili show clean, sharp separation between the red and clear areas. As with any patterned shrimp there is natural variation: some shrimp carry more red, some more clear. Females tend to show the boldest red.
Red Rili are a great choice if you love cherry shrimp but want something that looks different. The pattern shows up beautifully against plants and dark substrate, they breed readily, and you can keep selecting your best-patterned shrimp to improve the line.
Keeping the line pure: Keep Red Rili with other Red Rili to keep the pattern. If you cross them with Red Cherries the young may lose the clear banding and turn solid red. If you cross them with other colours they will drift back to wild-type brown.
Add them to a fully cycled tank only, with zero ammonia and nitrite. Shrimp are sensitive to copper, so check any plant fertilisers or medications before using them. Use dechlorinated tap water and do small, regular water changes of 10–20% a week rather than large ones. Moss, plants, cholla wood and Indian almond leaves give them biofilm to graze on and hiding places when moulting. Feed a quality shrimp food every day or two, in amounts they finish within a couple of hours, plus the occasional blanched vegetable.
Float the bag for 20–30 minutes to match temperature, then drip-acclimatise slowly over 1–2 hours before netting the shrimp into the tank. Do not pour the bag water into your aquarium. Keep the lights low for the first day and do not worry if they hide at first. That is normal.
What does Rili mean in shrimp?
Rili describes the pattern: coloured head and tail with a clear, transparent middle section.
Are Red Rili shrimp easy to keep?
Yes. They are the same species as Red Cherry shrimp and just as hardy.
What do Red Rili eat?
Biofilm, soft algae, shrimp pellets, blanched vegetables and leaf litter. Feed small amounts every day or two.
Sent Royal Mail Tracked 24, Monday to Wednesday only so nothing sits in a depot over the weekend. Insulated packaging with heat or cool packs depending on the weather, marked LIVE ANIMALS. Buy more than one pack and you only pay postage once. Collection from Ayr is also available.
Live animals cannot be returned. Dead on arrival guarantee: if any shrimp arrive dead, send us a photo of the unopened bag within 2 hours of delivery and we will refund or replace them.
You will receive 5 healthy, mixed-sex juvenile to young adult Red Rili shrimp, approx 1–2cm. Also available in packs of 5, 10 and 20 from Ayr Aquatics on UK Shrimp.